Animal sanctuary in St George seeks a permanent home |
Farm animal rescue and care for rescued calves |
For the animals at The Salty Sanctuary, the search for a permanent home is about more than a change of address.
It is about keeping a farm animal rescue near St. George steady when rent and daily care already stretch its resources.
Founder Emily Potter cares for nearly 30 animals on leased land in Diamond Valley, north of St. George in Washington County. Her charges include cows, horses, a miniature mule, a llama, goats, a sheep and chickens.
Potter did not grow up around cattle, but learning about the separation of dairy cows and their calves changed how she saw them.
As a mother, she found the idea especially painful and began looking for a practical way to help. That decision became calf rescue, with Potter taking in five sick young cows from a Utah dairy farmer.
The calves arrived only days old with pneumonia, and she bottle-fed them through a vulnerable start. Her goal, she says, is not to shut down farms but to care for animals she can reach.
That focus grew during another difficult chapter, when Potter's mother was facing ovarian cancer.
Potter created a clothing brand called Salty as an outlet for fear, anger and support for her mother. She later carried the name into the sanctuary, turning a personal expression of resilience into a commitment to animals.
Now the hardest part of that commitment may be finding stable ground for the rescue itself.
The sanctuary began in the St. George area, moved properties and has continued to rely on leased land. Potter travels from her St. George home to Diamond Valley to tend the animals, making each day's care dependent on a commute.
Rent has risen, she says, while feed, supplements and veterinary needs remain expenses the nonprofit cannot put off.
For an animal sanctuary housing older and recovering animals, a permanent property could replace some of that uncertainty with room to plan.
Potter has identified a possible property in northern Utah, though its roughly $1 million price presents a formidable fundraising challenge. A purchase would also mean leaving the Washington County area where the rescue has operated for years.
That is no small trade-off for a sanctuary rooted near St. George, even if ownership promises greater security.
Potter is raising money for animal care while pursuing the larger goal of a lasting home. Her concern is immediate as well as long-term: when bad weather arrives, she wants to be close enough to comfort an older horse.
It is an ordinary moment, but it captures why permanent shelter matters beyond a property deed.
For Potter, the animals have already found care; the unresolved question is where that care can safely continue. |
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Never really thought about farm animal rescues before. This is different from a typical shelter and sounds like harder work honestly.
T. BybeeYeah the scale of it is what gets me. A dog or cat shelter is one thing but cows and horses need a lot more space, feed, and vet care. The costs must be huge.
Would be nice to see the St George community step up with donations so she does not have to relocate at all.
Grew up in Diamond Valley and there is actually some nice land out there. Makes sense she ended up in that area.
colt_mesaOh interesting, good to hear from someone who knows the area. Is it pretty rural out there? Sounds like it would be ideal for something like this.
As a mom I totally get why the dairy calf thing hit her so hard. It would have the same effect on me.
Good cause but a million dollar property goal seems really out of reach for a 30 animal operation on donated funds.
Does anyone know if they accept volunteers out in Diamond Valley? Would love to help out on weekends.
She mentioned wanting to be close enough to comfort an older horse during bad weather. That really got me.
Mike SorensenSame. It sounds like such a small thing but that is exactly the kind of moment that shows why the commute from St. George every day must be exhausting for her.
Rising rent is killing small rescues everywhere. Same thing happened to a dog rescue I used to volunteer at.
Miniature mule and a llama living together. That is a combo I need to see in person honestly.
britt_kHa right?? I had no idea miniature mules were even a thing until I read this. Would love to visit if they ever do open days or anything like that.
Good for her but I hope the new property plans don't mean the animals leave this area for good.
Randy TorgersonThat was my first thought too. A million dollar property up north sounds like a whole different world from Diamond Valley. Hope she finds a way to make it work locally.
The story behind the name Salty is really touching. Going through her mom's cancer diagnosis and turning that into something good says a lot about her.
Meg L.Right? Most people would just shut down during something like that. She turned it into fuel for something bigger. Really admire that.
A million dollars is a lot to raise for a nonprofit. Has she looked into any agricultural grants through the state?
Hope she can find a way to stay in Washington County. Would hate to see this move all the way up north.
Carol WhitmanAgreed. She has been operating in this area for years and it would be a real loss for the community if she had to relocate that far away.
Diamond Valley is a bit of a drive from St George. That commute every single day would wear me out.
Emily sounds like an incredible person. Bottle feeding sick calves that are only days old is no joke.
Tammy R.Seriously. Newborn calves with pneumonia, in the middle of all the stress with her mom. I have no idea how she managed that.