To inspire kindness and compassion for farmed animals everywhere.
Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary, located in Campbellville, Ontario, Canada, was founded in 2014. Since it began, Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary has been dedicated to rescuing abused, neglected and abandoned farmed animals. Our goal is to provide a safe, life-long home for all of our residents, and to educate the public about the true nature of farmed animals through tours, volunteer programs, and community outreach.
Esther's owners, Steve and Derek, had adopted her as a six month old mini pig and were assured that as big as she would get. Then they discovered that she wasn't a "mini" pig at all ... she was, in fact, a six week old commercial pig, which means she should have been destined to be raised and butchered. Esther grew from being the size of a sneaker to over 650 pounds! They tried to raise her as long as they could in their house in Georgetown, just outside of Toronto. They eventually bought a 50 acre farm in Campbellville, about 45km west of Toronto, and opened the Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary and now take in animals that need homes. Steve and Derek have written a couple books about Esther and their sanctuary.
I'd been to the sanctuary two summers ago and was due for another visit.
When we got there, my friend, Christine, a HEEPS volunteer, was there.
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| Trish, me and Christine |
Trish and I had booked the 12pm tour ... Nicole was our guide.
Nicole had just started our tour when Esther came of out the house (she lives in the house with Steve and Derek). We had been warned that because of the heat she might not come out. But she did! So we all scampered over.
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| Here she comes! |
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| Derek told us about Esther and answered our questions |
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| Cornelius |
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| Steve tried to lure Esther into her pool to cool her down |
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| Yay! |
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| Derek and Steve signed their books for those who asked |
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| And then Esther went back inside |
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| Who wants a hug?! |
Nicole continued out tour and took us to visit the birds.
Then we went to the barn.
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| Nicole gave us the history of the barn and who lives in it |
We went outside ... and the pigs came out too and the volunteers interacted with them.
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| Trish loved the pigs :) |
The we moved over to the rabbit pen where there were also birds.
We walked around the enclosure and a volunteer brought Terry the bunny out.
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| Terry |
We got back on the path walked to the highest point on the property.
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| Pigs had followed us |
Then we went to visit the goats and sheep.
We got back on the path and went to see BJ, the donkey, and Escalade, the horse ... but it was too hot and sunny so they were under the shady trees so we didn't get to see them.
After the tour, we checked out the gift shop.
It was a fun visit again and yes, I will be back!
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