Animal sanctuary losing funds during pandemic offers goats, llamas to liven up video conference calls

A California-based animal sanctuary is running a new service allowing animals to join remote meetings — for a fee — in an attempt to offset reduced donations during the coronavirus outbreak.

The founder of Sweet Farm, a Half Moon Bay, Calif., sanctuary, told NPR that the organization has seen more than half of its donations dry up as in-person tours and events have ended due to statewide orders preventing public gatherings.

“Sixty to 70 percent of our revenue has gone out the door,” Nate Salpeter told NPR. “So very quickly we had to figure out a way that we can still execute on our mission while also driving revenue.”

A press release on the company’s website added that for a donation as low as $65, staff would set up a video call with a mammalian member of the sanctuary such as a goat or pig.

“We will join your call, do a quick intro of the farm and introduce you to the animals on your virtual tour! You can ask us questions or just hang out. It might be Sweet Farm or one of our amazing sanctuary partners!” reads the press release.

Animals at Sweet Farm include a variety of standard barnyard fare such as pigs, turkeys, goats and cows, while the service also reportedly features less standard animals such as llamas.