Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary

​Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary (CCFS,) is located on the coast of Maine, on a beautiful 50-acre heritage farm. Our mission is to provide compassion, respect, dignity and love to rescued farm and companion animals who have suffered severe neglect and abuse and give them a place to call home. CCFS is a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization, committed to the healing, rehabilitation, and security of every animal in our care. Guided farm tours provide a platform for education where lecture series and hands-on learning events are taught in an effort to encourage mindful-living for the good of the animals and the planet. Cottontail advocates for veganism and demonstrates compassion for all creatures in the hopes that more lives may be saved by inspiring others to adapt a similar, cruelty-free lifestyle. It is our deepest hope that by sharing our animal stories, in person or through social media, people will make the connection that farm animals are feeling, emotional and sensitive beings capable of strong emotions such as love, happiness, fear and grief. CCFS strives to educate the public about not only the importance of animal care and welfare, but of living a vegan lifestyle in an effort to end animal cruelty and suffering. Currently, there are over twelve different species of animals in our care, including, horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, bunnies and an array of waterfowls and birds and a total of 100-animals. The forest farm is surrounded by a big, perimeter fence, permaculture hedgerows and a trail-system, where visitors can walk and observe the animals in their natural setting. While being diligent about our eco-system, the hedgerows are created from wattles, branches, twigs and natural elements gathered while clearing for new pasture land. This thoughtful method not only eliminates noxious elements in the air from frequent burn piles, but allows the fallen wood to be reused and woven by creating a natural fencing system. At the same time, it provides a nesting place for native birds, and habitats for wild rabbits and other small creatures. As the “dead hedge” breaks down, enriching the soil - live, non-toxic, indigenous plantings like briar, willow and honeysuckle are introduced, creating a "living hedge" as popularly seen throughout the British countryside. This unique farm sanctuary approach to land management adopts arrangements observed in flourishing natural ecosystems. It includes a set of design principles derived using whole systems thinking. As conscientious land stewards, principles are implemented such as regenerative agriculture, rewilding, and community resilience and, of equal value, animal waste management. Rather than have unsightly manure piles that are offensive smelling and attracts flies which can carry disease to the animals, we carefully cart and spread the refuse around the root systems of trees and specific eroding soil areas throughout the 50-acres. In this full-circle approach, the animal eats the hay; excretes the hay seed; where it is cultivated back into the earth; where it then sprouts. In time, new forage grasses will grow. Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary (CCFS) addresses the need to care and protect neglected, exploited and abused farm and companion animals. Animals change lives. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls, they give us hope. It is only right that we do everything we can to protect them. CCFS assists with owner-surrenders as well as partnering with the animal welfare program for temporary housing and permanent placement for animals coming from extreme cases of abuse and neglect. CCFS also assists authorities in state cruelty cases. Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary advocates for animal rights and works to advance veganism in alliance with protecting the land all beings walk upon. CCFS believes in the right of animals to exist without fear of abuse, exploitation or extermination. Please help us with our critically-important work and make sure all of our animal friends are allowed to live long, happy lives. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary. CCFS is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) entity and receives no federal, state or local funding. The organization is entirely funded by donations, bequests, grants, and fundraising activities. Thank you for your fierce love for the animals and helping us give them a second chance!