Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge

I have been a weekly animal-care volunteer at the Refuge for two years. What I have appreciated most about the Refuge is the interaction with the animals, who are doted upon by the staff and other volunteers. I have also appreciated learning the best practices of animal caretaking (from the best teachers) in a truly serene setting that is restorative for human and (non-human) animal alike. If you are looking to give to an organization—as a visitor, volunteer, or donor—I would recommend Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge wholeheartedly.

I have had the privilege of being involved with Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge for over 10 years, and I cannot recommend this sanctuary highly enough. Over the years, I've visited frequently, often bringing my young child along to experience the magic of connecting with the animals. Each visit is a reminder of the dedication and love the team pours into the Refuge, and it has been wonderful to witness its growth and success.

The staff and volunteers at Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge are truly exceptional. They are passionate, knowledgeable, and always so kind and patient with visitors. It's clear that they deeply care for the animals and are committed to providing a safe, loving, and peaceful environment for each one. Whether you're meeting a rescued cow, a pig, a goat, or a chicken, the animals are well-cared for, and it’s heartwarming to see how they thrive in their new home.

What stands out most to me about this refuge is their commitment to sustainable growth. Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge doesn’t rush expansion; they grow at a pace that allows them to maintain high standards of care for the animals. This thoughtful approach ensures that the sanctuary remains responsible and effective, providing the best possible lives for the animals they rescue.

It’s also important to mention that the Refuge plays a vital role in educating the community, especially children, about animal welfare and compassion. Bringing my child here has been an invaluable experience—it's a place where we can learn, grow, and create lasting memories. Watching my child develop empathy and respect for animals in such a nurturing environment has been a gift.

If you're looking for a place that not only rescues animals but also advocates for their well-being and educates the public on compassionate living, Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge is a truly special place. I’m proud to support them and look forward to continuing to visit for many years to come.

I have been volunteering at Piedmont Farm Animal Rescue for over 8 years. I've had the pleasure of watching and helping the Refuge grow. The growth process is always well-planned, and every detail is considered before projects begin.
I love how the residents are treated, well-cared for, respected and loved. PFAR is built on love. It's palpable! Everyone is so very friendly and helpful. It's a wonderful place to volunteer and build relationships with like-minded people.
Not only does PFAR rescue farm animals in need, but it is helps build the community. They offer tours, classes, movies, potlucks, community outreach.... PFAR is truly a great asset to the community.
I am proud to be a contributor and a member of the family.

I have been a dedicated volunteer at Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge since 2020. As a sanctuary open to the public, it offers an array of engaging events, including self guided tours, cooking classes, and potlucks. The Refuge provides a safe and picturesque environment for animals that would otherwise be living in factory farms. By visiting the Refuge, guests can witness 'farmed animals' thriving in a nurturing environment with ample love and care.

As an animal advocate, I have visited and volunteered at a number of sanctuaries. In just a few visits to Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge I have already seen the high level of care that is taken of the residents, felt extremely welcomed by the staff and volunteers, enjoyed attending educational events, and best of all, had the opportunity to interact with the animals during animal house cleaning day.

I first took notice of the refuge after hearing about the animal-centered design of the layout. The design of the living areas considers the animals’ history, needs, and comfort. This idea, animal-centered rather than human-centered, carries over into their educational tours. During the Tour & Explore, the guides share the background of each individual while the animals are given the agency to choose when and if to interact. And from the choices the animals make, it is quite clear that they feel safe and secure.

The refuge is making an impact through their educational outreach. On the Tour & Explore I observed as visitors connected with the animals at the same time that they learned why some of them had never seen a full length sheep’s tail before, or how factory farming affects a turkey’s feet and body size. Following an education presentation in the pavilion, people who had never met before were discussing why animals mattered over plates of vegan mac and cheese. At Piedmont, you can feel the support of other animal advocates, and the peace of the animals who have found refuge.

I have worked with The Refuge since 2015, most recently as their Program Director assessing them against the highest standards in the world for animal sanctuaries. Not only did the Refuge meet and exceed these Standards of Excellence and gain full Accreditation through the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, but they also won our Outstanding Sanctuary Award in 2023 as one of the top farmed animal sanctuaries in the WORLD. They operate with integrity, dedication to their animal residents, and incredible thoughtfulness and attention to detail. If only every nonprofit was like this one! These are easily some of the luckiest, most well cared-for animals the world over and I'm lucky to work alongside them!

I first got involved with the Refuge in 2016, doing animal house cleaning. My very first shift was during the remnants of a hurricane, and even though cleaning out animal poop in the rain sounds miserable, I loved it. I immediately recognized the Refuge as a special place.

As time went on I got more involved, doing animal care, construction, photography, serving on the board, and just about anything else you can imagine. I've learned skills, made friends, and done a LOT of digging, but the most impactful thing has been the personal connections I've developed with the residents. Seeing them transform from the scared and neglected animals they arrive as, to the confident and content individuals. Seeing the physical effect of being loved and cared for as their feathers regrow, as old wounds heal, and as they're allowed the privilege so few farmed animals get -- aging.

When I think of the Refuge, I think of Sweet Mama, with her two kids Ace and Ivy. She was old. She was arthritic. I vividly remember their interaction with a giant stuffed giraffe (just one example of the residents' daily enrichment activities). It was new and unfamiliar and big and Ace and Ivy were a little freaked out by it. Sweet Mama did what any parent would do, she put herself between that giraffe and her kids and made sure they were safe. It didn't matter that Ace and Ivy were fully grown and bigger than her. She would do anything to protect them. I still remember sitting with her at the end of her life. The sadness that she'd be leaving behind her two children, but at the same time recognizing just how amazing it was she was able to raise and care for her children, unlike the countless animals who remain in the dairy industry.

Everything about the Refuge is centered around helping us recognize who these animals are. The concept of "animal-centered design" was born here out of the recognition that if we're to treat animals as they deserve, it needs to go all the way to the very structures they live in. Instead of "barns" built for the human convenience and efficiency, the Refuge has pioneered a philosophy of design that focuses on the animals' needs and desires, in the process giving them a better life and changing the way we see them. When the environment is built around the residents, we're forced to recognize this is the life they deserve.

And while the residents are rightfully the focus of the Refuge, humans are by no means neglected. There's a reason I've stayed so involved with the Refuge over the years. It's been one of the primary sources of community in my life. The camaraderie found in volunteer work has given me lifelong friendships. It's no surprise that an organization with such focus on what's important has led to such an amazing community of friendly, accepting, and just generally kind people.

In addition to all of this, my time on the Refuge board has given me such appreciation for its sustainability. Running a sanctuary is a tremendous amount of work, and it's easy to take on too much. Countless sanctuaries have grown unsustainably -- the noble desire to save everyone can take Herculean effort to resist. Thankfully, the Refuge has grown steadily and deliberately, and I have complete confidence it will continue to do so.

Every animal I've met at the Refuge has changed my life, and every little bit I can do to help them brings meaning to my life unlike anything else.

When our family considered a move from Los Angeles to North Carolina, one of my first steps was to identify a farm animal sanctuary. Our kids have grown up understanding animal welfare, compassion, and the interconnectedness of social justice movements for all living creatures. When I reached out to the founder and director of Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, Lenore Bradford, I knew we had found our new community. The Refuge is not only our favorite non-profit in North Carolina, it is one of our favorite places ever on earth. They are organized, welcoming, honest, and inspiring. We attend as many of their functions as we can, to soak in all of the goodness they bring to the world and to the Piedmont. We greatly admire their tenacity and passion. If all movements were as deeply rooted, as well-executed, and as loving as the Refuge is, the world would be a better place. Our 12-year-old has asked if he might connect his school advisor's group of students to volunteer at the Refuge - knowing a pre-teen wants to take the time and energy to muck stalls should convey all you can imagine about the magic of the Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge!

Back in 2019 I started volunteering at Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge and fell in love. Everything about Piedmont is so beautifully thought out and the residents are so well taken care of, it makes my heart so happy to see. Every animal has a name (as they should!) and is treated with the utmost respect, it's an oasis for animals not just to live but to thrive. I only volunteered there for 6 months, but I grew a great love for the refuge and adore the email updates with news about the residence and pictures of any new additions to the family! Writing this review reminds me that I need to get back out there and take a visit :) PIEDMONT FARM ANIMAL REFUGE IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! Talia Dalton

Piedmont refuge is such a little slice of heaven. Happy animals getting to live out the life of care and love they deserve, amazing founder and volunteers, and all set on a gorgeous peaceful slice of land. I love that they advocate for animals in every way and help educate the public to how intelligent and emotional these animals are.

Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge has been a source of hope and care for every sweet soul who has come to call it home, and for all the people who go to great lengths to make it a welcoming place of learning and community growth. Thanks for all the amazing memories and stories over the years!

I have been volunteering at this refuge for a couple of years now, so I see just how important this endeavor is to the founders. The animals are very well cared for and the refuge is constantly making improvements to further support their mission.

I've been volunteering at the Refuge for over three years. Their commitment to the animals is outstanding. They have so many great events bringing in food and community. They are a non-profit, so attending events, donating, or volunteering is a great way to support their work!

My husband and I have been volunteering at the Refuge for about 8 years, starting a year or so after we became vegan. From the very first visit we were overwhelmed by the kindness, compassion, and unconditional love for every rescued resident. Our hearts were immediately won by Tony the turkey, Flower the sheep, and Sweet Mama and her babies Ace and Ivy, the original goat family at the Refuge. Literally everything about this nonprofit is done with the best interests of the animals at the top of the list, with careful financial planning, transparent fundraising, animal-centered architecture for the enclosures, education for all, including summer camps for children, but above all, love for animals that have been exploited and abused. These residents will live out the rest of their natural lives here, loved and cared for in the manner they all deserve. Tim and I cannot imagine our lives without the Refuge because it is, and always has been, a refuge for us as well.

Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge is a very special place to me and my partner. I first starting volunteering there with a friend doing an animal care shift once a week. I enjoy every week and looked forward to it. my partner then decided to start joining me in volunteering. We feel in love with mission of the refuge and the residents. We have since moved to the Pacific Northwest and are volunteering at other farm animal refuges in our area. I had the privilege to attend a Tour and Explore event in June 2023 while visiting from my now out of state home. It was wonderful to see the updates and expansions, new animal residents, new volunteers, and old friends (animals and human). I feel that Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge is a refuge for all a safe, happy place to be!

you cannot possibly visit this refuge and not feel better about the world in general! there is so much kindness here - toward the animals, toward humans, toward the environment. talk about an antidote to how the world seems to be working (or not) these days. this organization is stewarded with heart, competence, vision, inclusion, and ethical standards rarely experienced. you feel it in the buildings, on the land, with the animals, from the many volunteers - even in the air!