Our ride is complete and we raised $2788.63 for the sanctuaries!! We are so thankful to everyone who contributed or help out with our ride. 

An especially big thanks to our amazing crew - Emma & Olivia! Could not have done it without you. 

Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Current total: $1700!

In a few hours, we will be heading up to Snooters to get ready for this weekend.

Our fundraising total has reached $1700!!
Thank you to everyone who has contributed :) We will be continuing to accept donations along the way this weekend. Hope to see you at a sanctuary!!

Thank you to Dog Devotion for helping out by watching some of our dogs this weekend! You're the best!!

Schedule for the Ride

There are a few opportunities for you to come out and meet us on our way. We'd love to have others come to the sanctuaries for some encouragement for our ride. And you get to meet all the cute residents of the sanctuary too!

We are starting our ride at Snooter's Forever Home near Zephyr at about 9am on Saturday. Susan is hosting a vegan breakfast that morning, and you are all invited to come by and send us off! (Details here)

From there, our riders will bike to Wishing Well Sanctuary in Bradford (~30km). We'll be rolling into Wishing Well Sanctuary around 11am on Saturday. You are invited to stop by and visit the sanctuary with us! We'll be taking a break, eating some lunch, and hanging out with the animals. Bring a vegan dish to share! (details)

From Wishing Well, we will bike to Ruby Ranch (96km), arriving at about 6pm. We will have another potluck for dinner! (there's no such thing as too many vegan potlucks). The riders will stay overnight at Ruby Ranch, and head out in the morning.

On Sunday, we will ride about 104km to Cedar Row. To celebrate the end of the ride, Cedar Row is hosting a potluck! There is limited space there, so please RSVP here.

hope to see you this weekend!!

Rider update

Unfortunately, one of our riders, Mike M, is having some unexpected health issues. Please read his message below. 

Hi everyone, I've been extremely stoked for this ride for months now. Now with less than a week to go, I've been hospitalized due to serious complications with my pancreas. It's looking unlikely that I'll be road ready by Saturday. I'm super bummed out by this. I hope that anyone who has donated to this cause in my name will be happy knowing that they are still supporting a group of amazing individuals and helping out with an awesome cause! And who knows, you might still see me out there sporting my hospital gown and IV.


Mike

We hope you feel better, Mike! And thanks to Mike for everything he has done up until now for the Ride. Mike has been our equipment expert & his enthusiasm for the event is contagious! The Ride for Rescued Animals will still go ahead as planned, and we are thankful for everyone's continued support. 

Thanks Vegan Stream!

Thank you to Andrew at Vegan Stream for the sweet video he posted in support of our ride.

Head over and check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPAHVkofjt8

Rider profile: Joanne

Hi everyone,

My name is Joanne and I have been vegan for almost 3 years. I am really excited about the Ride for Rescued Animals and raising money for these sanctuaries! Since becoming aware of the realities animals face daily, it's been hard sometimes to deal with being surrounded by so much violence. Animal sanctuaries are a place I can go to feel hope and see animals who are living in a positive environment. Beyond rescuing animals, sanctuaries have such an important role in education and outreach. The first sanctuary I visited was Snooters, and I was so impressed by Susan's dedication to the animals there, as well as advocating for all animals. Since then I have tried to go to local sanctuaries as often as I can.

My main hobbies right now include baking vegan cookies and hanging out with my rescued cat and dogs (Cleo, Phoebe, and Rufus).

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Ride for Rescued Animals so far. These animals are so deserving of every penny!

Chickpea & Joanne at Cedar Row.

If you'd like to sponsor the Ride for Rescued Animals, please click on the "donate" button on the right side of this page!

-Ride for Rescued Animals

Sanctuary profile: Cedar Row

Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary was opened by the Poole family about 12 years ago, outside of Stratford. They have rescued so many animals over the years, some live out their lives in peace at Cedar Row, and others the Pooles help to re-home. Currently, Cedar Row is home to pigs, sheep, cows, goats, donkeys, chickens, roosters, turkeys, cats & one dog (and 4 people).

Siobhan and Pete are amazing animal advocates! Please help us support them by donating to the Ride for Rescued animals (the donate button is on the right side of this page). Cedar Row will receive 25% of the money raised! We are finishing the Ride at Cedar Row with a vegan potluck. If you would like to come out, please RSVP on the Facebook event!

-R4RA

Plant powered athletes

Though our main goal is to raise money for 4 awesome animal sanctuaries, we also want to show others that a vegan diet is great for athletes! That's why we teamed up with Anne-Marie at Meat Free Athlete.

MFA is a resource for vegan athletes (or aspiring athletes), with information on nutrition, athlete profiles, and plenty of recipes. Anne-Marie also writes a blog on the site! Check out her post 10 reasons I love being vegan :)

Even if you don't consider yourself an "athlete", it's a great place to go if you need tips on how to be a healthy vegan. You can also join the online community and talk to others about veganism.

Thanks to Anne-Marie and Meat Free Athlete for your support of the Ride for Rescued Animals!! You rock :)

Photo from meatfreeathlete.com

Current total: $1095!

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far!! We are so happy to have raised $1095 for the sanctuaries, with just a little over a week left before our ride.

Please keep up the support - any donation size is very much appreciated!!

Sanctuary profile: Ruby Ranch

In early 2008, Sherry and Bob were living in Toronto when they adopted a little pot-bellied pig named Ruby. After learning about all the pigs in need of homes, they decided to open a pig sanctuary. They opened Ruby Ranch Pig Sanctuary soon after in Kenilworth (north of Arthur), with their 6 pigs.

Now, Ruby Ranch is home to 19 pigs, as well as sheep, chickens, dogs, cats, and a rabbit.

During the Ride for Rescued Animals, we will be spending Saturday night camping out at Ruby Ranch! 25% of the proceeds of our ride will go to Ruby Ranch. Please help us provide support for this sanctuary to take care of these very deserving animals.

Thank you,
Ride for Rescued Animals

Sanctuary profile: Wishing Well

Wishing Well Sanctuary is our second stop on the Ride for Rescued Animals. This beautiful place is close to Bradford (just north of Toronto).

In 2011, Brenda and Wishing Well rescued their first animals from a farm, with the help of Animal Alliance of Canada - a herd of 9 cows, and a group of 5 sheep. Since then, they have welcomed horses, potbellied and big pigs, donkeys, chickens & a rooster, rabbits, and goats!

Some cats and dogs have also made their home here!

Yogi.

We are excited to visit Wishing Well Sanctuary again during our ride. We'll be there around lunch on Saturday, July 20th and we'd love for you to join us!

Visit Wishing Well's website here. To sponsor our ride, click "Donate" on the right side of the page. Wishing Well Sanctuary will receive 25% of the proceeds!

Rider profile: Michael

"Though I’ve been vegan for approximately 3 years, I became an avid animal rights advocate in August of 2012. Since then, it seems like a new life for me, appreciating the world in new ways and beginning to challenge many things I took for granted. I also consider myself a passionate social justice activist, campaigning as an ally for many other forms of oppression in our societies. I’m currently completing a Master’s degree in Criminology at the University of Guelph, and have been a resident of the city of Guelph for over 6 years now.

I am participating in this event for many reasons. Probably the most important reason though is because it is invaluable for people to learn more about the amazing places, people and animals residing in Ontario. Learning that so much injustices and yet also so many inspiring possibilities can be found close to many of us in Ontario should help enable more to become active in facilitating and supporting radical changes needed for all.

I’ve found that I have most bonded with Zebra, at Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary, because I think she really embodies the quiet dignity and gentle embrace that is so often overlooked by humanity."

Zebra & Mike. 

Thanks, Mike! If you would like to sponsor Mike, please click on "Donate" on the right side of this page.  

Love,
Ride for Rescued Animals

Rider profile: Melissa

"I've been vegetarian for approximately 14 years, and vegan for the past year. I have been actively involved in animal rights issues for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, I was concerned about the treatment of animals and frequently voiced my concerns. 

I completed my Honours B.A. in Psychology and went on to complete a diploma program in Addictions. I currently work as an Addictions Counsellor. In my spare time I enjoy cooking new vegan recipes, cycling, kayaking, yoga, and spending time with my rescued rabbit, Rex.

Melissa and Rex. photo c/o Melissa.

I do my best to spend time volunteering at the various animal sanctuaries in Ontario. I love spending time with animals who are in a safe and loving environment, as it gives me hope that others will also make a connection with these amazing animals.

I hope this bike ride raises awareness about the great work that all the farm sanctuaries are doing, as well as bring attention to the individual animals who are lucky enough to get a second chance at life."

Thanks, Melissa! If you would like to sponsor Melissa, please click on "Donate" on the right side of this page.  

Love,
Ride for Rescued Animals

Rider profile: Becka

"Hi, I'm Becka. I have been vegetarian for a year and a half now and vegan for 6 months. Although I am fairly new to the vegan way of life I am very active when it comes to animal rights activism. I regularly attend protests at slaughter houses and other facilities where animals are exploited and abused. I also volunteer about once a week at Snooters Farm Sanctuary. 

Becka and Norman. photo c/o Becka.

I feel so connected to the animals there, I have a very special connection with Norman the cow and Edgar the pig. Snooters is my happy place, with the amount of animal cruelty I see attending vigils for Guelph Pig Save and other organizations, going to Snooters always reminds me why I go to them and why it is important to help the animals that aren't as lucky as my friends at Snooters and the other sanctuaries. 

Edgar and Becka. photo c/o Becka.

I am currently a third year University of Guelph student studying marketing management, my hope is to graduate and use my knowledge in marketing to help spread the vegan message. I can't think of a better way to spend my life. In my spare time, I like to snowboard, play soccer, and spend time with my rescued rat Leo. I will also be adopting a new addition to the family, Bella, who I will be rescuing from the animal testing and teaching lab she is currently subject to at the University of Guelph.

Bella and Becka. photo c/o Becka.

Leo. photo c/o Becka.

I hope this bike ride will raise awareness about the vegan lifestyle as well as raise awareness and funds for the sanctuaries we are supporting. I also hope that this bike ride will show people that even vegans can be athletes."

Thanks, Becka! If you would like to sponsor Becka's ride, please click on "Donate" on the right side of this page. When you donate, make a note that you would like to sponsor Becka. 

Love,
Ride for Rescued Animals

Sanctuary profile: Snooter's Forever Home

Our first stop on the tour is at Snooter's Forever Home near Zephyr, Ontario. Over 15 years ago, Susan adopted a rescued pig named Valentine. Then, in 2001, Susan and her husband moved to a farm where they now run Snooter's.

Valentine. Photo by Susan Morris.

Snooter's is home to many pigs (pot-bellied and "farm" pigs), 2 steers, sheep, chickens, dogs, cats, peafowl, horses, & donkeys.

Edgar and Becka.

Some of "the ladies", rescued hens.

Susan and the Snooter's team do an amazing job at taking care of their animals! Snooter's is always looking for volunteers on the farm, to help out with maintenance, animals care, and other farm chores. Visit them on Facebook for more updates!

Ashli.

Snooter's will get 25% of what we raise for the Ride for Rescued Animals! Please sponsor us to support this special place.

If you would like to support the Ride for Rescued Animals, please click on "Donate" at the right side of this page. 

Love,
Ride for Rescued Animals

Rider Profiles: Mike M

We want to introduce you all to the people involved in the ride! We will be posting profiles of each of our 5 riders, as well as the 4 sanctuaries we are riding for. 

First up, meet Mike!

"I’ve been vegan for over 3 years. I’m a University of Guelph graduate with a BSc. in Physical Sciences. I’m passionate about animal rights (including humans), and environmental justice (particularly soil and water issues). I enjoy cycling, soccer, cross-country skiing, disc golf, hiking, canoeing, reading, and I love vegan potlucks! 

Visiting and helping out at farm animal sanctuaries and bearing witness to the plight of farmed animals has demonstrated a powerful contrast to me in the ways humans can treat other species. I felt an especially close connection to the young steers at Snooter’s and Stormy the pig at Ruby Ranch. 

Mike and Norman at Snooter's Forever Home.

Stormy and Mike and Ruby Ranch Pig Sanctuary.

I hope that this ride will provide support and bring recognition to the work these sanctuaries do.  I also hope to serve as an example of how following a vegan diet can provide the proper nutrition and energy for a healthy and physically active lifestyle."

Thanks, Mike! If you would like to sponsor Mike's ride, please click on "Donate" on the right side of this page. When you donate, make a note that you would like to sponsor Mike M. 

Love,
Ride for Rescued Animals

Welcome to the Ride for Rescued Animals!

The Ride for Rescued Animals is a bicycle relay across southwestern Ontario, stopping at four animal sanctuaries - Snooter's Forever Home, Wishing Well Sanctuary, Ruby Ranch Pig Sanctuary, and Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary. The route is approximately 230kms! See our route here.

Our goal is to fundraise money to help out with the costs of running these sanctuaries. Our secondary goal is to raise awareness about animal sanctuaries in Ontario and animal rights.

More info & how to donate will be posted soon, once the details are finalized.

Check back soon!