What should I expect on a tour?

Expect to visit a working farmed animal sanctuary! Our tours are 75-90 minutes of walking on uneven ground, standing, and discussing the stories of our residents and the realities of the animal agriculture industry. Prepare for the elements: heat, sun, wind, or fog, and dirt, mud, dirty pig noses, dander, and pollen. While we are not a petting zoo (no treat hand-outs!), some of our residents enjoy interacting with you! Overall, we ask that you respect each residents’ boundaries and pay attention to the tour guide for your own safety and the safety of the residents.

what else should I bring?

Bring a water bottle; you can refill it on-site if needed. If you want to bring snacks, we require that they be entirely vegan (free of animal products/byproducts). You may not feed our residents; most of them are on special diets to keep them healthy after being bred to gain too much weight.

Please do not bring companion animals, even if they are just going to stay in your car.

Bring your camera or phone if you want to take photos!

There is no smoking allowed on premises.

Where are you located?

The sanctuary is located in Nicasio on a private residence. Our address will be shared once your tour has been booked. The property is gated, so please call us to let us know you’ve arrived and we will let you in. Nicasio can be located from Hwy 101 or Hwy 1, via Sir Francis Drake Blvd. or Lucas Valley Road. Contact us.

Are you accessible to those with disabilities, the elderly, or impairments?

We’d love to find a way to make your visit meaningful, but we should let you know: our standard visitor days and events may not be the best fit, and you should contact us in advance of booking so we can work out a plan. The sanctuary has very little flat space, uneven terrain, environmental hazards, free-roaming animals, and mostly unpaved roads, but there are certain areas of the sanctuary that might accommodate those who are differently-abled. If you’d like to discuss what’s possible, please get in touch.

• Wheelchair/walker accessibility: Unfortunately, we are not a wheelchair-accessible facility, though we are hoping to fix that in the future. Those using a walker can have been able to get around the flat areas of the sanctuary and interact with our barn residents through a fence. We are in the process of determining if we can upgrade to a more accessible port-a-potty, but at this time, it’s a hurdle to welcoming those in wheelchairs and walkers.

• Service animals: While personal companion animals are not allowed, service dogs trained to assist those with disabilities are welcome. Fred Astaire, our fabulous turkey tom and welcome committee, has a tendency to chase off dogs, so it’s important make sure your dog is non-reactive around other animals to avoid altercations.

• Deaf, blind, or other impairments: Interacting with the sanctuary residents in their living spaces is not considered safe for our deaf and blind friends, as our residents have complete access to all parts of their living spaces and could cause unforeseen accidents to those who are unable to hear or see them approaching.

• Animal Therapy: our residents do not perform labor and are not raised to be therapy animals. Our staff and volunteers are also not trained in animal therapy. While we acknowledge that being around animals is undeniable therapeutic in some instances, the sanctuary residents live life on their terms—which can sometimes invite chaos or dangerous situations.

Are children allowed to visit?

We love having youth visit (and even volunteer at) the sanctuary. Children must be aged 12 and up in order to participate in a majority of our programs and must have a parent or guardian supervising them. Note, our standard tours are comprised of walking, standing, and talking about topics related to animal welfare and may not be a younger person’s idea of entertainment; it just depends on each child! Keep in mind, we’re not a petting zoo, though guests have opportunities to meet and pet some of our residents. If you are still interested in a private tour for you and your family, send us an email to figure out what our options are. Also, check out our events calendar for family-friendly events.

what if i need to cancel my tour?

If you need to cancel your visit, please let us know ASAP. Refunds are provided when cancellations are received via email 7 days prior to the tour date.

Tours may be cancelled day-of due to inclement weather like heavy rain, or in emergencies with our animals or staff, in which case you will be offered a full refund or a rescheduling date.

I can’t afford to visit at this time. How can I still experience a visit to the sanctuary?

While our intention is never to intentionally exclude anyone, we understand our pricing and location may be cost-prohibitive. We establish the tax-deductible pricing at a rate that allows us to continue doing this costly work, while prioritizing the sanctuary residents’ safety in not have a constant influx of outside visitors. If you are experiencing financial insecurity and identify with a systemically & historically under-served and under-resourced community (BIPOC & LQBTQ+), please contact us to find out about discounted/sliding-scale tickets, volunteer-trade, or scholarships.

If you are someone in a position to make a donation and pay-it-forward, thank you! Please donate here.