Background Statement
Maxine Mager founded the sanctuary in 1987 and she manages it still. It was created to protect animals from harm in a safe and healthy environment. Creative Acres has maintained this way of life for the animals constantly throughout the years. The response to Maxine's efforts has been incredible to see how only one person, on a very limited budget, has been able to perform such an enormous task of caring for hundreds of animals at the facility throughout the years. In recognition of this organization's successes, public support and nationwide media coverage continues to grow each year.
Creative Acres has been called a unique sanctuary. It currently houses hundreds animals of different species which include emus, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, ferrets, chicken, sheep, horses and many others. Creative Acres offers ways to learn how to interact more humanely and non-abusively with animals. We do this through educational programs, personalized training, lectures and by providing information to the public on how they can be involved in changing how animal rescue organizations will be defined in the future. Another way Creative Acres is unique is that it also works with high-risk children, special needs people, the elderly, military terminally ill and the physically challenged.
Some of the animals have amazing stories of survival. There are cancer survivors ranging from ferrets, cats to horses. There are animals that are diabetics. There are also blind and deaf animals who have been taught to live normal lives. There are animals that have been mutilated who have been restored to forms of beauty. There are stories of abuse and abandonment which brought fearful animals to us but now the fear has been replaced with courage and trust
Maxine is also dedicated to medical care and research for animals. She has
recently started the Buddy Foundation, which will hopefully create knowledge for research for improved and new animal medical care. Maxine also lectures on a variety of subjects such as animal welfare, maintenance and behavior. She is well known for her ability to communicate with the animals. She has been asked to educate the public by representing her organization and other organizations on the many different ways to honor the animals for their part in enriching our lives in so many different ways. Maxine has also been an expert in court cases to educate the behavior of animals and their surroundings to protect the animal rights. She was asked to appear before the Colorado Senate to discuss animal rights issues. She and Junior the pig were the spokespig and spokeswoman for the American Diabetes Association. Many testimonials have been written about Creative Acres and Maxine's knowledge and dedication.
Most resent was the tribute from the House of Representative honoring Maxine Mager and Creative Acres.
It is Creative Acres' goal to always take care of the animals at this sanctuary and continue to expand our facilities. It is, however, also our wish that we may influence other rescue organizations to change their positions on operating their shelters to more closely resemble our philosophy of a quality of life no-kill free-roam sanctuary.