(from Newsletter)
As many of you already know, more and more development is headed northeast of Denver, toward The Wild Animal Sanctuary. When the Sanctuary round house was first built, it was the only structure for miles and miles. Now, "For Sale" signs are popping up on every road near the Sanctuary, houses are being built next door, and when you stand on the observation decks, you can most certainly see large housing developments coming closer and closer to the Animals' home.

For years, the Sanctuary has been trying to purchase adjacent land, for not only potential habitats, but also as a buffer to encroaching development. Fortunately, a few years ago we were able to stave-off thee development of 20 acres that was adjacent to the Sanctuary - via generous donations by supporters - which allowed us to purchase the parcel and have it become part of the facility.

However, we are still vulnerable to development on more sides of the Sanctuary, and we must secure land on these fronts to create the buffer needed to ensure the Sanctuary will not find itself in a situation where it would need to move.

Many acres adjacent to the Sanctuary have now been put on the market, and each parcel represents risk for the Sanctuary. The best investment we can make for the Animals is to purchase as much of this acreage as possible before it becomes dozens of 5-acre plots with houses. The cost of one of these sections of land is $300,000, and if we can raise the money for this 80 acre parcel, the owners have agreed to donate $25,000 back as an in-kind contribution.

We have put a $5,000 deposit on the land in order to hold it, but the deposit will only tie up the land until March 1, 2008. Time is of the essence, and we need your help to purchase this land! We need to raise an additional $270,000 to make this critical purchase a reality.

PLEASE HELP US PROTECT THE ANIMALS' HOME FOR THE FUTURE! IF YOU CAN MAKE A SPECIAL DONATION FOR THIS PURPOSE, IT WOULD MEAN SO MUCH TO US! Also, if you know others who might be interested in helping, please let us know, and we'll be glad to get in touch with them as well.

To donate please go to www.wildanimalsanctuary.org or donate at the badge on the left side of the myspace profile near the bottom. Please e-mail or instant message with any questions.