THIS SATURDAY: Nathan Runkle to Speak at Sunrise Sanctuary Benefit

Since 2001, Sunrise Sanctuary has been a haven to neglected animals of all sizes, from rats to rabbits to pigs and cows,  in Marysville, Ohio.  The sanctuary was founded by Mindy Malett, who received the 2009 Hope Award from Mercy For Animals for her work as a dedicated animal caretaker. Today, the 16-acre space is home to over 170 previously abused and neglected animals.

This coming Saturday, April 26, Nathan Runkle, founder and executive director of Mercy For Animals, will be giving a speech at a benefit for Sunrise Sanctuary. A Ohio native himself, Nathan co-founded Mercy For Animals at a young age, and for a decade has championed animal advocacy and veganism. Nathan is one of the youngest inductees (at age twenty-five) into the the US Animal Rights Hall of Fame.

Tickets are currently available online, and with a bonus: ticket holders are welcome to an open house at Sunrise Sanctuary on May 4 to visit the animals and receive some sloppy cow kisses from Wesley, who not only acts like a big dog, but is best friends with a dog, Chance. They were once the same size, but Wesley is now a healthy 2,000 pounds.

The event will take place at Studio 35 in Columbus, Ohio. It begins at 2PM, but you will want to arrive at 1:30 when the doors open, because local vegan business Pattycakes Bakery will be offering up some of their treats for attendees.  Sunrise Sanctuary has purchased a bank of tickets for those who cannot afford one at this time. You can reach out to the group for one of these reserved tickets.

If you cannot attend, please considering reading about the many residents at Sunrise Sanctuary and sponsoring an animal, or someday visiting and volunteering. No matter the task, just letting others know what this small organization does for animals will lead others to know the stories of the sanctuary animals, what they’ve been through, and more importantly, what has been done for them at their new home.