The Farm Animal Sanctuary at the Inn at Mountain View Farm
“The word ‘sanctuary’ cuts both ways. We sanctuary these rescued animals, but they also provide sanctuary for us as well.”
As a guest at the Inn at Mountain View Farm, when you take a tour of the Mountain View Farm Animal Sanctuary, you are likely to hear John Pastore, its founder, says just that.
You will experience a calmness from the animals that is relaxing and healthy. Over the years since the sanctuary’s founding in 2003, many guests of the Inn have remarked on the sanctuary as among the most memorable experiences they enjoyed while visiting the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Hearing the life stories of these rescued horses, cows, and goats can be a deeply moving experience. And witnessing their contentment and newly healthy bodies and personalities has a calming effect on us all. Maybe it is because we sense that being good to animals, walking in open fields, and listening to the silence refreshes our own spirit.
The farm animals rescued here have either been saved from dire situations of abuse or neglect or have been voluntarily surrendered by good owners who could no longer care for them. The emphasis has been on rescuing needy farm animals from our part of Vermont, but in fact, many of our horses were rescued from the auction block in states far from New England. In those cases especially, their condition on arrival here can demand considerable attention to their physical and psychological maladies. However, in virtually all cases, after six months to a year, they look wonderful and have regained their trust in humans. Following the accreditation rules of the American Sanctuary Association, the animals are allowed to live out their days in the idyllic setting here on the Inn’s 440 beautiful Vermont acres.
Besides its rescue function, the sanctuary is also an educational resource in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. The sanctuary sponsors learning programs for pre-school and school-age children. In addition, for owners of all ages, equine experts are brought in to demonstrate the ideal horse-to-owner relationship.
The Mountain View Farm Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit charitable corporation here in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom and encourages tax-deductible contributions to foster its rescue and educational efforts or to sponsor an animal.
Inn guests and other visitors who would like a tour of the sanctuary are welcome to contact Michelle or Carolyn, who is reachable through the Inn’s main telephone number: (802) 626-9924.
We also invite you to visit the sanctuary’s website at: www.mvfas.org.