Most long-term residents of the greater Wilmington area know about Poplar Grove Plantation; fewer know about the Poplar Grove Animal Sanctuary, home to more than 20 different species of animals in some stage of rehabilitation.
The inaugural Trails for Tails 5K Saturday, Dec. 6, will serve as the first fundraiser for the sanctuary and as a way for the organization to raise awareness about its mission of rescue, rehabilitation and education.
Betha Knight began volunteering at the sanctuary in 2013 after it was designated an equine rescue and said the sanctuary’s primary issue is awareness.
“The problem that we are having as far as maintaining it and turning it into a viable sanctuary is getting the word out that it exists,” Knight said.
With the equine rescue accreditation, Knight said the sanctuary is helping to rehabilitate malnourished and mistreated horses like the six currently on site. Three of the horses came from Sampson County and were severely malnourished, and another just returned from shoulder surgery performed at North Carolina State University. Knight said the bills add up with the food, treatment and medical expenses needed for the mistreated horses.
In addition to horses, the other animals that share the sanctuary space include pigs, goats, donkeys, ducks, geese, rabbits, sheep, lambs, cats and a Jersey cow named Bessie.
“We either put them out for adoption if they are adoptable or they will just stay and live,” Knight said. “We have a lot of property out here and . . . everybody is so amazed that all these animals are free roaming and live together. It is like a soap opera because they all have so much personality.”
The 5K and fun run will take place in the nearby Abbey Nature Preserve the morning of Dec. 6. Afterward, food from Poor Piggy’s BBQ and Catering and Jersey Mike’s Subs will be available for purchase as will crafts from vendors. Free information from nonprofits like the New Hanover County Animal Control, Cape Fear Raptor Center and Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary will be distributed.
Bessie the Jersey Cow will be one of the stars of the day during Bessie’s cow pie bingo. A raffle game popular in Texas, Knight said 250 squares in a grid will be sold at $20 each and the sponsor of the first square in which Bessie makes a pie will win $2,500 with the other $2,500 donated to the Poplar Grove sanctuary.
For the first ever race and fundraiser for the sanctuary, Knight said she just hopes to make people aware of its ongoing projects and needs.
“My primary objective is awareness; I grew up here and I didn’t know this existed,” she said. “It is something positive, and how often can you turn on the news and find something positive? It is a sanctuary for people as well as the animals.”
For more information and to register for the race, visit www.poplargrove.org/animal-sanctuary
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