Maple Farm Sanctuary

Post by AVN member, Kristin

Tucked away in a cozy corner of Mendon, MA is a warm and friendly place where farm animals can frolic in peace, mingle with their friends, and be pampered by those who truly care about their well-being.

Maple Farm Sanctuary (MFS), co-founded in by Cheri Ezell-Vandersluis (a former goat farmer) and Jim Vandersluis (a former dairy farmer), is home to over 80 animals, providing "lifelong homes for abused, abandoned and unwanted farmed animals while promoting veganism and respect for all life through public information."

I was introduced to Maple Farm Sanctuary through a friend and have since begun volunteering to clean stalls, prepare meals, and soak up the goodness of the other volunteers and of the spirited animals. 

Left: Tori with MFS volunteer Tommy 

Right: MFS co-founder Cheri with Habibi

A few weeks ago the Albany VegNetwork put together a goody bag for the farm. The Farm is always in need of gauze, vet wrap, neosporin, Q-tips, digital thermometers, mineral oil, baking soda, and old blankets, sheets and towels.

Dave and Jan packing up goodies

All of the animals are wonderful, but I do have a soft spot for the llamas. I have never spent much time with llamas before (or pigs, goats, sheep and cows for that matter) but there is something about their big soft eyes, pronounced under bites and clever tricks (like quickly snatching the hat off of an unsuspecting passerby) that really warms my heart.

Also, having grown up around horses, and now seeing less of them since moving to Boston, I can't get enough of the horse barn at MFS. When I walk into the barn, the sounds, smells and even the way the air settles, is so comforting. It somehow grounds me again... every time. It never gets old.

I can't write about MFS and not include one exceptional volunteer by the name of Eva. A vegetarian most of her life, and now vegan, Eva has always had a passion for animal welfare. After a 2007 visit to relatives (who own dairy cows) in Ireland, Eva decided that she wanted to do more. She sought out a local farm sanctuary and found MFS. Her superior volunteer efforts led to more involvement in which she helped to organize and run the 2008 MFS open house, and now also gives farm tours, recruits and trains new volunteers, and helps with website updates - just a few of her tasks. From personal experience, Eva is incredibly dedicated and driven... and is quite simply, an outstanding volunteer!

Eva and Kristin with one of the llamas

More MFS animal pictures...