My Nonprofit Reviews

I was a volunteer at one of the locations for almost 3 years. I also was a member of the council for about a year. During my time at the Gentle Barn I saw how money hungry they are. They have discussed how they did not want $10 donors - they wanted the large dollar donors. If you look at their financials (on their website) it states that both founders take in $135k per year salary. This does not include the money that Ellie makes as an animal communicator or the $5k classes that she peddles on how to start your own sanctuary. They also receive $53k per year from the Gentle Barn because they rent the California property (they own) to GB. Once again this information is available on their tax records.
In my time at the Gentle Barn I did not see them going out and actively rescuing animals. If they did rescue an animal it had to be donation or news worthy. In fact if someone called with a rescue they have a list of other rescues they give the person to call. Recently they were involved in a rescue that involved 40 animals. They started fundraising & playing to their followers that they needed money for the animals care. When the rescue was called off, GB continued to raise money for at least another 12 hours or so asking for donations. They knew this rescue wasn't going to happen & they kept asking their donors for money.
In my time I have learned that Ellie & Jay are nothing but con artists. After I stopped being a volunteer I realized that I had been in nothing more than a cult. They make you a docent to an animal so you get attached & you feel like you can't leave GB because you'll be leaving that animal.
There are so many other farm animal rescues out there that are actually in it for the purpose of saving animals!