SHAVERTOWN, Pa. — No matter the weather, the work to take care of the resident animals at The Lands at Hillside Farms in Luzerne County's back mountain goes on.
"We look a little desolate when you drive past, but everyone is still here. They are in the barn trying to keep warm."
Laura Murphy is the barn manager at the farm near Shavertown. She says keeping the animals comfortable in the cold winter temperatures can be challenging.
"Obviously we don't have heat in the barn, we do have options like heat lamps, but those can be a little concerning for fire hazards so we like to use blankets to help keep the animals warm," explained Murphy.
Inside the barn, you'll find pigs cuddled up with blankets.
The farm just started a blanket and towel drive to help replace what the animals have worn out. So they're asking the community to donate anything they're looking to part with.
Murphy says they have three calves that were born just a few weeks ago, and the farm has more on the way who will need the extra warmth.
"With newborn baby calves, they are still a little wet when they come down, and they stay with mom, and she licks them off, but we need to keep them dry. In really cold temperatures, we can't have them be wet," said Murphy.
As you start cleaning out those closets at home, staff at the farm say there are a few things to think about before your blankets end up here, all for the safety of the animals.
"If there are tassels on the end, sequins, or anything that could pop off or really frayed fabric, they aren't picky," said Murphy.
The donation bin can be found in the coach barn until the end of February at The Lands at Hillside Farms.