Farm Animal Rescue & Care

Heartland has been recognized as one of the nation’s premier farm animal sanctuaries. We provide high-quality, specialized care, hope and healing for animals who have suffered abuse, neglect, and have nowhere else to go. Many of our rescued residents experience safety and compassion for the very first time after walking through our sanctuary doors.

Farm animals need love, too.

Farm animals in need aren’t usually something most people think about. However, each year many farm animals find themselves in need of shelter due to a variety of reasons. A farmer, facing financial hardship, may move from their farm and leave behind an animal or two to fend for itself. A city person may decide that hobby farm (and rooster crowing every morning) wasn’t such a great idea. Still other farm animals become victims of abuse or neglect. Unfortunately, most cat and dog shelters are not equipped to handle farm animals. And there just aren’t many folks eager to adopt a full-grown cow or pig as a companion animal. Sadly, most homeless farm animals face a very grim future. We want to change that.

Heartland is Wisconsin's first farm animal sanctuary​​

Heartland Farm Sanctuary is located on 38 beautiful acres in Stoughton, Wisconsin.

Our farm animal sanctuary offers rescue, care, rehabilitation services, and lifetime sanctuary to farm animals in need. If possible, we place animals in loving, permanent homes. And we serve as a resource for shelters and county agencies around the state who request our assistance with farm animal abandonment and cruelty cases.

All of our rescued farm animal residents have incredibly unique personalities, just like the dogs and cats many of us love and share our homes with. We invite you to see farm animals in the same light and get to know them as individuals.

MEET THE RESCUED CREW

A safe haven for farm animals​

Heartland is currently home to 13 different species of rescued farm animals. From pigs and chickens to cows and emus, we provide lifelong loving care and a safe forever home to each of our residents, and many hands make this possible!

Every day we muck out stalls, prepare nutritious, specialized meals, replenish hay racks and water bowls – it’s all part of the daily routine. And because many of our animals previously suffered from neglect and abuse, there are often special health care needs for many of our residents, along with regular hoof trimmings and grooming, dental check-ups, and more.

We have a big chore list each day, but thanks to our dedicated shelter staff and volunteers, our rescued residents are able to enjoy life to its fullest.

VOLUNTEER

What is Heartland Farm Sanctuary’s position on veganism?​

What does it mean to “be vegan”? Veganism is the lifestyle or practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals.  

Our mission at Heartland Farm Sanctuary is to inspire compassion for animals, the earth, and each other, which is in direct alignment with reducing suffering in every way we can. Do we advocate for veganism? Yes, we advocate for compassionate choices whenever and wherever possible, and we believe that not consuming or using animals or animal products is a major step in living compassionately. We know that our rescued farm animal residents (and farm animals everywhere) want the same things we do: to feel safe, to experience love and companionship, and to live a life on their own terms – free from harm.

At Heartland, we educate our volunteers, visitors,  and our program participants about the realities farm animals face when they are not living the sanctuary life. We also educate about how incredibly similar farm animals are to the companion animals we already love and with whom we share our lives.  Additionally, we serve an all vegan menu at all HFS events to  showcase how delicious eating compassionately can taste.

We encourage every single  step leading to a more compassionate lifestyle. Did you try oat milk in your coffee this morning? Fantastic! Is your family giving Meatless Mondays a shot? Awesome! Looking for amazing vegan recipes to try? Ask us!

And, we invite you to visit our sanctuary to meet our rescued farm animal residents, get to know their remarkable personalities,  and experience the connections they form with us and each other.  Every day our animal residents teach us an incredible amount about compassion and empathy  simply by being themselves.

We realize that life is a different journey for everyone and small steps often lead to lasting change.  At Heartland we strive to create lasting change by educating, encouraging, and inviting you to have a seat at our table.  We’re here and we welcome your questions. Because inspiring compassion for all beings means having compassion for yourself, too. 

Our Rescued Residents

Heartland has been recognized as one of the nation’s premier farm animal sanctuaries. We provide high-quality, specialized care, hope and healing for animals who have suffered abuse, neglect, and have nowhere else to go. Many of our rescued residents experience safety and compassion for the very first time after walking through our sanctuary doors.

The vast majority of rescued animals who find hope at Heartland will remain at the sanctuary for their entire lives. When possible, we place animals in safe and loving homes. And we serve as a resource for shelters and county agencies around the state who request our assistance with farm animal abandonment and cruelty cases.

MEET THE ANIMALS

  • Cookie

  • Cupcake

  • Archer

  • Arnold

  • Blue

  • Blossom

  • Chachi

  • Fonsi

  • Donna

  • Crystal

  • Toast

  • Esme

  • Fern

  • Flower

  • Gracie

  • Harriet

  • Joan

  • Sable

  • Justice

  • Libby (Liberty)

  • Maybelle

  • Mick

  • Thor

  • Orion

  • Mister

  • Percy

  • Pico

  • Ash

  • Tank

  • Teddy

  • Theo

  • Rascal

  • Popcorn

  • Venus

  • Vincenzo

  • Xena

  • Zeus

  • Stella

  • Ms. Everdeen

  • Goldie

  • Missy

  • Wolfie

  • Petri

  • Alice

  • Sassafras

  • Jerry

  • Frankie

  • Murphy

  • Truffle

  • Honey

  • Betty White

  • Laverne

  • Shirley

  • Cream Puff

  • Hank

  • Dandelion

  • Maple

  • Penny

  • Ruth

  • Betula

  • Aspen

  • Brucey

  • Leif

  • Gunnar

  • Bebe

Change Lives With Your Gift

Your tax-deductible donation to Heartland Farm Sanctuary allows us to care for farm animals in need and operate our unique people programs that inspire compassion for animals, the earth and each other.

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