Sanctuary Residents
Stevie and Samson
Stevie and Sampson are half brothers that came from a breeder that wanted them gone because they didn’t ‘look’ the way they wanted. We brought them home and they have been the super snuggly ever since! They’re still figuring out what’s what since they were weaned from their mother early, before they were even 4 months old! They love it when people come to say “Hi” and enjoy being around people.
They are miniature donkeys who will likely stay under 3 feet tall since their parents were that size.
Piggie Smalls
Piggie Smalls (and his brother Chris P. Bacon who passed away in 2024) is an OG. He came from a farmer who was overwhelmed with the number of pot bellies they had (60+), as they kept multiplying. Luckily, we were able to take 2. He is sweet, shy and laid back and avoids people unless there is food involved. He’s gentle and takes treats very politely. He loves to take mud baths on hot days and is always ready for corn on the cob!
Petunia
Petunia was once a house pig and joined us shortly after her adopted mini-pig brothers. She’s incredibly intelligent, just like other pigs, and was even litter box trained in the house. She loves belly rubs also eating treats! Unlike her brother, she seeks attention from visitors to the barn - although we think its because she’s hopeful that she’ll get something special as a snack!
Potato
Potato, aka Tater-tot, is a jersey steer, and was destined to become somebody’s meal. We saved him from that destiny and brought him home in our Jeep to live with us instead.
He gave us a bit of a scare when he first got here as he became very ill. But with some TLC and lots of fluids and antibiotics, he bounced back. He is a little shy at first but warms up pretty quickly and everyone who meets him instantly falls in love. He is sweet, gentle but spunky and loves to do zoomies in his paddock.
Carole
Carole is about as sassy as they come! She has a very sweet side, but isn’t afraid to let you know when she wants something - usually food. She’ll push past the others to get to food - especially anything with carbs in it!
She was meant to be used for breeding but there will be no babies for this gal. She loves hanging out in the grass, relaxing and working on her tan. She enjoys spending time with her brothers but also enjoys a little “me” time.
Nigel
Nigel is a male Holstein steer. Like his brother Potato, he would have been used for meat as male cows have little use in the dairy industry. They are taken away from their mothers almost immediately after birth so that people can have the milk from the mother, instead of the calf. Luckily we were able to get him and give him the life he deserves.
Nigel is a gentle giant that towers over his siblings. He can be cautious when meeting new people or going into new situation, but he quickly figures out that he is safe and settles in. He loves napping, snuggling and grazing. He is very smart, inquisitive and will always let you know when he is hungry!
Albert
Albert is the most laid back and docile guy on the farm. He loves attention and pets. His most favourite thing in the world is apples!
He was sent to market but he had hoof rot and was marked for slaughter. We took him in instead and with foot soaks, antibiotics and antiseptic spray, he was good as new within a few weeks. Since then he’s been mingling and playing with all his lady friends.
Violet
Violet joined us in June 2022 after she had a complication delivering lambs at her original farm. She carried triplets and had a lot of injury during their birth requiring significant repair. She was never going to be able to birth any more lambs but her owners wanted her to have somewhere safe to live out her life. We decided to take her in to give her that security. Since arriving she’s made fast friends with Albert and the two of them snuggle together every night.
Molly
Molly came to us from a farm that was being sold. She was barren but so well liked by the farmers that they didn’t want to sell her with the flock. They knew that a sheep unable to have lambs was going to be killed and wanted Molly to have a long life
Since coming to our farm she’s fit in perfectly with the others. She loves people and will push her way through to get attention from anyone coming to the farm.
Bev and Stew
These guys were 3 months old when they came to us. Originally they were going to be used for breeding and for meat. But we couldn’t let that be their fate……so here they are!
They are nervous and shy but slowly warm up and learn to trust people over time. Once Stew knows you, he’ll even come up and give kisses! That said, with the help of snacks they’ll approach almost anyone! They love to play, climb, explore, and then snooze. They always stay together wherever they go throughout the yard.
Michael and Michelle
This pair came to us from another farm when Michael started having difficulty getting along with the other male goose. Chinese geese mate for life, so Michelle came along with him.
These guys are definitely the loudest creatures in the barn and notify the neighbourhood when someone is around. Michael likes to peck gently at people and will even crawl into your lap. Michelle will stand back and keep a jealous eye on her hubby.
Cranberry
Cranberry came to us from a rescue in the GTA. She has a neurologic condition that causes her to be incontinent of urine - and no one wanted to adopt a cat that leaked pee all the time! She’s adapted to life in the barn very well and, although she’s shy at first, enjoys being pet once she’s comfortable around you. The cutest thing about her is that when she meows, she doesn’t make any noise!
Tinker
Tinker was rescued by a family in Owen Sound as a stray but seemed to resent being a house cat. He refused to use a litter box and insisted on going outside. We were willing to take him in as a barn cat and he’s proven to be incredibly affectionate and loves people. He’s a favourite of our volunteers as he’s eager to jump into laps and arms to be snuggled and pet.
Katherine and Lorna
These two beautiful sisters came to us as kittens from another farm shortly after they were weaned from their mother. While they’re no longer kittensthey still love to climb and play. They’re curious and cuddly but like to get into trouble! They love being held and pet by people who come through the barn.
Leonard and Sheldon
This pair of feral cats came to us from a kill shelter in Quebec. Rather than let them be euthanized we offered the option of living out their lives as barn cats. They seem to have taken to the environment without any difficulty. They aren’t really interested in people at all but roam the barn and surrounding properties knowing they have a safe place to lay down every night.
Fun fact: both of them have extra thumbs on their hands!!
Dwight
Dwight was sent to us from Mississauga after his family realized he was never going to be an egg layer. This solo rooster is the (assistant to the) regional manager of our barn. Dwight is protective of all the animals and hovers around to make sure no one is doing anything they shouldn’t. He loves to perch on ledges and railing and look down over the animals to keep an eye on them.
Laverne and Shirley
We took these sisters from a home where they were backyard chickens. The family didn’t have a winterized coop for them so needed to find a new home for them. They were shy when they arrived but are already warming up to people. Laverne is more confident and looks out for her sister.
Eddie
Eddie is a husky/shepherd mix who was running lose and was hit by 2 cars, when he crossed the street to try to meet my dogs (we were out for our daily walk). He suffered a severed spinal cord, which caused paralysis. His owners were no longer able to care for him, so we adopted him. He had a long journey to recovery but he pulled through.
He is a typical husky and likes to speak his mind. He LOVES attention and needs everyone to only be petting him. He enjoys laying in the sun, playing in the snow, and going for walks in his cart.
Wally
Wally is a chihuahua mix who was picked up by the Los Angeles animal control when he was found alone on the streets of LA. He was paralyzed when he was found, so we aren’t too sure what happened to him. He was taken to a high kill shelter, where he sat for a month with no adoption interest. He was very scared and would try to bite anyone who touched him, out of fear. We happened to be in LA on vacation and heard about him through rescue friends. He had been placed on the “code red” list, which meant he was next to be euthanized. We immediately went to the shelter and adopted him.
Wally is very loving and cuddly with his trusted people. He is a true mama’s boy. He loves to nuzzle and burrow in blankets and when he barks, he sounds like a chicken!