Rooterville | Sanctuary

Vegan Farm Sanctuary in Florida

Welcome to Rooterville Animal Sanctuary!

Rooterville Animal Sanctuary, located in Melrose, FL, provides a safe and compassionate refuge for rescued farm animals. These precious farm animals are sentient beings that deserve to be loved and cared for. We provide our rescues with a healthy diet and a comfortable, loving home. Our residents, which we kindly refer to as ambassadors, are the lucky ones who have come here from all sorts of situations but primarily as the result of abuse, abandonment, and neglect. They include pot-bellied pigs, farm pigs, cows, goats, turkeys, and a few dogs and cats. (Ginger and Gracie the Chiweenie sisters are the BOSSES of Rooterville and steal the show from the pigs!).

If we had one wish, it would be that we could save them all!

Sadly, we have to turn many animals away because like most farm animal sanctuaries, we are full. We wish we could create more happy endings and that is where you come in! We’d love for you to learn more about us, come out for a visit to our sanctuary, and see what we do and get involved by donating, volunteering, helping with outreach and events.

You also have the opportunity of growing into a position on the board of directors. We have something for everyone; we just need more good folks like you that are willing to help us encourage compassion and inspire change! One person may not be able to do much (unless you’re rich or famous!) but together, we can accomplish big things! Email or call today to see how you can help Rooterville do more to make this world a kinder place!

Stop By and See Us

Schedule a tour to meet our awesome ambassadors and learn the incredible stores of their lives before Rooterville. Enjoy a truly hands-on experience on our 30-acres of park-like natural splendor complete with butterfly gardens. You will get to interact with, touch, and visit our animals in their own habitats and enjoy priceless photo opportunities with special animals along the way.

Visitors are welcome to come and spend time with the animals and explore the sanctuary on weekends between the hours of 10 AM till 3 PM. Tours can be reserved by appointment. Visitors are welcome to join a tour if one is happening while you’re here! Suggested donation to visit is only $10 per person, $30 for a family of 4. We appreciate your generosity as all proceeds help us care for the animals and keep our gates open for awesome folks like you.

If you cannot afford a donation, we still want you to come and meet the animals and learn about the impact of making kinder choices in your daily life! Visit us soon.

Healing and Caring for Rescued Animals:

Rooterville was inspired by farm animals in need, like Stella, and founded on a singular principle: Compassion. We believe true happiness, a better world, and recognition of our religious ideals require compassion and mercy for animals, our fellow people, the world we need to live in, and, most importantly, ourselves!

Our majestic Rooterville Sanctuary is home to over 300 rescued farm animals, each of whom came from harrowing backgrounds and narrowly escaped the lives of torment then slaughter that are so common to many farm animals today. Their stories are stories of abuse, neglect, abandonment, cruelty…and then, a second chance.

Mission:

Rooterville Sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing abused, neglected, and desperate farm animals all over the United States. Some we are able to bring to our growing sanctuary. Some we are able to save through helping spread the word about what each of us can do to help.

Vision:

Our vision is a world free of cruelty, where compassion and kindness form the foundation of how each of us treats one another.

Educating Visitors:

After rescuing so many unwanted animals and experiencing the deplorable conditions found in “factory farms,” we at Rooterville have adopted a way of life that encourages people to live a compassionate lifestyle by choosing a healthy, plant-based diet.

Our History:

Rooterville was founded by Elaine West in 2004 to care for the many unwanted, abandoned and abused pot-bellied pigs in need of a safe and loving home. Unfortunately, most animal control agencies or Humane Societies will not take in unwanted pet pigs, so many of these former pets end up meeting a gruesome fate simply because no one is there to help.

Since our humble beginnings, Rooterville A Sanctuary has grown from 5 to over 30 acres and provides rescue, care, and a permanent home for hundreds of rescued farm animals of all types.

Our Future Plans:

Because there are so many animals that need help, we are quickly outgrowing our 30 acre sanctuary. To expand our capabilities and caring, we are currently looking for additional acreage in the Orlando, Florida area. Our expansion plans call for a new location capable of housing a minimum of a 100 acre sanctuary, an educational building, a plant-based restaurant, and bed and breakfast. If you, your company, or foundation are in a position to help with this important expansion, please contact Elaine West at: 386.661.2287.