Pumpkins repurposed for animals at Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary

GUSTON, Ky.- It’s a smashing good time at Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary.

The staff at the sanctuary help sick, injured and orphaned animals throughout the entire state of Kentucky by providing food, shelter and so much more year round.

The dedicated and hard working manager of Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary, Chloe Miller, describes the sanctuary as a space where animals can be healed, and people can learn from the animals that they do heal.

Miller says, “We care for the animals. Whether it’s raining, snowing or 100 degrees outside. They depend on us. What we do here every day is, we look over them and make sure they’re okay, so that way they can be released back out into the wild.”

This year, the sanctuary decided to use pumpkins and other vegetables to feed the animals so they didn’t go to waste.

The animal Rehaber at Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary, Christy Hurt, is extremely passionate about being there for the animals. Her main goal is to completely nurse these animals back to good health. She shares that when they are healed, they will be ready to learn to hunt for themselves again.

Hurt says, “They can forage for these vegetables, and anything that we can provide for them to eat is greatly appreciated.”

The pumpkins provide more than nutrients. They also can provide shelter to critters that are trying to hide from prey.

Miller also shares what motivates her to continue helping the animals.

She says, “When these animals get dropped off, they’re very sick or they’re very injured, and then to watch the process of healing them and getting the life back into their eyes, it’s so rewarding and therapeutic to come here every day.”

Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary is always accepting donations and rescues all year. If you wish to contact them, you can call 270-547-4200 from Sunday through Saturday.