Local woman opens home and heart- launches animal sanctuary

There's been a buzz in the barnyard. The ducks are quacking and the geese a-honking. The horses stomp and whinny, a baby goat bleats, and the llama makes whatever noise it is that llamas make- apparently a kind of grunt.

These sounds might be reminiscent of a beloved children's storybook, complete with dramatic animal personalities to go along with a playful plot. However, this is a different kind of a story, and it takes place on a very real place just southwest of New Rockford.

Hawkes Homestead is nestled in the fifth-generation North Dakota farmstead belonging to the family of founder Jessica Hawkes, and with any luck she will soon be welcoming more creatures into the barnyard.

Jess, as she is known by most folks, is the daughter of the late Les and Patty (Hartl) Wagner and has lived on the family homestead for approximately half her life. Her most recent stint has covered the past 10 years, during which she became the primary caretaker for the animals who call this small-grain farm home.

Early this summer, Jess launched a campaign, through the web-based crowd-funding platform GoFundMe, with the goal to establish the growing hobby of perpetual zookeeping into something more concrete and sustainable- Hawkes Homestead Animal Sanctuary.

Jess says the cause has gained overwhelming support through crowd-funding, harnessing more than $1,500. It began on Facebook, where Jess has a sizable following. Of these friends, many have become fans of her animals. They get all the updates on the old-man-cat Jules and love the photos the sassy-pants-lady-cat Aiofe (an old Irish name, pronounced EE-fah). There are fluff-a-muffin chinchillas and a dragon who doesn't know it is really a gecko- all of which have been long staples in the growing menagerie.

In recent years, things have gained momentum. Jess inherited a trio of horses and splurged on a few ducks. Then she adopted a small flock of guinea hens to help control the ticks. When the owners of a small flock of chickens opted for a life on the open road, Jess took them with great anticipation for fresh eggs.

Then she received word about some barnyard geese who needed a new home. Without hesitation Jess welcomed them into her flock. She recalls, "By the time I got to thinking about running a sanctuary, I realized that I already was!"

The funds raised thus far in the campaign for Hawkes Homestead Animal Sanctuary cover the initial costs associated with filing an application for non-profit status which will allow for tax deduction opportunities for donors as well as increase the eligibility to apply for grant funding. This dollar amount also marks the halfway-point to the larger (stretch) goals for the sanctuary: upgrading electrical wiring in the hundred-year-old barn; repairing large animal fencing; expanding the wintering quarters for the smaller animals.

Jess stresses that while there are many wonderful animal shelters for cats and dogs, there is a definite need for barnyard, special needs, and exotic animals who can no longer be cared for. Of the 126 animals who currently call Hawkes Homestead home, nearly half have been acquired through surrender or rescue.

"We strive to take excellent care of all our critters" she says, "and rarely say no to those in need of a safe home."

Future plans for Hawkes Homestead include pet adoptions, youth tours, internships, and potential overnight stay capacities.

There are several ways you can support Hawkes Homestead Animal Sanctuary during the start up:

• Purchase Hawkes Homestead products. Proceeds from Jess's handcrafted jams and tea contribute directly to animal care. The same goes for the fresh eggs and handmade crafts. These are available in person or via the Hawkes Homestead Facebook group.

• Go directly to the GoFundMe campaign. Donations can be made in increments as small as $5. https://www.gofundme.com/hawkes-homestead-animal-rescue-startup-fund.

• Mail a check. Hawkes Homestead 1710 62nd Ave NE, New Rockford, ND 58356