
Photo by volunteer Derek Bowers
Caring for animals and the earth is not only a privilege it is our responsibility. It is responsibility we take seriously, but at the same time we feel learning about the animals is fun and rewarding. Be sure to visit often to follow our farmhouse adventures, keep up to date on what’s new at the farmhouse, learn fun facts and how to care for farm, exotic and wild animals and nature through our farmhouse blog. Thank you for stopping by the Farmhouse blog page. Ya’ll come back now ya hear!

Meet Grace Elston, founder of Beyond the Pack, a 501c3 animal rescue in Ft Meyers, Florida. Beyond the Pack was formed in 2019 but Grace has been involved with rescue for a very long time. She started her rescue journey 20 years ago as a transport coordinator, rescuer and foster. Today, she is still involved with animal transport when time allows. Although Grace tells us that her sanctuary is small, she still spends 70+ hours
Read more →
Meet Chris Gelsleichter and Colleen Pearce of C&C Rescue Foundation. Chris and Colleen started hosting their annual C&C Rescue Rally fundraiser 11 years ago at Entersection Bar in Sarasota. As animal lovers, they started the event to help raise funds for and draw attention to local nonprofit rescues. Each year they choose a few animal rescues to benefit from the rally and split the funds between them. The event has grown so much over the
Read more →

Did you know that FANS has the support of local businesses through our community sponsors program? These local business owners, who pride themselves on giving back to the community, help make it possible for us to care for the animals through their in-kind and monetary donations. We thought it would be fun to get to know them a little better. From time to time, we will share a new community sponsor’s profile. Meet Kathy &
Read more →

Did you know that FANS has the support of local businesses through our community sponsors program? These local business owners, who pride themselves on giving back to the community, help make it possible for us to care for the animals through their in-kind and monetary donations. We thought it would be fun to get to know them a little better. From time to time, we will share a new community sponsor’s profile. Meet Megan and
Read more →

Meet Our Community Sponsors: Did you know that FANS has the support of local businesses through our community sponsors program? These local business owners, who pride themselves on giving back to the community, help make it possible for us to care for the animals through their in-kind and monetary donations. We thought it would be fun to get to know them a little better. From time to time, we will share a new community sponsor’s
Read more →

Did you know that FANS has the support of local businesses through our community sponsors program? These local business owners, who pride themselves on giving back to the community, help make it possible for us to care for the animals through their in-kind and monetary donations. We thought it would be fun to get to know them a little better. From time to time, we will share a new community sponsor’s profile. Meet Elissa Bentsen,
Read more →
In the Beginning Back in the early 60’s a senator, Gaylord Nelson, became concerned that there wasn’t enough being done about environment issues. Inspired by Vietnam protestors, Senator Nelson decided to do something about it. Earth Day became official when he organized a nationwide demonstration on April 22, 1970 to promote awareness. About 20 million Americans participated in that very first Earth Day. The demonstration helped bring about the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Read more →

Andrea came to us when she was looking for an animal organization to volunteer at after her career changed from working with animals to working at home behind a desk due to COVID. She stumbled upon FANS through an internet search. Andrea is part of our morning feed and clean crew, where she comes to the farm once a week and takes care of feeding the animals and cleaning up their feed areas and habitats.
Read more →

by Sandra Krug Carrie Burns has been a resident of Manatee County for most of her life. She became involved with Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary (FANS) because her parents, Dave and Lisa Burns, run the rescue. Carrie always had a love and a soft spot for animals. She knew right away; she had to be around them. Carrie serves on the Board of Directors for FANS. Since moving to Lakeland Carrie switched from being
Read more →

Volunteers play a strategically important role in animal rescue. It also gives you the chance to contribute every day to the kind of community and world in which you want to live. Cara was in a local community Facebook page and saw that they were looking for items to auction for a fundraising event. Being a groomer and loving animals, she chose to offer a gift certificate for her services. After speaking in length with
Read more →