Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary, located in Myakka City, Florida, was founded by Dave and Lisa Burns in 2017. It is a 100% volunteer-run organization. There are currently 106 animals at the sanctuary, including kangaroos, wallaroos, ducks, chickens, rabbits, pigs, geese, horses, ponies, turtles, tortoises, donkeys, peacocks, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, bearded dragon, prairie dogs, many species of birds, guinea pigs, dogs and goats of all sizes.
See the related feature article to this sidebar, "Exotic Animal Sanctuary Gets Duck and Turtle Pond."
Their mission is to care for, love and support the exotic and farm animals that live at the sanctuary for the remainder of their lives and to educate the public about animal care and nature. They are in the process of starting Hands, Hooves and Paws educational classes and one-on-one programs.
In January 2022, the sanctuary was named one of eight winners in the nationwide Tractor Supply Rescue Your Rescue contest, co-sponsored by Tractor Supply and Canidae Pet Foods. The award came with a $25,000 cash prize, which is being used to replace the front gate and repair many sections of the facility’s fencing in order to keep the animals safe. These timely repairs will also support their ongoing on-site education initiatives in the “outdoor classroom.”
For more information, visit these online outlets: Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary (www.farmhousesanctuary.org), on Facebook at facebook.com/farmhouseadventure and Instagram at instagram.com/farmhousesanctuary.
