Help Feed 400+ Rescued Animals

Twice every day.

Every morning.
Every evening.
365 days a year.

Dan feeds more than 400 rescued animals who call Outsiders Farm & Sanctuary home. Over 300 pigs, along with goats, cows, and many other rescued residents, depend on him to deliver hundreds of pounds of feed across 12 acres of uneven, muddy terrain.

For years, that job has depended on one thing: a reliable feed vehicle.

Unfortunately, we no longer have one.

This is one of the most urgent fundraisers we've ever launched. Dan currently has no reliable feed vehicle, and every day we spend fundraising is another day he is forced to feed more than 400 rescued animals without the equipment needed to do so safely and efficiently.

Like so many small nonprofits, we've always tried to stretch every donor dollar as far as possible. Instead of purchasing a brand-new utility vehicle, we bought used ones. Our first was a used Kawasaki Mule, followed by two older utility vehicles affectionately known as Meep #1 and Meep #2.

Those vehicles served this sanctuary well, and we are incredibly grateful to every donor who helped make them possible.

But they were already more than 30 years old when we purchased them.

Over the years, volunteer mechanics have donated hundreds of hours replacing parts, troubleshooting electrical problems, and keeping them running as long as possible. Every repair bought us a little more time, but eventually age and constant farm use caught up with them.

This past weekend, Meep #2 broke down repeatedly while Dan was trying to feed the animals. What should have been a routine morning feeding became a three-hour delay. Instead of driving feed to each pasture, Dan carried hundreds of pounds of feed by hand through the heat while more than 400 hungry animals waited for breakfast.

This isn't sustainable.

A dependable utility vehicle isn't a luxury for a sanctuary like ours.

It is one of the most important pieces of equipment we own.

We're asking for your help to purchase a new Kawasaki Mule with a manufacturer's warranty so we can spend less time repairing vehicles and more time caring for the animals.

Our fundraising goal of $14,500 covers the cost of the vehicle, taxes, and dealer fees. Once Dan has a reliable feed vehicle again, our volunteer mechanics will continue working on both Meeps. If they can be repaired well enough to sell, every dollar from those sales will go directly toward our Winter Hay Fund.

If you've ever wondered how you could help every single animal at Outsiders Farm & Sanctuary with one gift, this is it.

Every donation—whether it's $5, $50, or $500—helps ensure that more than 400 rescued animals receive their meals safely, efficiently, and on time.

Thank you for believing in this mission.

Thank you for believing in second chances.

And thank you for helping us keep Dan rolling.

Campaign Goal: $14,500

What your gift helps provide:

• A dependable feed vehicle built for daily farm use.
• Safe, timely feeding for more than 400 rescued animals.
• Reduced repair costs and less downtime.
• A long-term investment in the sanctuary's daily operations.

Please scroll down for answers to our most frequently asked questions about this fundraiser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you asking for another feed vehicle? Didn't donors already help purchase the Meeps?

Yes, and we are incredibly grateful for that support.

Unfortunately, both Meeps were already over 30 years old (1990 and 1991 models) when we purchased them. We intentionally bought used vehicles because they cost significantly less than purchasing new. Our hope was to stretch every donor dollar while still giving Dan the equipment he needed to safely feed over 400 rescued animals.

For a time, they served us well.

But years of daily use on rough farm terrain, combined with their age, have caught up with them. Both vehicles have required repeated repairs, and we have now reached the point where they are no longer reliable enough to depend on for feeding every day.

Did you seek corporate sponsorships or donations before asking the public?

Yes.

For the past two years, our Board Chair has made this a priority.

She has mailed corporate sponsorship packets, sent emails, made phone calls, and reached out directly to utility vehicle manufacturers, dealerships, and businesses in hopes of securing a donated vehicle, sponsorship, or meaningful discount.

Unfortunately, despite those efforts, we were unable to secure assistance.

We truly appreciate every company that took the time to speak with us, but no manufacturer or dealership was able to provide a donated vehicle or pricing that made purchasing one realistic for our small nonprofit.

After exhausting those avenues, we are now turning to the people who have always believed in this mission, our incredible community of supporters.

Why not just repair the Meeps?

We've been trying.

For years, our incredible volunteers and local mechanics have donated countless hours diagnosing problems, replacing parts, cleaning components, troubleshooting electrical issues, and consulting with experts.

Unfortunately, every repair has only been temporary.

Both vehicles are now suspected to have internal engine problems, and continuing to invest thousands of dollars into 30-plus-year-old machines simply isn't the best stewardship of donor funds.

Why not buy another used vehicle instead of a new one?

That's exactly what we've done every single time.

Every utility vehicle we've owned has been purchased secondhand to save money.

While that approach initially saved thousands of dollars, it has also resulted in years of expensive repairs, constant breakdowns, delayed feedings, and hundreds of volunteer hours spent trying to keep aging equipment running.

At this point, we believe purchasing one dependable vehicle with a manufacturer's warranty is actually the more responsible long-term investment.

Why does it have to be a Kawasaki Mule?

We aren't asking for a luxury vehicle.

We're asking for a utility vehicle specifically designed for agricultural work.

A Kawasaki Mule is built to haul heavy feed, navigate rough terrain, and withstand daily farm use. It will be used every single morning and every single evening to feed more than 400 rescued animals across our 12-acre sanctuary.

This isn't a recreational purchase—it's an essential piece of farm equipment.

Why don't you just use a wagon or wheelbarrow?

Before we owned a utility vehicle, that's exactly what Dan did.

After years of experience, we know it simply isn't safe or sustainable. Feeding more than 400 rescued animals means transporting hundreds of pounds of feed twice every day across uneven terrain.

Hungry pigs can easily overturn a wagon, and Dan has been knocked down, trampled, and had feed spilled while trying to feed excited animals.

A dependable utility vehicle isn't about convenience—it's about safety, efficiency, and making sure every animal gets fed on time.

What happens to the Meeps?

We have no intention of simply getting rid of them.

Once Dan has a dependable feed vehicle, our volunteer mechanics will continue working to repair both Meeps.

If we can get them running well enough to sell, every dollar from those sales will go directly toward our Winter Hay Fund, reducing future fundraising needs.

Why is the fundraising goal approximately $14,500?

The Kawasaki Mule itself costs approximately $12,749 before taxes and dealer fees.

Our fundraising goal also accounts for:

• Georgia sales tax
• Dealer setup and documentation fees
• Title and registration (if applicable)

We want to raise enough to cover the actual cost of purchasing the vehicle so we don't have to come back later asking for additional funds.

Could this money be better spent on veterinary care?

Healthy animals still need to eat.

Dan feeds more than 400 rescued animals twice every day, every day of the year.

Without a dependable feed vehicle, feedings take significantly longer, become physically dangerous, and make it harder for us to respond to medical emergencies and complete the many other daily responsibilities required to operate the sanctuary.

This vehicle directly impacts the care every single animal receives.

Will the Mule only be used for feeding?

Feeding is its primary purpose, but it will also be used to:

• Transport feed, hay, and bedding.
• Deliver medications and medical supplies.
• Move fencing, tools, and equipment.
• Assist during medical emergencies.
• Support volunteers during work projects.
• Haul supplies across the sanctuary.

It will be one of the hardest-working pieces of equipment on the farm.

What if you raise more than the goal?

If we are blessed to exceed our fundraising goal, any remaining funds will be used for the sanctuary's daily operating expenses, including feed, hay, veterinary care, and other essential needs for the animals.

As always, we will continue to provide updates so donors know exactly how their generosity is making a difference.

Why don't you finance the vehicle?

As a small nonprofit, we work hard to avoid taking on debt whenever possible.

Monthly loan payments would reduce the funds available for animal feed, veterinary care, and other essential needs. Whenever we can, we choose to raise funds first so donor dollars go directly toward caring for the animals instead of paying interest.

How do you decide when it's time to ask for help?

We don't ask for new equipment simply because something is old—we ask when it has reached the point that it is no longer safe or reliable to care for the animals.

For years, we've stretched every dollar by purchasing used equipment, relying on volunteer mechanics, pursuing corporate sponsorships, and repairing what we already have.

This fundraiser isn't about replacing something that still works.

It's about ensuring the person who feeds more than 400 rescued animals every single day has dependable equipment to continue doing that safely.

If you've supported the Meeps in the past, please know your generosity was not wasted. Those vehicles served this sanctuary for years and allowed us to care for hundreds of animals that otherwise would have been fed by hand. We are grateful for every donation that kept them running as long as possible.

Now, after years of repairs and perseverance, it's simply time for a dependable solution that will allow us to focus less on fixing vehicles and more on caring for the animals who depend on us every day.