Animals share with us the privilege of having a soul.
Pythagorus, philosopher
Visit a Sanctuary
Sanctuaries are rescues for farmed animals that have been saved from animal agriculture. Non-human persons that have made a run for their lives from slaughterhouses, fallen from transport trucks, saved from dead piles at “livestock” auctions, and have been surrendered by farmers who have had a change of heart. More and more sanctuaries are popping up around the country, the continent, the world, as people come to realize that we don’t need to do what we do to these animals and that they, like us, have as much right to life and to this planet as we do.
“Sanctuaries are a place where cruelty is met with kindness. It is about kindness to animals, but it is also about respecting others, respecting ourselves, respecting the Earth… living in a way that does not cause unnecessary harm.
We live at a time when there is immense oppression, strain, and ugliness out in the world, and this harms all of us. The reason things are as bad as they are is because we have infrastructures and systems in place, and those need to be shifted. It actually undermines our empathy, and that’s a very important part of our humanity.
For me – and for many people – this begins with recognizing trauma, and violence, and cruelty in the world, and not wanting to be part of it. These animals – like other animals – want to live. They don’t want to be abused, they don’t want to be killed, they don’t want to be eaten. They want to live – just like cats, or dogs, or us. We are all animals, and we all have pretty much the same desires.
It’s not possible for sanctuaries to rescue all of the animals who are currently being exploited and slaughtered, so we need to change the system. And farm sanctuaries play a very important role in modelling a different kind of relationship with other animals. The animals become ambassadors, and people who are touched by them can go out and educate others.
Farm Sanctuary is a place, but it is also a mission. The idea is to rescue individuals, and then ultimately to change the world.”
Gene Baur, President and Co-Founder of Farm Sanctuary
Below we have listed some southern Ontario and northern New York state farmed animal sanctuaries that are open to the public with tours and open house events. We encourage everyone to visit them to experience the tranquility, the joy, the love - of how the world can be with a simple change of perception. Please visit their websites for more information and for tour, volunteer, and event dates.
Farmhouse Garden Animal Home Uxbridge ON
Mike Lanigan was a multigenerational cattle rancher who, in the summer of 2016, turned his life around. After nursing to health a sick newborn calf, he realized how hypocritical it is for him to love to these animals, only to slaughter them in the end. While it never sat right with him, he didn’t know that there may be a way out. After much thought, he decided to take the chance and stop raising animals for food. Instead, he is now focusing on using his farm full of organic vegetables and opens his sanctuary to help others make the switch.
Froghollow Farm Sanctuary
Princeton ON
Froghollow is a small, family-run plant based farm sanctuary in Southwestern Ontario, Canada giving many rescued farmed animals a safe place to live and love. They are all family, not food.
Happy Tails Farm Sanctuary Harrowsmith ON
Happy Tails is a family run farmed animal sanctuary in south-eastern Ontario providing homes and rehabilitation for farmed animals. When youth visit through class trips, community visits, or summer Compassion Camps, they learn about animals and the environment in a safe green space. Animal care and safety, habitats, the environment and issues surrounding animals in our society are a few of the topics that are discussed. They learn about the importance of respecting and caring for animals, fostering compassion and empathy for all animals.
Black Goat Farm and Sanctuary Smithville ON
Black Goat Farm and Sanctuary works to provide a permanent home for farmed animals in need. They also have a large vegetable garden growing all natural, pesticide-free produce. A portion of all produce sales goes directly back to the Sanctuary.
Their mission is to raise awareness about how farmed animals are used across this country. They want everyone to see them as we do – intelligent, caring, individual, and sentient.
Charolette’s Freedom Farm
Dresden ON
Charlotte's Freedom farm was founded in 2017 when our founder Lauren rescued a baby sheep. She was named Charlotte, and Lauren's dream of an animal sanctuary became a reality and Charlotte's Freedom Farm was born. Since 2017, we have moved from our first farm in Comber, ON to a bigger property in Dresden, ON.
Charlotte's is now home to over 150 animals, including Charlotte the sheep who started it all.
Pie Bird Farm Sanctuary
Nipissing ON
We provide a loving home to animal-persons who have previously been exploited as "farmed animals”. Here in sanctuary, individuals are uplifted into liberation, celebrated for who they are and not used for product or exploited for their bodies. To us, sanctuary is a safe place for expression of peace, ideas of justice and actions of equality for all beings.
Pegasus Animal Sanctuary
Port Perry ON
Pegasus Animal Sanctuary is a haven for abused, neglected, and abandoned farmed animals, nestled on 98 acres of beautiful rolling fields and forest in Port Perry, Ontario. Founded by Jack and Rita Hurst in 2017, it saw it's grand opening in Spring 2018.
Jack and Rita rescue animals in need, rehabilitate them, and provide them with a lifelong home filled with love and care. Pegasus is currently home to 2 donkeys, 2 miniature horses, 2 calves, 2 pigs, 4 ducks, and 5 chickens.
Cedar Row Sanctuary Stratford ON
Cedar Row Sanctuary has saved many animals from slaughter, and helped many humans make the connection to the animals that end up in the food system. The sanctuary helps people see that there is no difference between a piglet who enjoys having her belly rubbed, to a piglet that ends up being slaughtered for bacon. The Pooles believe if one spends time with the rescued animals at Cedar Row they will be forever changed.
Home Free Farm Harrowsmith ON
Home Free Farm is a family of humans and rescued farmed animals, living together in safety and peace in Harrowsmith, Ontario.