I recently had the opportunity to visit Barn Hill Preserve of Delaware. Read below for more information about the Preserve (and photos!).
Barn Hill Preserve Founders Gabe Ligon and Josh Mueller have a passion for animals and education. They have grown Barn Hill into a thriving haven for exotic animals, conservation initiatives, and educational programs with locations in Delaware and Louisiana.
Barn Hill Preserve of Delaware is home to over 25 species of exotic animals including two-toed sloths, red kangaroos, an aardvark, otters, owls, big cats, reptiles, and more!
They offers many ways to meet and learn about their exotic animal ambassadors, including educational, hands-on tours, Kangaroo Yoga, Otter Swims, Sippin’ with Sloths, Munchin’ with Monkeys, and so many more. All events start with a 45 minute educational presentation featuring some of their awesome animal ambassadors. Visitors also get the opportunity to hold, touch, and get close to many of the Preserve’s residents.
All of Barn Hill’s ambassador animals are rescues. Many of their reptiles and farm animals are owner surrenders, while their more exotic residents are rescued from zoos and were born in captivity. None of these animals could survive on their own in the wild since many are not native to North America and none have lived in the wild. The staff works tirelessly and compassionately to care for and attend to the needs of these beautiful animals.
If you find yourself in the Frankford, Delaware, make sure to check out Barn Hill Preserve! It’s a great opportunity to learn about and support the conservation of exotic animals, and a truly fun and unforgettable experience.
Animal welfare and conservation is a cause near and dear to my heart, and I’ve had the privilege of visiting many animal sanctuaries in the last few years. Check out more blogs (and photos!) of my animal sanctuary visits here.
Learn more and support Barn Hill Preserve of Delaware on their website.
Enzo is a spunky pig who was mysteriously found running through the streets of downtown Lancaster one year ago in July of 2017. Her cropped tail suggests that she managed to escape from a livestock truck on her way to another meat farm or to a butchering plant. This amazing feat earned her the loving name of Enzo the Escape Artist by her rescuer, Francesca!
Francesca was on her way to work when she spotted Enzo dodging through traffic. Without hesitation she jumped out of her car and chased Enzo down so she could ensure her safety. After sending a selfie with Enzo to her employer to prove her unbelievable excuse for her tardiness, Francesca brought her to veterinary emergency office where she learned that Enzo, who she thought was a boy, was actually a girl! Regardless, the name Enzo stuck.
Now two years later, Enzo is so happy and healthy! She was a mere 6 pounds when rescued, but is now an estimated 450 pounds at 2 years old.
Currently, Enzo lives nearby with some fellow rescued pigs and boars (rescued from a trophy hunting situation) and a couple with huge hearts for animals! It’s so great to see Enzo happy, healthy, and with friends!
Here With Us Farm Sanctuary Seven Valleys, York, PA
Here With Us Farm Sanctuary is a farm animal rescue located in Seven Valleys, PA. They were founded in July of 2018 in Lancaster but recently moved to their forever property in March of 2019! Their mission is to provide a safe and loving home to farm animals who have been abused and neglected, while also showing people that farm animals are just like us—individuals with personalities and feelings. They currently have more than 20 amazing animals at their sanctuary!
Meet the animal residents of Here With Us Farm Sanctuary below:
Ronnie Male Calf
Ronnie was born on a dairy farm. Being a boy means he was of no use to the farm in terms of producing milk, so he was going to be sent to slaughter. Thankfully, the farmers had a change of heart and sent him to live peacefully at Here With Us Farm Sanctuary. Ronnie has the company of two other male calves, including Reggie, who came from the same farm, and Rufus! All three boys are happy and healthy.
Reggie Male Calf
Reggie was born on the same dairy farm as Ronnie. Since he is a boy and cannot produce milk for the farm, he was going to be sent to slaughter. Thankfully, the farmers had a change of heart. Reggie is a shy young boy, but when he warms up you will be treated to his sweet personality and affection. When I met Reggie a recent vet visit had him extra timid, but I was surprised and thankful to find him approaching me and my camera after just a short time in the pasture with him!
Rufus Augustine Male Calf
With his captivating and large eyes, light brown coat, and adorable knobby knees, Rufus bears the resemblance of a baby deer! Rufus has had an interesting life so far. He was born on a dairy farm (not the same one as Ronnie and Reggie) and taken from his mother. He was destined for slaughter since he could not provide milk for the farm. Believe it or not, a group of monks learned about Rufus and stepped in to negotiate for his life. Rufus was transported to and fostered by Indraloka Animal Sanctuary before he was able to move to Here With Us Farm Sanctuary to live out his life peacefully and happily.
Jack Nigerian Dwarf Goat
This handsome 6-year-old Nigerian dwarf goat is Jack. Him and his buddy Sheldon are owner surrenders who were given a new home at Here With Us Farm Sanctuary. Here With Us was told that Jack and Sheldon were going to be shot if they did not find a new home. Jack seems to have suffered neglect by his last owner as he is still timid and learning to trust humans. He’s never received vaccinations and came to Here With Us with worms and mites which might be the cause of the missing hair on his face. Jack has one twisted horn which givens him a unique and distinguished look.
Sheldon Nigerian Dwarf Goat
Meet Sheldon! He and Jack are owner surrenders who were rescued by Here With Us Farm Sanctuary. Sheldon and Jack were going to be shot if they did not find a new home. Sheldon seems to have suffered neglect by his last owner as he is still timid and learning to trust humans. He’s never received vaccinations in his 6 years and came to Here With Us with worms and mites. He is quarantined with Jack while he gets healthy but will soon get to join the rest of the goats at the sanctuary in the large pasture!
Alice Boer Goat
Alice has the best ears in the game! This proud mother goat was rescued from an extremely overcrowded farm. More than 100 goats where living in a small area with virtually no grass and very little human interaction. Her baby boy Eddie was rescued and lives with her at Here With Us Farm Sanctuary. Once she is completely healthy and ready, she will get to join the rest of the goats at Here With Us in the large pasture.
Eddie Baby Boer Goat
Eddie is Alice’s sweet baby boy! He is a bit shy right now, which is no surprise given the difficult start to his life on an overcrowded farm without human interaction. Eddie is very curious and sure to melt many hearts of visitors of Here With Us Farm Sanctuary in the future. Look at that smile!
Indie and Emma Goats
Indie and Emma were saved from the same overcrowded farm as Alice and Eddie. They are still timid as they learn to trust humans after their rough experience before coming to Here With Us Farm Sanctuary. Indie and Emma are being fostered at Here With Us temporarily, but will eventually live at Huckleberry Trails Animal Sanctuary when they are ready!
Millie American Lamancha Goat
Millie arrived at Here With Us as an owner surrender with her fellow Lamancha goat friend Cocoa. She came as a shy 6 year old who would not allow people to approach her. She hasn’t been at the sanctuary long, but she has already started to open up and accept some pets and scratches from humans. She lives in the big pasture with Cocoa, Patrick, and Darby. Lamancha goats have very small ears. Look how cute Millie’s are!
Cocoa American Lamancha Goat
Cocoa arrived along with Millie as an owner surrender. Like Millie, she was very shy at first but has already started to open up thanks to the loving and compassionate care she receives at Here With Us Farm Sanctuary. She clearly has a playful and curious personality. She is sure to become a big hit at the sanctuary! Cocoa’s ears are even smaller than Millie’s and are so cute!
Patrick Boer Goat
Patrick, along with his friend Darby, is the first resident of Here With Us Farm Sanctuary. Back when Patrick first arrived in July 2018, Here With Us was just starting in a small Lancaster County backyard. They have grown a lot since then, and so has Patrick. He is a handsome goat with a big beard and a lovable underbite!
Darby Mixed Breed Goat
Darby is the second half to the goat duo that started Here With Us Farm Sanctuary. Both he and Patrick were saved from a neglectful farm. They were malnourished and walked on their knees due to hoof rot. Darby has recovered nicely and has become very friendly and happy. He always has a little smile on his face which is evident in these photos!
Ralph Rooster
Ralph rules the roost at Here With Us Farm Sanctuary. He is stunningly handsome with deep black eyes and bright orange and iridescent feathers. Ralph was found as a stray and is believed to have survived a scuffle with a cat. He was saved by Animal Care & Control Team Philly (ACCT Philly) and transported to Here With Us. Ralph is also the sanctuary’s alarm clock and wakes everyone up at 5:40 a.m. sharp every morning!
Peanut, Tofu, Happy, & Peg Cornish Cross Chickens
These pretty ladies all came from a massive SPCA rescue in Philadelphia. Over 1,000 baby chicks were saved from filthy living conditions where they lacked food and water. All of these chickens would have been taken to slaughter. Cornish Cross chickens are typically bred for meat consumption. They are bred to grow at an extremely fast rate so that they are are slaughter weight at just 8 weeks old. They are now about 8 months old and will live peacefully with the other wonderful animals at the sanctuary.
Ziggy Stardust, Tara Lucy, & Willow Golden Comet Chickens
These Golden Comet chickens are all owner surrenders. Having suffered poor treatment in the past, they are at this point incredibly shy and keep their distance from humans, especially Tara Lucy and Willow. In time they are sure to warm up and welcome more direct interaction with people. The important thing is that they are now safe and part of a loving home.
Learn more about Here With Us Farm Sanctuary by visiting their website. Donations can be made online via their Patreon Page.
Animal advocacy is a cause near and dear to my heart, so I had a blast photographing all the beautiful, animal residents of Lancaster Farm Sanctuary on a warm and sunny April afternoon! All the animals I met were happy, lively, and so lovable with big personalities of their own. The Sanctuary, a 501c3 non-profit, provides a safe and loving home for sick, injured, and abandoned animals. Founded in July 2017, they have saved and become the home to goats, ducks, chickens, a turkey, cows, and sheep during just their first two years.
Meet the animal residents of Lancaster Farm Sanctuary below:
Rose Goat
This is Rose. She and her babies, JuneBug and Pip, were rescued from neglect and overcrowding the day the babies were born. Mom and babies are very happy in their new home and spend their time with another mom and baby goat named Kim and Beatrice. Isn’t she beautiful?
Pip Baby Goat
Shout out to Pip! This bouncing baby is full of life and love. She is the happiest baby goat I have ever met. Pip was so curiously following me around, climbing on my back while I was crouched taking photos, and giving me cuddles. She is only about one month old and is one of the newest residents at Lancaster Farm Sanctuary. Pip lives with her mother, Rose, and sister, JuneBug.
JuneBug Baby Goat
JuneBug is Rose’s other baby girl. She can frequently be found right by her mother’s side. June leaves the wild, bouncing baby goat antics to her sister, Pip!
Kim Goat
Meet Kim! She’s a new mama and new resident at Lancaster Farm Sanctuary. This beautiful goat and her beautiful baby Bea (short for Beatrice) are so happy and thriving in their new forever home after being rescued from neglect and over crowding. Kim, as well as her other goat mama friend named Rose, are so sweet and gentle. They have a huge capacity for love and compassion.
Beatrice Baby Goat
Beatrice (Bea for short) is Kim’s precious one-month-old baby. Look at that smile!
Stanley Boer Goat
This handsome goat is Stanley. He is a Boer goat, which is a breed commonly raised for meat. Stanley came to Lancaster Farm Sanctuary with some mobility challenges, but that hasn’t stopped him from living life to the fullest! In fact, his mobility challenges are what saved him from the goat meat farm where he previously lived. He is happy and so sweet, and he enjoys the company of a Pygmy goat, a turkey, and a Plymouth Rock chicken (with many other animal friends nearby and throughout the sanctuary).
Benji Pygmy Goat
Benji came to Lancaster Farm Sanctuary as a very young baby. After recovering from illness and abandonment at just two days old, he is thriving and happy!
Livingston Pygmy Goat
Livingston, or Livvie as he is affectionately known as by Lancaster Farm Sanctuary, is a lovely black and white Pygmy goat. He loves his fellow goats at the Sanctuary and shares a pen with Tammy the Turkey and Mary Margaret the Plymouth Rock chicken. It’s great to see multiple species living peacefully together! Livingston was originally purchased at a market to be kept as a pet, but the purchaser quickly realized that their dogs did not appreciate his presence. Fearing their dogs would harm or kill him, Livvie was given to Lancaster Farm Sanctuary to live a peaceful, happy life.
Abby, Patrick, Gertrude Hair Sheep
Meet Abby (adult, black and white), Patrick (white lamb), and Gertrude (black lamb). They are a happy sheep family at Lancaster Farm Sanctuary. Momma sheep Abby was rescued by the Large Animal Protection Society (LAPS) from a neglectful, homesteading situation during her pregnancy. She then gave birth to Patrick and Gertrude (otherwise known as Gertie) on St. Patrick’s Day! Patrick in particular really seemed to love the camera and always has a smile.
Meris Sheep
Meet Meris! This gentle soul is adjusting to his new life at Lancaster Farm Sanctuary. Sadly, he suffered abuse and isolation in his old home. It took him some time, but he is growing to trust humans again. Meris has also grown very close to momma sheep Abby and her children, Patrick and Gertrude. He has a happy little family and a new wonderful life!
Bessie and TrueHeart Jersey Cows
Meet Bessie (brown) and her mother TrueHeart (beige)! They live at Lancaster Farm Sanctuary. They are both Jersey cows that were acquired by their previous owners for milking, but after they had a change of heart about using them as dairy cows, they came to live at the Sanctuary. Bessie and TrueHeart are nearly inseparable and so happy to be living together at Lancaster Farm Sanctuary!
Santosha Broad Breasted White Turkey
Santosha is a sweet and gentle turkey. She was saved from a factory farm, which is why her beak is partially cut and her toes are cut down to nubs. An animal advocate asked the farmer to allow one turkey to be spared from butchering around Thanksgiving of 2018. Santosha is that lucky soul. She came to the Sanctuary extremely traumatized and afraid of people, but she has come a long way and often allows people to pet her soft feathers or colorful neck.
Tammy Bronze Heritage Turkey
Tammy most likely ran away backyard butcher raising her for their Thanksgiving dinner. She was found in upstate Pennsylvania and made her way to Lancaster Farm Sanctuary through the kindness of some animal advocates. Tammy seems to have a special way of connecting and becoming in tune with the other animals around her at the Sanctuary. She also has a very special bond with Sarah, one of the co-founders of Lancaster Farm Sanctuary. She enjoys following Sarah around and even snuggling up to her leg while Sarah is using power tools! Tammy is a very special turkey! At the time of this shoot (May), Tammy was busy brooding (laying eggs and incubating them). Tammy lays eggs only during this time of year.
Frankie Muscovy Duck
Frankie is a male Muscovy duck that was surrendered by his owner. He was originally given as an Easter gifts as a chick. Luckily, the Sanctuary gave him a safe home after his owner could not care for him.
Feathered Friends
Among the many feathered friends at Lancaster Farm Sanctuary are multiple groups of chickens. Many of these birds were saved from the meat and egg industries. Some saved after falling off trucks and others surrendered or abandoned. They are all beautiful though! From Mary Margaret (the boisterous black and white hen), to Patsy and Eddie (beige), and everyone else, all of these birds are special. They are all so fortunate to live out their lives in peace and with loving and caring humans at Lancaster Farm Sanctuary.
Lancaster Farm Sanctuary shared this kind review after our shoot.
“It is a real pleasure to work with Chris when he takes portraits of animals. He came to our farm sanctuary and showed so very much respect for them and talent in his craft of capturing the beauty of our farm animal residents. Thank you Chris!”
Learn more about Lancaster Farm Sanctuary by visiting their website. Donations can be made online via their website.
I absolutely love visiting animal sanctuaries to capture the portraits of rescued animals so I can tell their stories! I am honored to have been welcomed to this private sanctuary in Lancaster. For the privacy and safety of the animals and owners, I cannot share names or their location. But, these animals are well loved and cared for. The animal residents include several boars rescued from staged trophy hunts, potbelly and farm pigs, chickens and ducks, and adorable donkeys. This sanctuary is doing great work and saving many precious lives!
Chris Corrao: Stories & Portraits 