My Nonprofit Reviews

I volunteered at the gentle barn, MO for a little over a year. While everyone physically in MO, who took care of the animals on a daily basis were great and loved the animals the foundation as a whole was very disappointing.

When we could isolate ourselves from the founders, the work done here in MO was amazing. However getting them to provide the necessary care for the animals could be difficult - they had to 'communicate' with animals before hand about what treatments they would receive/see if they needed it while still being in CA. They made suggestions about treatments for animals that went against veterinary advice. They would make hostile comments towards staff when they questioned decisions and fostered a toxic work environment. When people disagree and speak out against things that are happening, they ban people from visiting. Volunteers and staff are expected to form relationships with the animals they take care of, and then this is used against people as threats - you won't be allowed to see the animals again and won't be allowed at gentle barn properties when you disagree. Looking through previous reviews it appears that every time a group of people start to see through their lies they follow this pattern of banning individuals.

As they recently shut down the location in MO, they provided no notice to volunteers and staff, with the majority finding out about the shutdown at the same time as social media posts and fundraising texts were sent. They said this was due to finances - but ~$4 million dollars were raised last year. Additionally, money was raised through small fundraisings locally - such as a fundraisings from a vegan restaurant in the area, and giving tuesday funds which while small shows that if anyone was told of the dire needs for more fundraising we could have organized to try to keep the animals in a local place. Instead - nothing was spoken of it. Animals were moved and animals suffered from the move. For example, Penny the pig, died shortly after arriving at the Tennessee location. However they do not post anything about her passing on social media - and they quietly moved her to the memorandum page on their site. They also speak of how they are all about compassion and kindness - yet no compassion or kindness was shown to anyone in the way the closing of the location was handled. If anything they showed the exact opposite trying to put blame on individuals in MO for why it would close. Additionally the way they handled some of the animals for the move - such as tying a rope around Chance the donkey's front leg in order to get him to step into the trailer - goes against what they say they stand for. The founders responses to concerns about the stress on the animals was that she had communicated with the animals and they were excited for their new journey!

I do not recommend this sanctuary - and recommend supporting other animal sanctuaries instead.