Kali Nelson, a dedicated volunteer at P.E.A.C.E. (People Ensuring Animal Care Exists), shares insights into her work and passion for animal rescue. Having served as Secretary on the Board of Directors from 2021 to 2023 and currently volunteering as a Human Resources representative, Kali has been deeply involved in the organization since joining as a volunteer in 2020. P.E.A.C.E. is a registered charity committed to aiding farmed animals and supporting farm sanctuaries through resources, rescue efforts, and educational programs.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
P.E.A.C.E. (People Ensuring Animal Care Exists) is a registered charity that aims to help farmed animals and farm sanctuaries through resources, rescue, and education.
As of 2022, we are also a farm sanctuary located in Mission, BC. We were the first microsanctuary in the world and second farm sanctuary in Canada to be accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS).
What problem does it aim to solve?
P.E.A.C.E. was started when the founders – Sarien and Hugo Slabbert – saw the huge need for a rescue organization specializing in farmed animal rescue in BC. The Rescue program soon expanded to all Western Canada.
Today, P.E.A.C.E. provides support to farm sanctuaries and organizations across North America through resources and education.
When did you start/join it?
PEACE was established in January of 2019. I joined as a volunteer in 2020.
What made you want to get involved?
I’ve enjoyed volunteering with animals since I was a kid, and while many organizations are doing good work for the animals we usually call our “pets,” it was harder to find opportunities working toward the protection of farmed animals. They don’t have the same support as, for example, our dog and cat friends. I admired P.E.A.C.E.’s vision of creating a more compassionate world, reducing animal suffering, and supporting environmental sustainability.
What was the situation like when you started?
In 2019 when P.E.A.CE. was started, there were 834 million farmed animals slaughtered. P.E.A.C.E and other Canadian sanctuaries receive hundreds of requests each year for animal rescue/rehoming.
Since many people are not directly exposed to animals raised for food, they may not empathize with them or recognize them as individuals. Farmed animal sanctuaries provide an opportunity for a future where farmed animals are included within humanity’s expanding circle of compassion and are treated with respect and care.
How has it changed since?
P.E.A.C.E has helped bridge the gap between sanctuaries to then facilitate more opportunities for rescue and awareness. We’ve offered free and discounted resources for farm sanctuaries in Canada, from discounted lawyer fees to help sanctuaries get their charity status, to free technology and grant options for projects. We’ve also provided resources for the public, including a map to find farm sanctuaries in your area, and information on how to go about starting a farm sanctuary.
With a strong belief in compassion for all through humane education, we offer innovative and ethical alternatives to keep animals out of the classroom. For example, our Chick It Out™️ App offers an educational, affordable (and adorable!), humane alternative to live egg hatching in classrooms and homes. We also provide a variety of resources that teach empathy and respect for animals (human and non-human) and the environment. For example, our Farm Sanctuary & School Lesson Plans (available in French and English) have been created to support farm sanctuary operators, humane educators, parents, and teachers through the process of bringing young people to sanctuary.
What more needs to be done?
There are always more animals needing sanctuary than there are spaces available, so coordinating rescues continues to be a huge job. We receive and process many surrender requests, work with partner farm sanctuaries to find a home, organize transports, and provide necessary medical care. P.E.A.C.E. offers quarantine and foster services at our property in Mission, at no charge to the farm sanctuary offering a rescued individual a home.
We would also love to see more efforts to strengthen the sanctuary community, upholding a standard of care where all animals’ needs are met. Many “sanctuaries” or “rescues” do not provide this, and that’s why we appreciate accreditations such as GFAS. We want to support sanctuaries that have a mission of quality, non-exploitive animal care and ethical policies.
How can our readers help?
We appreciate all forms of support, including monthly or one-time donations, wishlist items, or folks interested in volunteering. Volunteers can help with a wide variety of tasks, such as day-to-day operations, events, rescues, or projects on the sanctuary property.
Do you have any events coming up?
We offer tours of the P.E.A.CE. Farm Sanctuary, and welcome you to stay after your tour to enjoy a vegan picnic on-site. Here’s a link with more information for those interested in coming to learn and observe.
We also have the following events coming up, so please feel free to drop by and say hello!
· July 6, 2024 | Nanaimo VegFest | Nanaimo, BC – Website
· September 7, 2024 | Vancouver Vegan Festival | Vancouver BC
· September 22, 2024 | Kelowna VegFest | Kelowna, BC – Website
Where can we follow you?
You can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
A fantastic, volunteer-run charity to check out is Home for Hooves. Founded in September 2017, they are a GFAS-certified sanctuary for farmed animals in Duncan, BC. They offer a forever home to all kinds of individuals, from pigs and sheep to guinea pigs and cats.
