FAQ

When our co-founders decided to start a farm together, they had to learn how to compromise - big time. In the beginning, Oliver was still an omnivore and Eryn was a longtime vegan, so they had different ideas of what they wanted their farm to look like based on their lifestyles. While they may have found their perfect balance on that topic since then, relationships are all about evolution and compromise, and when you combine them with an enterprise like a farm, compromise becomes your middle name. Don’t worry: We never compromise on quality or animal care!

Additionally, since we both grow food and keep animals from being food here, the organization is a happy compromise of explaining who we should not be eating (our friends) while also showing what we should be eating (nutritious and climate-friendly fruits and veggies)!

Currently, the main way to visit the sanctuary is by becoming a regular volunteer or attending one of our open volunteer days, where we do an informal tour at the end. We do not currently offer regular tours besides volunteer days due to staffing and time constraints.

Additionally, it’s important to note that animal sanctuaries are not petting zoos, though they may seem similar. Petting zoos exist for human entertainment while legit animal sanctuaries are nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations that provide individualized care for rescued animals and don’t ever force animals to interact if they don’t want to. Farmed animal sanctuaries also tend to educate the public about veganism and how to live without causing harm to other species or other humans. For more on the distinction between sanctuaries and petting zoos, check out this article from our friends at Open Sanctuary.

While we truly wish we could offer limitless homes for animals in need, that’s not the reality of our financial, time, or space situation. Currently, we are near our capacity for animal residents. However, we will do our best to help you network with someone else who may be able to help if you reach out with details of the animal(s) and situation.

There are so many ways to help! Financial donations are currently our greatest need - please see this page for all of the many ways to make a donation. Donations are all tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

We are also always in need of regular volunteers if you’re local to Waverly, NY! We ask for a commitment of at least one volunteer shift per week for six months. You can find our volunteer application here. Have other skills that we haven’t mentioned and looking to put them to use? Our open volunteer days (the second Saturday of the month and the last Sunday of the month from 10a - 2p) are also a great, low commitment way to get involved. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!

Looking for a big-picture way to help? If you haven’t already, please consider switching to a vegan lifestyle. It’s our hope that animal sanctuaries aren’t even needed in the future because so many people will have woken up to the cruelties of animal exploitation and decided to live healthier lives for themselves, the animals, and the planet.

We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we provide sanctuary to animals and grow food is the occupied territory of the Susquehannock and Haudenosaunee people, who stewarded this land throughout generations. As an organization, we pay our respect to elders both past and present.