As a journalist, I seek out powerful narratives that allow us to reflect on our place in the world, and stories that offer us lessons on how to be better. When we visited Forest Animal Rescue, we'd never seen such a wide variety of creatures, each living through their own challenging, gut-wrenching experiences of trials gone by. But the passion and dedication put forth by Lisa and Kurt, providing these amazing animals with comfort and peace, has made this rescue the very definition of the word "sanctuary." You may search the world, far and wide, but you will not find more ethically sound, caring individuals to place your trust in and throw your support behind. Truly, what they're doing in Florida for animals everywhere deserves recognition and praise of the highest order -- but they're not ones for taking credit. So please, help them rise, as the animals will be the ones to benefit. You can count on Lisa and Kurt to stretch those dollars on their behalf in the most miraculous of ways.Surane WeerasingheFilmmaker, 1999 Productions.Master of Science, The Columbia School of Journalism
I have volunteered with this sanctuary for over 5 years and the animals are always thought of first. Their care is what is most important and their well being. Everyone here is always thinking of new ways to enrich their lives. This is a true sanctuary and something I am proud to be a part of.
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I am a volunteer at Forest Animal Rescue and this is a great sanctuary, the animals always come first and live their lives the best they can in captivity. They are fed very healthy diets and monitored for any health issues. They live here for the rest of their lives.
This is what a TRUE sanctuary should be and is ! I've had the opportunity to visit Forest Animal Rescue numerous times and with each trip I learn more and more about these amazing animals. I'm able to observe these beautiful creatures without them feeling threatened by humans invading their safe space. Lisa is a wealth of knowledge so grab the family, plan a visit and see for yourself...and ask questions. I'll be visiting again soon !
My 2 sons and I had such and amazing experience here. Our favorite part as a family was being able to see these animals in a more natural setting for them, and not a zoo. We loved hearing the back stories of each animal, and our visit there went a long way in teaching my boys the importance of being responsible when it comes to having an animal.
Wonderful peopl dedicated to the best lives and care for the animals.
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As the Animal care coordinator, intern supervisor and education coordinator, I LOVE working here! I have worked with many different non profits, animal rescues and sanctuaries in the past, but FAR goes above and beyond for their animals! Quality food, care, and enrichment for the animals, while they get to spend their peaceful and private days roaming their large wooded and natural enclosures and acreages.
Forest Animal Rescue is the best place for needy animals to come to retire. They will not be bothered as if they were in a zoo or on exhibit. They deserve a quiet peaceful place to live out the remainder of their lives especially after all that they have endured before coming to Forest Animal Rescue. I know that the personnel running this rescue would love to go out of business, but as long as there are animals in need they will try to do all they can to help.
I was able to see the sanctuary in January. I am always amazed how well run it is. Such a beautiful place where the animals can spend the rest of their lives just being animals. Many of them were abused or neglected before they arrived. It is wonderful this place exists.
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I was able to visit again in January, 2017. It amazes me how this place changes each time I visit.
They are always making things better for their animals. The goal is to have happy thriving animals, and Kurt and Lisa know what it takes.
Forest Animal Rescue is a beacon of light and a true model of how our Nation should interact with wildlife. Their love, dedication, and respect to the animals that are in their permanent care, in inspirational. The manner in which they work to rehabilitate and care Black Bears, intended for release, is to the standard that other facilitates should be taught. I had the pleasure of volunteering, as an inter from Ohio, at the facility and miss it regularly. I currently teach and regularly utilize my experience there and their Facebook and webpage in my classroom. I cannot praise them enough for what they do!
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Forest Aninal Reacue / Peace River Refuge & Ranch will always hold a special place in my heart. I first visited them on an Alternative Spring Break trip in 2009, then went to work for them that summer. I loved them so much that I chose to take more college students on another Alternative Spring in 2010.
I've worked at Zoos in Ohio and can honestly say that PRRR/FAR puts the animals' needs first. They are not in the business of exploiting animals for profit. They only want to supply a safe healthy environment where the animals can live out the rest of their lives without distress. Their love and dedication to their work is unlike anything I've ever seen.
I recently visited them last summer (2015) and they are still doing amazing things with their rescued animals but have also been rehabilitating and releasing local black bears.
If you are ever able, visit them. However, more importantly support them anyway you can!
This truly is a sanctuary for animals, large and small, that have led previous lives of unpleasant captivity. They do a great job!
Keep up the great work you are doing with all those beautiful animals! They all are so very happy and well cared for.
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Never seen a more organized place, Lisa and Kirk know how to keep everything moving forward and taking great care of all the animals. Good job!!
Co-founder and VP Lisa Stoner has been an advocate for animals since she was a kid. This refuge is truly focused on the best-interest of the animals; it is not a zoo or a money-making operation. We don't usually think of big animals like tigers and bears as helpless, but once people have control of them, they become helpless in that they are unable to feed, protect, or advocate for themselves - they are at the mercy of people who may not be able to care for them properly. Forest Animal Rescue saves animals that would otherwise be destroyed. Often these animals have endured years of poor conditions before arriving at the sanctuary. The refuge is serious about the responsibilities they assume when accepting a rescue animal. Once Lisa has them, the rescued animals have excellent care in a spacious habitat for the rest of their lives.
An incredibly worthwhile animal rescue and rehab sanctuary run by the most dedicated people. Giving animals that man has screwed up another chance in life. These guys are the best!
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Absolutely awsome sanctuary with incredibly knowledgable and passionately dedicated owners. They make a difference and we are proud to support them.
Thank you very much for the work that Forest Animal Rescue does. A place without sound or visual pollution. A nice forest!
Thank you very much for the help for Argentina.
We are VIDA ANIMAL: https://www.facebook.com/vidaanimalarg/
You can wacht some videos from our visit here:
https://twitter.com/vidaanimal_ONG/status/959206711545552897
https://twitter.com/vidaanimal_ONG/status/959207651581267968
https://twitter.com/vidaanimal_ONG/status/959210536905969664
https://twitter.com/vidaanimal_ONG/status/959212688164446210
I had the opportunity to bring a group of Ohio State students to Forest Animal Rescue by Peace River Refuge and Ranch to help build some of the new animal habitats. The commitment that Lisa and Kurt have to care for these animals is unmatched. They are always doing what is best and looking out not only for the animals in their care, but the larger community that cares for rescued and abandoned animals. In an ideal world there would not be a need for the service the refuge provides, but while the need exists, I am forever thankful that Lisa and Kurt have found the passion to serve.
I am a student at CMU and came to the sanctuary to volunteer my time to help the animals that live here. It was an amazing experience and the people here are amazing too. They gave up their lives to help save these animals and to give them a better life. They want to save as many animals as they can and they are truly doing God’s work here at the Forest Animal Rescue.
