Q1 2020: Supporting Funky Chicken Rescue

100% of net proceeds from my Etsy Shop will benefit a different 501(c)(3) farm animal rescue/ sanctuary each quarter. From January through March 2020, Sanka Family Farm Etsy Shop sales supported Funky Chicken Rescue in Vacaville, California.

Funky Chicken Rescue is an all-animal rescue in Vacaville, CA, with over 150 rescued chickens, plus rescued dogs, cats, alpacas, and horses. Darcy Smith and her family have been running the rescue and sanctuary on their property since 2017, taking in animals from the SPCA, shelters, other rescues, feedlots, and individuals looking to rehome their animals. They have helped many victims of the California Wildfires, giving animals affected and burned by the fires temporary and permanent homes. They specialize in chickens with disabilities: blind chickens, cross-beak chickens, and even chickens in wheelchairs. All the animals Darcy and her team rescue live our their lives happily on the Funky Chicken Rescue ranch.

Named for a special rescue chicken, Funky, who has since passed away from cancer, Funky Chicken Rescue is also involved in the local community. They give eggs to a local food pantry, take chickens to memory care facilities for “chicken therapy” and cuddles with residents, and have school groups visit the ranch to see, touch, and learn about these wonderful, cherished animals.

“People have no idea how sweet chickens are because they don’t have experience with them. Just like how you love your dog or cat, you love a chicken in the same way,” Darcy says. “Chickens are sweet, loving and have their own personalities. They’re a forgotten animal that a lot of people just throw away if they’re not laying.”

As you can imagine, feeding and caring for so many special animals is expensive. In September 2018, Darcy formed a 501(c)(3) for Funky Chicken Rescue, to ensure that all money raised goes directly to the animals.

And that’s where we – you and I – came in to help.

From January – March 2020, when you purchased handmade soaps, lip balms, skin salves, reusable grocery bags crafted from chicken feed sacks, and more from my Etsy store or from us at in-person markets, at least $1 from every single item sold went to support Funky Chicken. I donate 100% of net profits to charity, sending the beneficiary organization funds on a monthly basis, and reporting the amount raised on the Sanka Family Farm Facebook page. You can read more about how and why I started doing this here.

Over the 3 months, together we raised $486 for Funky Chicken Rescue! We raised $136 through Etsy sales, and I also did a Facebook birthday fundraiser for them, raising $350, thanks to my generous friends and family.

To keep up-to-date on all the animal antics at Funky Chicken Rescue, follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Here are some of the beautiful residents of Funky Chicken Rescue.