Animals lovers can usually pinpoint the exact moment they started loving animals. Some are born with a love of animals. Others experience a moment in time that changes how they view the world and the animals in it. That’s just what happened with the founders of Maple Farm Sanctuary in Massachusetts, a beautiful sanctuary that’s home to countless cows, chickens, and goats. It’s one of those destinations that’s definitely worthy of a spot on your bucket list.
Maple Farm Sanctuary, in Mendon, is all about new beginnings - for both its founders and the farm animals they’ve rescued from lives of unspeakable abuse and neglect.
Facebook/Maple Farm Sanctuary
Once dairy farmers, Jim and Cheri Ezell-Vandersluis’ experiences with animals led them to seek out a cruelty-free life. In 1998, they transformed their dairy farm into a place of hope and a safe haven for rescued farm animals.
Facebook/Maple Farm Sanctuary
Each of the animals at the sanctuary has his or her own name and a heart-wrenching story that led them to Maple Farm. Gwen the turkey, for example, is believed to have escaped from a small farm, destined to be someone’s dinner.
Facebook/Maple Farm Sanctuary
A hunter found her, injured from a possible coyote attack, and brought her to Maple Farm. Today, she’s friendly, curious, and a fan of people.
Facebook/Maple Farm Sanctuary
Maple Farm Sanctuary traditionally welcomes visitors to meet its residents and tour the farm annually from April through October. (However, tours are temporarily suspended due to Covid-19.)
Facebook/Maple Farm Sanctuary
If you get the opportunity to tour Maple Farm Sanctuary, take it. You’ll meet some of the 100 residents and get an up-close view of life at a farm animal sanctuary.
Facebook/Maple Farm Sanctuary
However, even if you can’t make it to the farm, you can still lend a helping hand. Each of the farm’s residents needs a sponsor to help with their continued care.
Facebook/Maple Farm Sanctuary
Sponsorships may be made monthly or annually, and you can choose the animal to sponsor. Those animals include Boo Boo the cow, Milkweed the llama, and Harriet the sheep.
Facebook/Maple Farm Sanctuary
Maple Farm Sanctuary also hosts events throughout the year and regularly recruits new volunteers.
Facebook/Maple Farm Sanctuary
Click here for the official website of Maple Farm Sanctuary. Or, go here for Facebook.
Facebook/Maple Farm Sanctuary
Have you been to this farm sanctuary in Massachusetts? Share your experience in the comments! Since we’re on the subject of animals, have you caught a glimpse of any of these four out-of-place animals in Massachusetts?
Facebook/Maple Farm Sanctuary
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Address: 101 North Ave, Mendon, MA 01756, USA
