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Outstanding Activist!
A
passionate and caring activist who has been veg for so many years now
that she can't remember exactly how long it has been, Nicole Montalbano
has made a difference in the lives of countless animals. Her empathy and
concern for those who are suffering is unmistakable, and her willingness
to act on their behalf has always made those who know her proud. Selfless,
loving, and bold, her efforts to help build a more compassionate world
have not gone unnoticed.
As a member of more than ten animal protection organizations, Nicole has participated in numerous campaigns to fight animal abuse, including efforts to protect gophers living in Ocean Beach, California, end cruel experiments on dogs at San Francisco University, and rescue moon bears being farmed for their bile in Asian countries. She has volunteered her time to hand out "Go Vegan!" fliers at peace marches and rallies in San Francisco, held get-togethers at her home to educate her friends and neighbors about various environmental and animal rights issues, and volunteered at an animal shelter for several weeks. She has also written many letters over the years on important issues such as the cruelty of foie gras and the injustice of forcing elephants to live in zoos.
In addition to her many activities on behalf of other animal protection organizations, Nicole has donated a tremendous amount of time and energy to Farm Sanctuary, and recently received the Friend of Farm Animals award at our California Country Hoe Down. Her commitment to the organization began when she first visited our California Shelter nine years ago, and her mother began sponsoring a steer named Tyler in Nicole's name. Nicole has been involved with Farm Sanctuary ever since, and has spent many volunteer hours -including six weeks in a row in 2004-- helping out with hard, hands-on, dirty farm work here at our California Shelter.
Every time Nicole has come to volunteer on the farm, she has proven herself an invaluable resource for us, and for our rescued residents. Always willing to contribute in any way she can, she has helped with sheep shearing, scraping and hosing down our pig patio, cleaning barns, feeding our cattle and sheep, and putting up new fencing. She has also assisted our caregivers during monthly health checks of each species on the farm, and has spent many an early morning spreading sunscreen on pig bellies, rumps, and ears, helping prepare the animals for their long, lazy days lying outside by the pond. During shelter events, such as our Country Hoe Down and our Celebration for the Turkeys, Nicole's knowledge of factory farming issues and the individual animals at the shelter really comes in handy, as she is usually stationed in one of our barns, ready to answer visitors' questions.
To the Farm Sanctuary staff and volunteers who have had the privilege of working with her, Nicole is nothing less than family. The animals here, who have benefited from her generosity and love, undoubtedly feel the same. For a young, orphaned lamb named Persia, Nicole is a bright and memorable figure, because it was she who delivered the frightened sheep to sanctuary. For two cattle named Moe and Linus, she is a true friend, who helped them put the darkness of the past behind them, and who has always been willing to drop her rake or bucket long enough to run and play. And to Missy, a special needs sheep who is no longer with us, Nicole meant the world.
Perhaps the greatest gift Nicole has ever given to Farm Sanctuary, was the gift of friendship she gave to Missy. Nicole says that she was drawn to the ewe from the very start, and that Missy was unlike any sheep she had ever met before. A strong, independent soul, who had survived a fire at an adoptive home and who was fighting cancer throughout her time at our California Shelter, Missy warmed to Nicole right away. The two remained inseparable, even as Missy's condition grew more and more serious. Nicole single-handedly paid for Missy's cancer treatments, and was a source of strength and comfort for the ailing sheep until the very end.
To this day,
a tree marks the windswept spot where Missy was buried. It serves as a
reminder of the compassion we have for all creatures, and the tremendous
impact one person, like Nicole, can have on the life of an animal in need.
Together, we ARE making a difference. If you would like to find out more about volunteering your time to educate others about factory farming and vegetarianism, please contact us at activist@farmsanctuary.org, or call 607-583-2225 ext. 229. Click here to find out what YOU can do to help!