Give Mom a Barn Buddy for Mother's Day

May 9th 2010

Show Mom you appreciate all her love and affection by giving her a present that honors her nurturing nature – and helps needy animals.

At the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch near St. Louis, Missouri, you can support their rescue and rehabilitation efforts by giving your mom a potbellied pig, a thoroughbred quarter horse cross, or even Juniper, the miniature donkey pictured with her mother here. The gift comes in the form of a Barn Buddy sponsorship which helps cover the cost of feeding and caring for the 350 neglected horses and farm animals who live at -- or move through -- the ranch after having either been rescued from abusive homes or turned away by owners.

The 165-acre ranch, a division of the Humane Society of Missouri, offers other Barn Buddies for sponsorship including a hen, duck, goose, sheep, miniature steer, llama, pygmy goat, and several miniature and regular horses -- all with amazing rescue stories. The gifts can range from $25-$2,400 depending on the animal and the length of the sponsorship and include a certificate, a biography card and a frame and color photo of your Barn Buddy.

Juniper, the miniature donkey, is a true Mother's Day gift -- she's celebrating her first birthday today. Juniper's mom Cypress came to the ranch in August 2008 as part of one of the Humane Society of Missouri's largest rescues. She was underweight with malformed hooves and a huge growth that blocked her vision. Today she's healthy and enjoys being a mom to her bold and playful filly Juniper, who was born into a much happier life because of animal lovers like you.

For more information about sponsoring a Barn Buddy or to watch one of the Ranch Cams showing the lives of these animals, go to longmeadowrescueranch.org.