`THEY HAVE NO PLACE TO GO'
Hastings County animal sanctuary facing foreclosure
A Hastings County woman is facing foreclosure on the farm she's called home for 31 years.
Kris Uens owns 100 acres in Plainfield, just northwest of Napanee and northeast of Belleville.
But the property is not only her home: it's also a sanctuary for approximately 200 animals that she has rescued from various circumstances over the years.
Kamp Kiki Animal Sanctuary — named for the nickname Uens' eldest niece gave her as a toddler — houses a large number of farm animals and pets that would otherwise not be alive today, and Uens identifies as their saviour.
Uens says her mortgage has come up for renewal, and no companies want to renew it. She purchased the farm 31 years ago, but a divorce and hard times have prevented her from paying it off.
She received her first eviction notice on March 25, with instructions to vacate by April 4. That was extended to May 15.
Now, several dozen supporters have donated $5,100 on the crowdfunding website Gofundme to help buy her some time. She's looking for legal assistance and has someone in her extended circle trying to help her secure another mortgage.
Uens is worried that lenders are shying away because of her animals and the fact that they do not provide any income.
“Lenders, they hear it's a sanctuary, and I said, `Don't you guys do farms?' But none of these animals are for money; they're here until they die.”
In a video posted to the Gofundme fundraiser Uens admits the property doesn't look great due to the season.
“It looks like hell right now because it's spring,” she said. “It's a farm. It's not clean. It's not tidy.”
Uens fundraises for Kamp Kiki all year long via bottle drives and some merchandise sales and holds a barn party in the summer. People also sponsor animals, and she receives donations of animal food.
Uens says her neighbours are great, many adopting animals from her to help support her cause. They bring food scraps to feed to livestock, and all of her dog and cat food is donated.
“All I buy is usually crack corn and hay,” she said.
Robyn Holt and her husband have been volunteering with Uens for three years. She is one of approximately 30 volunteers who help Uens on a regular basis.
“I love animals, and Kris has the heart of the universe, she really does,” Holt said. “She helps so many animals. I work with other animal rescues as well, and when I saw the work that Kris was doing, I realized she needed some help somewhere that I could provide.”
Holt has just finished running an online auction to help raise money to save the sanctuary.
Another volunteer named JJ brings tears to Uens' eyes as she talks about him — a young man who she said has gained confidence and purpose in his work at the sanctuary, and who Uens said is planning to become a veterinarian.
“He came here about three years ago with his mom, he was just a little guy,” she said. “He didn't even look up the first time he came here. Now when he comes it's my night off.
“I've already decided when it comes time for me to retire, JJ gets (the place). He's a very, very smart kid and he just works constantly.”
Uens grew up on a farm with dairy cows, pigs and sheep, and lots of horses.
“My dad's a horseman, and it's his fault that I do this,” she said. “One time, he unloaded this horse and it was so skinny … I remember asking, `Why'd you bring that home, dad?' and he said, `I couldn't leave it where it was.'”
She said she loves her animals and to be outside.
“I've been like that since I was little,” she said. “I get along with animals better than I do most people. They follow me everywhere.”
Asking for help isn't something that is comfortable for Uens. The Gofundme fundraiser was set up by a family friend and has provided enough cash to hold off eviction while she attempts to make a plan.
The animals on her property — horses, pigs, goats, sheep, cats, dogs, guinea pigs and various poultry — have a lifelong commitment from Uens to care for them for their natural lives. She is concerned about what would happen to farm animals that some people wouldn't feel the need to house or care for.
“I'm not worried about me at all,” she said in the video. “It's all these guys, all these guys right here. They have no place to go if something happens.”