Book a Farm Visit!

We can’t wait to meet you and show you what our work is all about - the animals! Please keep in mind we only schedule a few groups per day to keep our sanctuary calm and peaceful for the animals.

What to Expect

We will provide you with a farm tour on your first visit to acquaint you with our animals and our safety rules. You will be with the animals in the barnyard or in paddocks and you will be able to feed and pet our animals.

For the protection of our animals, the facilities, and our visitors, we have some rules and norms in place. Please review them below.

DOs

  • Do bring leftovers like grains, fruit, and veggies. Your local grocery store will probably give you a bunch of free produce, just ask!

  • Do donate canned dog food, cat food, and dog biscuits, as they are always needed.

  • Do wear appropriate footwear.

  • Do book online first before coming.

  • Do enter through the gift shop.

  • Do park in designated areas.

  • Do supervise your children at all times.

  • Do handle animals gently.

  • Do immediately report any unsafe condition or injury to Renee Small.

  • Do wash hands well with soap and water before leaving.

  • Don't wear open-toed shoes.

  • Don't drive on the grass.

  • Don't enter the property without booking online first.

  • Don't allow children to climb on farm equipment or gates.

  • Don't scream or run anywhere on the farm.

  • Don't open gates without permission.

  • Don't get too close to the dog yard.

  • Don't walk or run up behind a horse or donkey.

  • Don't leave valuables unattended. The farm is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

  • Don't hold the farm responsible for damage to your vehicle during your visit.

DON’Ts

  • No plastic bags

    If you bring produce, please cut it up and use a metal bucket to carry it. We will make a table available at the farm entrance to cut up food. Please of any plastic before entering the farm.

  • Don't feed with a flat hand

    Do not use a flat hand to feed animals. Instead, please hand them a treat like you would a pet dog. We can show you if you are not sure how to do it.

  • No treats for some animals

    We love for you to bring yummy fruit and veg for our animals with a few exceptions! Please do not give treat to dogs, donkeys or horses. Please do not feed crackers, cereal or bread to the rabbits and guinea pigs.

  • No food in the paddocks

    There are too many animals in the paddock area to safely share food and treats. Please leave your food buckets outside the barn before entering for your safety.

 FAQs

  • Closed toe shoes are required. Sneakers are permitted, but boots are recommended. Persons wearing sandals will be asked to change their shoes before entering the farm.

    Please dress in comfortable clothing that is appropriate for the weather. Layers are usually best!

    Please note that mud may be unavoidable while visiting the farm. Please be prepared that any clothing, gear, or item brought to the farm may get dirty, footwear in particular.

  • You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch or snacks with you for your visit! We have picnic tables available for visitor use. Please note that we do not have storage space available and recommend that any food items for personal consumption be left in your vehicle until you are ready.

    Our animals love your leftovers! Please bring any produce or pantry items to share with our animals. Fruits, vegetables, cereal, crackers, bread, pet foods, etc., are all wonderful to share during designated times on your tour or to donate for sanctuary use. Food items can be fresh or a little past their best-by date!

    Please plan to bring any other necessary items you may need: including water bottles, which may be refilled on site, or items for personal medical needs. We have a small first aid kit for minor cuts, insect stings, etc., but we do not have an epipen for general use on site.

  • There are many opportunities to interact with our animals during your tour! Your tour guide will provide you with specific instructions for how to best and safely interact with different types of animals, as well as specific, individual animals.

    You may interact freely with the animals in the main yard area but please wait for further instruction from personnel before entering any fenced or caged area.

    Please be kind to our animals. Running or chasing of the animals is not permitted. Please also do not pick up any animal without explicit permission from H&S personnel. Any visitor handling animals in a rough, unsafe, or inappropriate manner will be asked to leave.

    For their safety, we ask that children are supervised by a responsible adult in your party at all times during your visit.

  • Yes! We provide visitors with treat buckets of assorted food items are are appropriate to share with our animals. You may also bring treats from home to feed our animals as well, such as fruits, vegetables, and pantry items such as crackers, cereals, etc.

    FOR YOUR SAFETY, NO FOOD OR TREATS ARE PERMITTED WHILE INSIDE ANIMAL PADDOCKS. Animals may be fed during designated times and in designated areas during your tour. This includes primarily over fences or when visiting with the animals in the main yard area. At no time may any visitor enter the main pig/goat herd area, donkey paddock, or horse paddock while in possession of food items. Small quantities of food in the hand of a visitor can create a sense of a “limited resource” situation when many animals are present. Please follow this important rule.

  • The animals at Hope & Serenity Farm Sanctuary all have unique stories. You can learn more about our animals by selecting a species in the Animals section of our navigation bar above.

    In general, animals come to H&S when they would otherwise have no safe place to go. Farm animals are generally not accepted by local animal shelters as those organizations have limited means to meet their needs. H&S rescues animals from neglected living conditions, the auction/slaughter pipeline, and in some cases, owner surrender.

    Sanctuary means for life. When an animal is rescued by H&S, we are committing to providing for that animal’s needs for the duration of its lifespan. H&S generally does not adopt out animals like a traditional rescue organization. H&S is a safe place for farm animals to find respite from neglect, abuse, over-work, and transience.

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