Funny Farm

A Funny Thing happened on the way to the Farm

The story of Funny Farm

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Mays Landing, small miracles happen everyday. To experience over 600 rescued animals roaming free on the compound is in itself a joy. Realizing the remarkable true life story behind this ‘labor of love’ pulls at your heartstrings! As a young mom, Anne McNulty made the courageous decision to leave her abusive husband. Her family’s survival would depend on her tenacity. With four children in tow and without a steady income, their struggle often became desperate. It was Anne’s passion for animals that kept her children distracted as they navigated their uncertain future. Anne secured a position as an animal control officer, exposing her to the sad reality of lost and abandoned animals. Extermination. Disheartened, Anne began rescuing those scheduled for euthanasia long before it became a popular trend on social media. Although they lived sparingly, what they had they shared with their extended family of dogs, cats, pigs and chickens. Anne would affectionately refer to her home of menagerie misfits as the Funny Farm. It was a title that would live on long after those early years. It was Anne’s dream to one day own a sanctuary where animals would roam free, knowing compassion and love, food and shelter all while receiving necessary medical care. A permanent, safe and healthy environment, offering adoption for some and for others a forever home. It was a tall order for a woman of little means. It would take a miracle to bring her dream to fruition and the clock was ticking. Anne was battling cancer. Anne’s children, now in their 20s were blazing their own trails. Her daughter Laurie was an art major and found success in a graphic arts career with a governmental agency. With the news of Anne’s diagnosis, Laurie made it her mission to fulfill her mother’s life goal. The future suddenly had a date stamp: 2000. She needed to find a home with an expansive property that could easily accommodate their thirtysomething adoptees. Her search brought them to a rural area of Mays Landing in Atlantic County, NJ. Fifteen acres of property, just off the rail bed of the historic West Jersey Railroad and Route 40. She had found their new home. Two weeks shy of settlement, Anne lost her courageous fight. Her resilient daughter picked up the baton and sprinted to the finish

inside

Features:

Funny Farm...................................... 3-5 School Resource Guide............ 6

Camp Listings........................................ 9 Key to the Past....................10-11 JSF FB Friends.......................12-13 Calendar of Events......... 14-15

Autism Facts.......................................16 Kids Place.................................18-19 Celebrate Earth Day....20-21

Spotlight................................................ 23

P.O. Box 96, Mays Landing, NJ 08330

PUBLISHERS, Mari Dattolo and Sherrii Brentari

To place an event listing e-mail infor to Mari@JerseyShoreFamily.com FOR MORE INFO CONTACT MARI Mari@JerseyShoreFamily.com 609-829-8796

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Jersey Shore Family is a free publication with a combined circulation of approximately 20,000 distributed through Atlantic County and online. Printed in the U.S. The publisher and advertisers will not be liable or responsible for typographical errors, omissions, misinformation, etc. contained in this publication. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for products which are in violation of the law. Comments can be received at pamela.jsf@gmail.com. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All contents copyright 2020 Jersey Shore Family.

Spring is Here... Almost?

Meet sisters, Giana andAnaliah on the cover of the Spring Issue of JSF. They are the WINNERS of the Kids Facebook Photo Contest for the Spring 2020 Issue! We paid a visit to Funny Farm Rescue on an unseasonably warm February weekend. Giana was eager to share some yummy treats with her friend, while her sister decided to take a ‘wait & watch approach!' Many thanks to our cover models, our photographer, Sam Brentari Cronick, and our gracious hostess, Laurie Zaleski.

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Welcome to the family,

Mari Dattolo

Jersey Shore Family Editor and Publisher Mari@JerseyShoreFamily.com

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line. Alone with a wheelbarrow and a rake, day after day year after year, Laurie carried on Anne’s legacy, maintaining the farm while working her full time job. Guided by her mother’s tenacious spirit, Laurie has brought thousands of people together with her animal family. Today, as founder and CEO, Laurie Zaleski offers community outreach programs and in the summer months, oversees “Critter Camp.” She has published three children’s books and has seven more in the works. Future plans include the addition of a Welcome and Education Center as well as publishing her own story. Through twenty years of seasons, Laurie has maintained her full time career in photography to ensure that her “family” of 600+ is adequately provided for. Funny Farm does not charge admission to the visiting public, giving every child the opportunity to experience the magic of Anne’s Dream! Visiting hours are Sunday & Tuesday 8AM-4PM. For more information: www.funnyfarmrescue.org

A 501(c)(3), Funny Farm graciously accepts donations and welcomes the following wish list items: Hand sanitizers, apples, lettuce, carrots, Bounty paper towels, Clorox wipes, puppy pads, mealworms, Tractor Supply gift cards, Gatorade & water for volunteers