Peaceful Fields Sanctuary

Vegan Farm Sanctuary in Virginia

About Us

THE PEACEFUL FIELDS MISSION

Our mission is to honor all of creation through providing a safe & forever home for farmed animals in need, so they can live free from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. A core aspect of this mission is to highlight the cruelty of animal agriculture through showcasing the personality and lives of our residents and engage in vegan outreach to prevent further harm.

As an incorporated 501c3 non-profit we are run by a small team of dedicated staff & volunteers and supported by generous donors & advocates like you. Located just outside of Winchester, VA, nestled in among the Blue Ridge Mountains, PFS is home to many turkeys, chickens, ducks, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and equines rescued from abuse, neglect, and the cruelty of animal agriculture.

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Tikkun olam (תיקון עולם) “Repair of the world”

Few Jewish concepts are as well known in the world community as tikkun olam, translated as “repair of the world.” This Jewish “social policy” or mandate, encourages acts of “repair” and emphasizes a human responsibility for fixing what is wrong in the world. These acts could include charitable giving or going vegan, as well as many other ways for us to do tikkun olam in our daily lives.

At PFS, this is a powerful tenant that informs our mission and our every day actions. Our collective, human responsibility to change, improve, and fix what is wrong with our world, society, and community is powerful – and means that each individual has an essential role in building a better future. We are reminded of the wrongs done to farmed animals in animal agriculture every single day and we know it is our responsibility to fix it. In our peaceful fields, we are doing just that!

Tza‘ar ba‘alei chayim (צער בעלי חיים‎) “Prohibition against the cruelty & suffering of living creatures”

There are certain mitzvahs or “commandments” within Judaism, and one of them is tza’ar ba’alei chayim, translated as a “prohibition against the cruelty and suffering of living creatures.” This prohibition against tza’ar ba’alei chayim not only prevents unnecessary cruelty to animals, but also imposes certain positive obligations on those entrusted with caring for animals.

At PFS, we must feed, water, and otherwise care for our residents’ basic needs and we are required to take extra precautions to alleviate the suffering of these animals and provide enrichment. This specific mitzvah mirrors our vegan principles of prevention of animal cruelty, suffering, and exploitation quite well. We believe that it is our responsibility as humans to treat all other beings on this earth, especially those more vulnerable than us, like farmed animals, with care and respect. In sum, we strive to honor all of creation.

While these, and many other guiding principles form the building blocks of our mission & reflects the faith of our founder here at Peaceful Fields, ALL are welcome!

Visit

Visiting the Sanctuary

Due to our small staff size and out of respect for the animals (who can become over stressed as a result of previous abuse and trauma), the Sanctuary is not open daily to the public.

We usually hold a tour/open house at least once a month. Visitors age 6 and above are welcome to visit the Sanctuary. All minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please sign up for one of our upcoming Volunteer Orientations (typically the first Sunday of each month.) Volunteers must be age 13 and above. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of their visit.

Group Tours

School and community groups for those aged 6 and above are welcome to schedule a visit with the rescued animals. Tours will be tailored for the specific age groups and last approximately one hour. Minors must have a parent or guardian on the premises for the duration of their visit. Please make reservations well in advance.

Tours for Individuals or Families

Individuals or small family groups are welcome to tour the Sanctuary during our designated public events. Please visit our Private Events page if you are interested in scheduling a private tour or private event at the Sanctuary. Due to our small staff and out of respect for the animals who can become over stressed due to previous abuse and trauma, the Sanctuary is not open daily to the public.

Visiting Your Sponsored Animals

Individuals who are sponsors of an individual or several animals are welcome to schedule a visit with their animal(s)! Please call or email us to schedule your reservation well in advance. Minors must have a parent or guardian on the premises for the duration of their visit.

What To Expect

Peaceful Fields Sanctuary is home to over 70 animals, including chickens, turkeys, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys, cattle, and many other animals, including free ranging wildlife. During the tour we will walk around to the different barns and yards, meet many of the animals, and hear the stories of where they came from. Every animal has a name, a story, and their own unique personality and preferences. Just like us humans, many are very friendly and sociable, but some prefer to keep their distance.

We will teach you how to read the farmed animal’s communication signals so you will be able to interact with the animals who are friendly. During the tour you will be able to pet many of the residents, give them belly rubs, and take pictures. Visitors are welcome to bring fresh vegetables as snacks the animals, and we will direct you as to which vegetables are safe to eat for what species.

Tours last approximately one hour, but may be longer depending on the size of the group. Please note there is only one bathroom available. A hand washing station is available that visitors are welcome to use after the tour.

We have a small gift shop you are welcome to browse before or after the tour, with t-shirts, stickers, and other items that we sell to benefit the rescued animals. We accept cash, check, and credit cards for gift shop purchases and donations.

What to Bring and What to Wear

Peaceful Fields is a 13-acre sanctuary with no paved roads or sidewalks. Our main chicken yard is wheelchair accessible on the grass and gravel. The rest of the Sanctuary, particularly access to the Pygmy Goat and Big Goat yards, has some hills and sharp lips that will need to be navigated.

We recommend wearing clothing and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty as the paths, barns, and animals, can sometimes be muddy or dusty depending on the weather. Closed toed shoes are mandatory; sandals and flip flops are not permitted. Many visitors have kept a pair of clean shoes in their car to change into at the end. We may be walking through tall grass to see some of the animals that may have wandered from the main areas, so we recommend rain or mud boots, particularly if it has recently rained.

Our tours run rain or shine! If it is actively raining, we recommend wearing raincoats as it will be easier to navigate through the property and some of the animals may be afraid of umbrellas. The tour is held entirely outdoors. You should dress appropriately for the weather, and wear shoes suitable for walking through grass. If it is a hot day, you may want to wear sunscreen and bring water with you on the tour.

Cameras are welcome, and there will be many wonderful photo opportunities on your tour. Make sure to tag us when you share your pictures!

To Our Supporters

We want to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your kindness, hard work, and passion that drives and supports us to do what we do. We received generous donations, animal sponsorships, wish list gifts, and hands-on support here at the sanctuary. As we continue on into 2018, we hope that you continue with us and support us as we grow and evolve, rescuing more and more animals with each year!

Thank you for your ongoing support!