Porchlight Sanctuary Closure FAQ
What is happening?
Porchlight has made the difficult decision to close. Over the next year, we will be working to dissolve the nonprofit, however, several factors may impact this timeline. Our current caretakers intend to adopt all the current residents and may continue some form of self-funded microsanctuary in the future, but the organization as it is today will no longer exist.
Why are you doing this?
In Porchlight’s early days, we envisioned a forever home for formerly farmed animals that would also serve as a hub for community building and education intended to challenge the culture of exploitation. As the physical sanctuary became reality, we always tried to be mindful to ensure that the resources we had available—board members, financial resources, volunteers, skills, training, and equipment—kept pace with any growth. This awareness developed as we witnessed former sanctuaries fold despite their greatest efforts with devastating impacts to both the residents and their caregivers.
Despite many kind and generous supporters, we’ve struggled when it came to the human resources necessary to sustain the sanctuary and its various functions. We were unsuccessful at building a team of energetic key leaders to continue carrying the organization forward. This resulted in a heavy workload for a small number of people, who have struggled to balance sanctuary commitments with full-time jobs and have become mentally exhausted along the way.
After two years of operating, we reached a crossroads — we could continue down this path and take on more animals or find some way to continue caring for the sanctuary’s current residents while distributing Porchlight’s assets to other sanctuary organizations that can put them to better use for farmed animals in need. After extensive discussion and thorough consideration of several alternatives to closing, we decided closing was our best option.
What will happen to the residents?
One of the reasons we always tried to be careful with how many animals we took on was to make sure that we would never have to give them up or surrender them. To that end, Porchlight’s present caretakers intend to adopt all the current residents and assume full financial responsibility for their care for the remainder of their lives, including future housing and veterinary care. The animals will all remain together with those who know and love them.
What will happen to the equipment, land, and property?
In the coming months, we will be working to catalog all of Porchlight’s assets, including monetary, equipment, tools, materials, and others. Once that is done, we will develop a process to distribute these assets to other sanctuaries and sanctuary support organizations run by tireless and dedicated individuals who do significant work for formerly farmed animals. To best honor the wishes of donors and supporters, the law requires that these assets go to organizations that are “substantially similar” to Porchlight and we also firmly believe that this is the best use of our assets.
As far as the physical property upon which the sanctuary currently exists, it will be sold to pay outstanding debts owed by Porchlight. In selling the property, we intend to first explore whether another sanctuary or rescue may be interested such that the property can continue being used for its intended purpose. Any funds remaining from the sale after outstanding debts are paid will be distributed to similar organizations in accordance with the law.
What will happen to the money I donated?
By law, all of Porchlight’s assets, including money donated, will be distributed to “substantially similar” organizations after any outstanding debts are paid. Although Porchlight will no longer exist, our hope is that its remaining assets will help other sanctuary organizations in their critical work and as such, meet the spirit with which they were given. All recurring donations have been canceled.
What good did Porchlight accomplish?
While Porchlight never achieved the ultimate vision imagined, we believe that we still made many meaningful contributions, including:
Provided a safe home, compassion, and veterinary care for 10 animals formerly at risk of auction, neglect, slaughter, or cruelty;
Hosted 49 separate work days and participated in a mock interview day to build vocational skills for groups of students from Northstar Academy and Dominion Care who are faced with disabilities, academic, physical, or social challenges;
Planned and coordinated 21 work days for Porchlight volunteers to help care for and bond with the residents;
Provided 20 tours of the sanctuary to the public in order to share the residents’ stories and spread the value of sanctuary;
Participated in scores of educational events to talk to community groups and the public about the plight of farmed animals, including presentation to a children’s class at the Glen Allen Library, participation in a workshop to promote rooster adoption at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, meeting with the Veggie Club at the College of William and Mary to discuss sanctuary and legal challenges for animals used in agriculture, supporting a class with Art for Animals to promote compassion through the arts, numerous tabling events, and more;
Partnered with many community groups on specific work projects to introduce them to the concept of sanctuary, including Banfield Pet Hospital, the local Girl Scouts, and the Virginia Commonwealth University VegClub.
Hosted 5 vegan potlucks and cookouts to foster togetherness among like-minded people in our area;
Provided teams of volunteers to support other sanctuaries or animal rescue missions on 6 separate occasions;
Delivered donated food and produce grown at the sanctuary to food banks and church groups in Richmond and Louisa County on numerous occasions;
Designated a portion of the property as National Wildlife Federation-certified wildlife habitat and provided shelter, water, food, and a safe environment for countless deer, foxes, coyotes, rabbits, raccoons, wild turkeys, squirrels, opossum, and others who call this area home.
What will happen between now and when you shut down?
The process to dissolve a nonprofit organization, including resolving liabilities and distributing assets, is complicated. As such, we expect this process will take many months, potentially close to a year. During this time, the sanctuary will continue to exist and operate, and the residents will still receive the level of care they deserve. We intend to find ways to maximize the value of the sanctuary in this final phase, and that may include additional tours, hosting workshops focused on animal care or sanctuary, and volunteer appreciation events.
What lessons would you share with someone interested in starting a sanctuary?
Spend your time, energy, and money supporting an existing sanctuary. By investing in these sanctuaries, you will gain a deep and necessary understanding of the work and commitment involved to run a farmed animal sanctuary and you’ll also be providing critical support to organizations that are already doing amazing work on behalf of formerly farmed animals. Also spend time educating yourself by reading everything you can from the Open Sanctuary Project, an incredible organization dedicated to building knowledge and skills for animal sanctuaries and caretakers.
Is there any way to keep up with the current residents?
We know many have bonded with the amazing residents who currently call Porchlight home and have enjoyed watching their stories unfold. Our current caretakers plan to maintain some form of social media to share updates and news about Porchlight’s residents as they move into their new homes in the coming months. As things become clearer, we will share information on how you can keep up with them. Our caretakers will also be in touch directly with a handful of special volunteers who particularly bonded with the residents.
What do I do if I have questions, am disappointed, or just want to talk to you about this decision?
You can email us at info@porchlightsanctuary.org.