News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A new livestock rescue non-profit has been established in Cookeville.
L Bar L Livestock Rescue, Inc. has received its 501(c)(3) status. President Spring Vinson said the organization provides a safe home for animals surrendered by their owners.
“I want people to be able to have a place to know that they can safely call and take their animals to and receive the proper care,” Vinson said. “Whether be vet, emotional rehabilitation or physical rehabilitation.”
Vinson said she has worked with livestock her entire life and often took in animals for rehab. Vinson said a push from her two children inspired the non-profit name and caused her to make the operation official.
“My two kids, who are big part of this, they actually were the ones to press me, because I have been taking in animals and rehabbing them for a long time. They are the ones that pressed me to get this official, so we could go on to a bigger scale,” Vinson said. “Both of their names start with L.”
Vinson said she has seen a growing need in the rescue service. Vinson said not only has cost of living increased but livestock feed has as well. Vinson said more and more livestock owners cannot afford proper care.
“I just had a call two weeks ago about two kunekune pigs, because they could not afford to feed them,” Vinson said. “I went to get them, and there was not a drop of water and there wasn’t food. These people just could not afford to keep these animals anymore, and a lot of people don’t have a way to transport them to even take them to an auction.”
Vinson said she has a team of family and friends that operate the non-profit. Vinson said they will take in pretty much all livestock animals such as horses, cows and pigs.
Vinson said the farm is located about 10 miles north of the Tennessee Tech campus. Vinson said the group is working on a new website and scheduling volunteer days to get the community involved.
