SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Recently, a family of cows from Quechee arrived at its new forever home at Vine Sanctuary. As the cows strolled the grounds, they noticed a rainbow-striped elevated platform in the barn. That’s the “Goat Walk,” and it was inspired by the innovative design work of another sanctuary: Piedmont Farm Animal Rescue in North Carolina.
On Sept. 17, at 5 p.m., at the Springfield Town Library, Vine is hosting a free showing of the documentary “Forever Home,” which tells the heartwarming story of Piedmont Farm Animal Rescue. In the movie, you’ll meet rescued animals and learn their stories.
What is a farm animal sanctuary? Why do people start them, and what do they do? In this award-winning documentary, you’ll meet Piedmont cofounders Lenore Bradford and Paul Drake, and learn the fascinating story of how Paul applied his knowledge as an architect to design a unique “forever home” for rescued goats, cows, pigs, and other animals.
After the film, Vine Sanctuary staff will be on hand to answer questions about our own local farm animal sanctuary. Where do the animals come from? How do you keep the roosters from fighting? How do emus get along with sheep? Vine staff will answer these and other frequently asked questions, along with any questions you may have.
Although little-known locally, Vine Sanctuary is internationally renowned for its innovative work with roosters and other farmed animals. Vine’s virtual humane education programs, which are sponsored by Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, go out to elementary school and middle school classrooms across the country. Vine also sponsors the free seed library housed at the Springfield Town Library, and organizes the annual Rainbow-Palooza festival in Springfield every June.