About Us

Contact

490 Lime Kiln Rd

Charlotte, VT 05445

802-448-2377

merrymacfarm@gmail.com

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About Us

Merrymac Farm Sanctuary (MMFS) is a GFAS-accredited farm sanctuary in Charlotte, Vermont. We provide permanent healthy homes and lifetime care for 150 rescued farm animals, including 26 equines. GFAS accreditation reflects our commitment to the highest standards of animal care, veterinary oversight, and operational transparency, and helps guide the policies and practices that shape our daily work.

MMFS serves as a regional partner in animal welfare work, collaborating with veterinarians, state game wardens, law enforcement, and regional rescues to assist with placement and care of animals surrendered, seized, or displaced. Our primary responsibility is to the animals who live here, and our intake decisions follow GFAS protocols to ensure that staffing, space, and financial resources align with consistent, lifelong care.

MMFS is a teaching farm sanctuary. We combine sanctuary work with humane education, internships, volunteer programming, and school partnerships that deepen public understanding of farm animal welfare.

MMFS was formally established by Era MacDonald as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2023 to meet a critical need for farm animal rescue in Vermont. We are donor-supported and sustained, and we are so grateful for the community who make our work possible.

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FAQs

Sanctuaries provide permanent homes for animals. Their primary goal is to provide a safe, long-term environment where animals can live out their lives in peace and dignity. Sanctuaries focus on animal welfare and aim to offer a compassionate alternative to euthanasia or continued suffering in unfavorable conditions. In addition to daily animal care, sanctuaries engage in education and advocacy to promote animal welfare and raise awareness about the plight of animals in captivity or unsafe environments.
Sanctuaries, shelters, and animal rehabilitation centers all play vital roles in addressing animal welfare. Sanctuaries provide lifetime care for animals in need, shelters aim to find homes for adoptable pets, and rehabilitation centers focus on caring for wildlife or exotic animals with the goal of eventually releasing them back into the wild.
Yes - we are Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) accredited—the gold standard for animal sanctuary certification! Read more
We are a 501c3 non-profit and rely on donations, grants, and community support. Learn more
Thanks for asking! We are only open to the public during scheduled events and by appointment. We offer tours April-December. Learn more

What is a Farm Sanctuary?

A behind-the-scenes look at the challenging work we do everyday and why we do it. Please join us in supporting the lifetime care of our rescue animals, hands-on humane education programs, and advocating to advance animal welfare in Vermont and beyond.

Meet the Team