2024 VISITING INFORMATION
Please note, our sanctuaries are very busy places and we cannot accommodate visitors who drop by without an appointment, even just to walk around.
GENERAL VISITING GUIDELINES
Please carefully read and agree to the following guidelines before scheduling your visit:
- For the safety of our staff and fellow visitors, please do not visit if you are sick
- If you have been around sick animals (or animals that you suspect may be sick) please wait for another time to visit. We cannot risk exposing our animals and have very strict contagious disease quarantine protocols here
- If you have farmed animals or equines at home, please do not wear unwashed clothing that could potentially transmit disease to our animal residents and do not wear the same footwear you use around other farmed animals/equines
- While some animals may invite attention, we ask everyone to be respectful of the animals and give them space when they want it - this is their home and they don't have to say hello if they don't want to.
- This is not a petting zoo. Well-behaved children are always welcome, but if people are not following the rules or are disturbing the animals, they may be asked to leave
- If you want to bring fresh (unspoiled) produce to donate to the animals it is greatly appreciated but will be collected and fed out by our caregivers only – no feeding of the animals is permitted
- We have a strict 5mph speed limit at our main sanctuary property to ensure our animals and visitors are safe - please respect this speed limit and drive slowly
- For safety reasons, we cannot allow people to bring companion animals to PRS. Visitors are also not allowed to leave companion animals in parked cars. Please respect this rule and leave your furry friends home when visiting
- Out of respect for the animals, any food brought to the property must be vegan
- Smoking and any weapons are prohibited on sanctuary property
- All visitors will be required to check-in and sign a liability waiver
- Please carefully follow all written and posted safety guidelines for each barn/habitat
Please note, if deemed necessary at the time of event, additional safety precautions may be put in place (like masking indoors) and/or certain areas of the sanctuaries may be off limits (for example, bird habitats depending on avian influenza risk) to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your cooperation!
2024 EVENTS - SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT
Peace Ridge Sanctuary - 1111 Littlefield Rd., Brooks, ME
Please note, there is a suggested $25 donation for visitors. If you are unable to donate this amount, please give what you can, as visiting days are important for raising funds to take care of the 600+ rescued animals at our shelters. Thank you for helping us take care of the animals!
In 2024, we are offering two different options for visits at our flagship shelter in Brooks. There is a special Guided Tour from 1:30pm - 3:30pm, walking (driving is permitted if needed) between each of our main animal barns to meet the residents and hear their stories. Guided tours offer a wealth of information for visitors and are appropriate for guests of any age, though we will touch on the reasons why our animals needed to be rescued. Tours are a great opportunity to ask questions and learn a lot about what we do.
Self-Guided Visits are also available for guests who want a little more flexibility to go at their own pace anytime within the 1:00pm - 4:00pm visiting window and are often preferred by families with young children who may not have the attention span to go on a longer tour.
Space is limited, so advanced reservations are suggested, but not required. Regardless of the type of visit or reservations, please make sure to check in at the welcome table when you arrive, as you will be required to sign in and be given safety and other visiting instructions.
Guided Tours: 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Self-Guided Visits: 1:00 - 4:00pm (you may visit anytime in this window)
Brooks, ME - Open House - Sunday, June 16, 2024
Guided Tour Reservations: click here to save your space!
Self-Guided Visit Reservations: click here to save your space!
Brooks, ME - Happy Cows - Sunday, July 14, 2024: 1pm - 4pm - a special ticketed event featuring family-friendly activities and vegan ice cream sundaes!
Happy Cows Celebration Tickets: click here to save your space!
Brooks, ME - Open House - Sunday, August 11, 2024
Guided Tour Reservations: click here to save your space!
Self-Guided Visit Reservations: click here to save your space!
Brooks, ME - Open House - Sunday, September 15, 2024
Guided Tour Reservations: click here to save your space!
Self-Guided Visit Reservations: click here to save your space!
Brooks, ME - Open House - Sunday, October 13, 2024
Guided Tour Reservations: click here to save your space!
Self-Guided Visit Reservations: click here to save your space!
Northeast Equine Sanctuary - 222 Barnes Road, Albion, ME
Please note, there is a suggested $25 donation for visitors. If you are unable to donate this amount, please give what you can, as visiting days are important for raising funds to take care of the 600+ rescued animals at our shelters. Thank you for helping us take care of the animals!
Come see our beautiful horse shelter! Visits to Northeast Equine Sanctuary are Open House style with the ability to walk around, meet some of the animals, and talk with caretakers to hear their stories. Please note, that while the sanctuary is on Irving Lane in Freedom, Maine, the main driveway entrance is off of Barnes Road in Albion, which is the best address to use for GPS.
Please make sure to check in at the welcome table when you arrive, as you will be required to sign in and be given safety and other visiting instructions.
Albion, ME - Open House - Saturday, June 15, 2024: 1pm - 3pm
Open House Reservations: click here to save your space!
Albion, ME - Open House - Saturday, July 13 2024: 1pm - 3pm
*** 7/13/24 CANCELLED - PLEASE VISIT ANOTHER DAY ***
Albion, ME - Open House - Saturday, August 10, 2024: 1pm - 3pm
Open House Reservations: click here to save your space!
Albion, ME - Open House - Saturday, September 14 2024: 1pm - 3pm
Open House Reservations: click here to save your space!
Albion, ME - 5k Benefit Rave - Saturday, October 12, 2024 - Our 3rd Annual 5k Run for the Animals & 1 Mile Fun Walk! click here to save your space!
Little River Farm - 67 Perkins Road, Belfast, ME
Little River Farm is currently closed to visitors, but please stay tuned for more information - we're planning an benefit Art Auction, tentatively scheduled for August 17, 2024 and are hoping to add other visiting days as well!
SCHEDULING A PRIVATE TOUR
Donors giving a minimum of $250 (in the current calendar year) may schedule a private tour between the months of June and November. All private tours are limited to no more than 6 guests (unless other accommodations are made) and must be booked by email (melissa@peaceridgesanctuary.org) at least two weeks in advance. While we will do our best to accommodate your preferred time/date, please know we will not be able to make all dates/times work given our busy schedules here but will work with you to try to find a time that works. Private tours are typically scheduled in the afternoon and run about 1.5 hours, though you can spend more time visiting after if you would like. If you would like to bring a vegan picnic to enjoy after your tour you are welcome to do so.
EDUCATIONAL TOURS FOR SCHOOL & YOUTH GROUPS
Please reach out if you would like to schedule a tour for a school or youth group by email giving as much notice as you can. While we will do our best to accommodate your preferred time/date, please know we will not be able to make all dates/times work given our busy schedules here but will work with you to try to find a time that works. Private tours are typically scheduled in the afternoon and run about 1.5 hours. If you would like to make arrangements to have a picnic at the sanctuary before or after your tour, please let us know in advance. Out of respect for our animals and our mission, any food brought to the sanctuary must be vegan. If you have any questions on this policy, let us know.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding and for helping to ensure that our visiting season is enjoyable and safe for everyone! If you have any questions, please email: melissa@peaceridgesanctuary.org