I ncredible! Summer is just about over and we’ve had so many fun highlights. The best part is what we’ve encountered, on a daily basis, right here on the hill.

So much wildlife at the Sanctuary, too!

You know you live in the country when every day you not only see your resident rescued farm animals but so much wildlife. Deer, turkeys, and bears ‘oh my’! And that is not all, our rescued doggies have also come back home with porcupine quills in their snouts, chased the bumblebees and have also been chased by mama sparrows guarding their babies! But what amazed us were all the various types of frogs and toads we found living on the sanctuary. Who knew there were so many sizes and patterns? We found a chubby salamander and her tiny babies, prehistoric looking insects, psychedelic looking spiders and well the list goes on. The sounds of summer have been pretty neato as well, like a mini concert of insects, birds and even coyotes. One of our favorite parts was watching the summer sunsets with the hippy kids grazing and resting. What peace and joy!

“Hay Hay” says Tallulah!

Spreading the word ….

As we enjoyed the sights and sounds, so did many others. We are so excited that the stories of the hippy kids and pink girls spread and continues to thanks to our volunteers, family and friends! We had about 50 people at first open volunteer day. It was a big success. Some of our main supporters raised donations – so grateful as every donation helps so much! We were also interviewed for Sanctuary Tour’s podcast to help spread the word! Please listen to it here: sanctuarytour.org/podcast/episode-5-jp-farm-animal-sanctuary

The pig barn is almost finished! ?

The pig barn for the pink girls is almost done. We had the groundbreaking in June, built most of it by ourselves and then had a professional crew finish the roof this past weekend. We had volunteers help begin the fencing and hope to get another day of volunteers to help complete the fence. As we approach their arrival in mid September, we continue to prepare!

We got a hay elevator a few months ago (can you imagine Oscar would toss up each bail every time after he picked up the order)! Now we get it delivered and use the elevator…so much better. We also stocked up on second cutting hay which the cows love.

One highlight the cows did not love was how hot it got…thank goodness for the summer haircuts to keep them cool. So now the weather change is great for them. The cool breezes that have come in the last week have had the hippy kids moving a little quicker and even running and doing happy hind leg kicks in the air! Even Brody, who moves slowly because of his hip dysplasia, was ready to get out to the field to smell and feel the breeze.

Volunteer highlights

We hope to keep the momentum of JP Farm Animal Sanctuary getting noticed as we grow so that the stories will help more animals in need and inspire compassionate living for all.

Would you like to be a part of the sanctuary community? Sign up for our newsletter, write us, share our sanctuary with others, volunteer or make a donation.

Love from the farm,
Britt

O ur passion is to help animals that have no way of escaping the cruelty and harm that are done to millions of them each day on this planet. That is one of the reasons we started JP Farm Animal Sanctuary. We know we can’t rescue them all but would like to be able to help those that we can. We have also learned that it is hard to do everything on your own. Building barns and fences cost a lot of money as well as buying hay and grain. It takes time to manage a farm, always something to do!

There was such a great turnout of beautiful spirits!

We have seen other sanctuaries talk about volunteers and have gone to conferences to learn how to organize but you never know how things will work out. So when we planned our first volunteer day we really didn’t know what to expect. Were we going to get engaged people to come to our farm in Litchfield on a beautiful Summer day; when they could be going to the beach or having a picnic with family and friends. It was almost ten thirty and we started to see this caravan of cars coming up the driveway. We were so excited to meet everyone as they got out of their cars. We had professionals on hand, they brought tools, water and sunscreen and most of all a passion for saving animals. We had an amazing day as we started the fencing for the ‘Pink Girls’ and then we were able to clear two of the cow pasture from rocks and sticks so the cows could walk in the fields much easier. As some of you know Brody and Grady have hip dysplasia so it is very difficult for them to walk and they can’t always lift their back legs to move over the rocks or sticks.

Smiles and kind faces in every direction ….

Meet and greet with the cows

There was a meet and greet with the cows and I think the ‘Hippy Kids’ enjoyed the attention. They probably would have liked more brushing but soft spoken words to tell them how beautiful they are is always special.

Making a connection ?

Everyone brought something for the pot-luck lunch, we had a delicious variety of foods to choose from. All food was vegan, colorful and satisfying for the hard work everyone was doing. It is quite fun to share recipes that are easy, tasty and are made with kindness!

We had an amazing day as we started the fencing for the ‘Pink Girls’ and then we were able to clear two of the cow pasture from rocks and sticks so the cows could walk in the fields much easier.

Well then it was back to work for a few more hours and finish up the task at hand. Thanks to the kitchen crew who cleaned up and took care of the food and dishes. It was an amazing day getting to know new friends. Oscar and I want everyone to know how grateful we are for their generous offer to come and help us with our Sanctuary. The ‘Furry Kids’ are grateful too!

Would you like to be a part of the sanctuary community? Sign up for our newsletter, write us, share our sanctuary with others, volunteer or make a donation.

Love cows, pigs and volunteers,
Lynn

D o you remember when my mom and I met all those inspiring people at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in June at their Jamboree? Well Kim Beller was one of them who has now become a new and dear friend of JP Farm Animal Sanctuary and all the residents here.

Kim Beller playing the harmonium for the cows!

It was divine timing when we met Kim as she was just embarking on her own journey with her new Sanctuary Tour podcast series. After hearing our story of rescuing the cows, she wanted to interview us! So a couple of visits later, Kim recorded Oscar, Lynn, me, and the hippy kids’ story which will be available to listen to on August 28 on her website.

Kim interviewing Oscar, Lynn & Britt for her Sanctuary Tour podcast series.

One of the commonalities we share is that we would love to see all beings happy and free. In fact, we share a favorite Sanskrit mantra, ‘Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu’ which translates “May all beings be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute to that happiness and freedom for all.” Kim was so excited that she found this on our website as well since it is her daily practice to chant this mantra. During her first visit she brought her harmonium instrument and sang this for the cows…and they definitely were attracted to the music, especially Ethan!

Not only did we relate to Kim in so many ways but also her mission resonated with us: “..to connect humans with animals by sharing and highlighting the work of animal sanctuaries around the globe, cultivating a more compassionate, awake world one sanctuary at a time.” So it seemed apropos that she met all the Scottish Highland cows and steers that are here, highlight their rescues and discuss the joy and peace we get with the opportunity to take care of them.

Making a connection ?

Something that we often speak about here at JP Farm, is how we would love to educate ourselves and those we meet to make the connection between all sentient beings. We all want to live. So how wonderful if we could inspire each other to live compassionately! As Oscar and Lynn say so so often, when speaking about the cows, “it is a privilege to be able to be around these beautiful beings.” “They are so calming.” So we invite you to keep in touch with us, learn more about the furry residents here but also animals in other sanctuaries and those who have not yet made it to a sanctuary. Let’s help each other make the connections.

Something that we often speak about here at JP Farm, is how we would love to educate ourselves and those we meet to make the connection between all sentient beings. So how wonderful if we could inspire each other to live compassionately!

Would you like to be a part of the sanctuary community? Sign up for our newsletter, write us, share our sanctuary with others, volunteer or make a donation.

Love all beings,
Britt

PS: read Kim’s blog from her first visit at JP Farm:
http://sanctuarytour.org/2019/07/04/placeholders-2/

Listen to our interview on her podcast series on August 28 here: http://sanctuarytour.org

W hen we first decided to rescue farmed animals we were not sure how we would manage taking care of the cows with the work schedule we have, as Oscar and I both travel for our jobs. We knew that was not going to stop us from our mission, but how do we organize and manage daily feeding and care.

We were and are so lucky to have met wonderful people who love to work around animals and realize how amazing they are.

All I can say is thank goodness for family. Without Yvonne, my mother-in-law, we would not have been able to have our dogs or our cows or any of this. She has always been there for us and the furry kids. My brother-in law Michael, amazing how much he helped us with fencing and cow care along with his daughter Chelsea who has done video photography for our website. Tom, Yvonne’s partner has been available to help us so often and is the best cow brusher! And of course Britt, my sister-in-law and her husband Rob, moved from Holland to come and help us with our sanctuary. Rob set up the JP Farm Animal Sanctuary website and now manages it, Britt has taken on so much responsibility and her care for the cows is so special!

We have the best staff! Starting in Newtown the first person to help us was our neighbor Chris. She and my mother-in-law would feed and water the cows while they solved the problems of the world! Kelly was definitely the best dressed as she would show up in cute outfits and never looked dirty, but I knew she did all her chores. The cows immediately took to Madilyn as she is calm and they connected with her right away. They bring so much joy to people and it is fun to see how everyone reacts to them. We were and are so lucky to have met wonderful people who love to work around animals and realize how amazing they are. Our current staff, Grace and Tammy always show up with such a positive attitude and help to ensure that everyone is well taken care of. They help to improve our processes, find new tools to help make things easier and take amazing pictures.

We have many friends who have helped to get the word out about our sanctuary and our mission for change in rules and regulations concerning farmed animals, picked up poo and many who have given time and professional assistance. We could not have done it without all these awesome people and feel so grateful for all of them!

We were and are so lucky to have met wonderful people who love to work around animals and realize how amazing they are.

Would you like to be a part of the sanctuary community? Sign up for our newsletter, write us, share our sanctuary with others, volunteer or make a donation.

Love cows, pigs & community,
Lynn

JP Farm Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit, tax-exempt
501(c)(3) corporation (EIN 83-1674833)

W hen the Hippy Kids first arrived, it took us awhile to get to know everyone’s personalities, their fears and what gave them joy. The little ones would stay by Cara and Belle, mostly Belle at that time as she was very sweet to all of them except Cody who was always with his Mom Cara. We would hang with them outside during the day bringing them food and hoping to interact with them more as they were apprehensive with us at first. But once they got comfortable in the barn and then with their space in the field they started to play and run. I did not know cows could run so fast! As they grew it was an amazing sight to see them so happy and feel the energy in the ground as they joyously ran around the pasture.

They responded to our touch and the attention they got.

We would bring them in for the night to feed them and keep them warm as it was one of the coldest winters Connecticut had in a long time. That is when we started to brush them. Their hair would be tangled sometimes they would have snow and ice on them, so we wanted to get the wetness off. It was then we realized we should start to check and feel their bodies for health purposes as well, like their hooves and legs. So, we would brush them each morning after they ate then at night when they came in. They responded to our touch and the attention they got. Now we brush them in their room separately because they will push each other out of the way to have their turn to be groomed.

One of the great things I noticed is how I feel when I am with them and brushing them. They become so calm and quiet. Sometimes they will continue to chew their cud or take a couple bites of hay but occasionally, you hit a spot that feels so good they freeze. They will look back at you if you stop to say, “hey keep going!!” as well. I like to do long strokes with two brushes as I am grooming them, like when you get a massage. I become relaxed and feel all the weight of the day leave my body, it is such a great sensation.

As they have gotten older you can see them wait in anticipation for their turn. Even when walking around in the barn or field if they see you, they will come over to get a rub.

Now that we are in Litchfield and Britt has joined us she has taken it a step further with the Hippy kids. Her connection to them is really strong and you can see how much they trust her. Here are some of Britt’s experiences below and check out the great pictures and video she has taken.

Thanks for the shout out Lynn! The hippy kids and I have indeed been spending a lot of time together so I have had the great privilege of experiencing many ‘brush hours’ with them. As Lynn remarked, they actually can’t wait and will position themselves with the part of their body that they want brushed in front of me (or anyone who has the brush). It is so cute to see that they love to be brushed inside their thighs and will lift their legs for you to get into the hard to reach places. They also love to get their heads rubbed and brushed, especially behind their ears and horns and under their chins. You can tell they are truly enjoying which makes it reciprocal joy!

One of the great things I noticed is how I feel when I am with them and brushing them. They become so calm and quiet. Sometimes they will continue to chew their cud or take a couple bites of hay but occasionally, you hit a spot that feels so good they freeze.

Would you like to be a part of the sanctuary?
Sign up for our newsletter, write us, share our sanctuary with others, volunteer or make a donation.

With loads of Brush Hour love,
Lynn & Britt

JP Farm Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit, tax-exempt
501(c)(3) corporation (EIN 83-1674833)