If I were a farm animal, especially an injured, disabled, or unwanted one, I would want to live out my life at Charlie's Acres. The staff there are so caring and compassionate and really live to serve their animal residents. The grounds ae spacious and beautiful and the staff always are looking for ways to not only protect the animals, but to enrich their lives.
The programs at Charlie's Acres have been expanding steadily--adding barn crawls, summer camps, and the adoption of animals by school classes that can meet either in person or virtually with the animal they have adopted. These innovations help promote the ethical treatment of animals and open minds to the possibilities of a vegan lifestyle. Charlie's Acres is a great place to visit too, as it is located in the Sonoma wine country, near to many attractions of Northern California. The tours are interesting and provide for a lot of hands on contact with the animals.
Although I live in the Midwest and can visit Charlie's Acres only occasionally, I am happy to support its mission as a donor.
The care the staff provides for the animals is phenomenal. The program set up as virtual classroom visits helps teach children how to be compassionate and shows the animals' perspective, which we as humans may not be aware of. When people learn to be kind and treat animals with respect, the earth will become a much better place for all creatures to live. This sanctuary cares deeply about changing the world for the better.
Volunteering at Charlie’s Acres is an incredible experience. The animals are so well cared for, and have so much space to enjoy with their buddies. The staff are amazing. Working that hard, but still making time to repeatedly thank us for our time and effort.
I have particularly enjoyed getting to know individuals within the pot-bellied pig groups. They all have so much character!
Where do you begin when talking about Charlie's Acres? It is situated in the beautiful Sonoma Valley on a property which is maintained with pride (it's as beautiful as the surroundings). The passion which is instilled into this sanctuary from its founder to the volunteers is felt as soon as you take your first step on the sanctuary. For me the magic of what Charlie's Acres does, is it allows you to understand the unique stories of each animal, to engage with and learn the personalities of each animal and to allow compassion to change the mindset of how you view animals as a being and not for farming and the consumption of. The animals, their stories and their personalities shine through so strongly, they can convert the avid meat eater to a future of plant based foods. That's grassroots power right there!
In addition, the work CA’s does to educate on sustainability, climate impact caused by animal farming is strong.
Lastly, I don’t think I have ever been to a sanctuary where the animals are treated as well as at Charlie's Acres. They are like family to their caretakers!
Charlie's Acres changed me for the better and I know it will also change the lives of others.
I volunteered at Charlie’s Acres for a couple of years. It’s a wonderful organization run by people who work their hearts out for the love of animals. The staff create such a warm and welcoming community, and the animals are so well cared for. If you’re ever near Sonoma, you should swing by for a tour! You’ll learn a lot about farmed animals, and you’ll get to feed and pet many of them. You can even have your kid’s birthday party there. It’s such a lovely place!
I’ve been visiting Charlie’s Acres for years and will continue to do so. The staff is super kind, the facilities are gorgeous, and the animals are truly living their best lives. I’ve volunteered a couple times as well which is also very rewarding. Seymour the rooster is one of my favorite residents. Giving pigs belly rubs is probably the highlight every time!
Charlie's Acres is THE MOST amazing Farm Animal Sanctuary and Education Center in the San Francisco Bay Area and Napa Valley!
They go ABOVE AND BEYOND for the medical care and health of ALL of their residents and I have had the honor and pleasure of helping with some of their Goat Veterinary Care providing Orthotics for Esperanza a goat born without back hooves- so that she could comfortably stand, walk, run and play again!
Their animal care team is so knowledgeable and so attentive to both the physical and emotional needs of each and every resident- as a veterinarian- I can honestly say I have never seen happier or healthier farm animals EVER!
I have been involved with the animal well-being field since the early 1990s, professionally, as a volunteer and as a lifestyle, and let me tell you - few places are doing it as well as Charlie's Acres. While the care and well-being of their residents and their mission of compassion is at the core of everything they do, it is never at the risk of alienating people. On the public-facing side, they understand that everyone who comes to visit is at different levels on their own personal journeys and they meet those people where they are. From their tours, barn crawls, virtual classroom visits to their community gardens and partnership with Sonoma food insecurity organizations, they share the stories of the animals and compassionate vegan, cruelty-free alternatives without shaming people. They offer alternatives and reasons why without guilt.
On the internal side, their volunteer program is a dream! They welcome volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and work with your abilities and schedule to find ways to help. I have always felt valued as a volunteer. During the shelter in place part of the pandemic, volunteering with their virtual classrooms gave me purpose and meaning at a time when I was very scared and insecure. It gave me hope and joy and I know it did for the students as well. Now that we can volunteer in-person again, I make a 4 hour round trip drive just to be with this amazing group of people and animals. It is worth it every single time.
Charlie's Acres truly is changing minds and saving lives!
Charlie's Acres is the most magical place for rescued farm animals! I brought my Oakland Unified, middle school students last Spring for a tour. We were learning about various animal rescues and how our food choices affect our health and the lives of these animals. The students were engaged and even wanted to try some vegan food options offered at the end of our tour. It was truly inspiring for many of my students! I highly recommend supporting and/or visiting this beautiful, peaceful, educational sanctuary.
With joy,
Chynna Wilson
For a truly immersive experience, nothing beats a tour of Charlie’s Acres in Sonoma, CA, where you can interact with sheep, goats, pigs, horses, chickens, turkeys, ducks and cows. All of them were rescued from situations of neglect and abuse, but here they enjoy the remaining years of their lives in peace and comfort with a team of incredible animal care staff. They also provide popular online and onsite classes for children. It’s heartwarming to know the kids will appreciate and take care of animals with respect when they become adults. Volunteers happily work morning and afternoon every day to provide the best life for these treasures of nature, and there’s a definite aura of joy all around. A special place indeed.