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! Merrymac Farm Sanctuary has applied for accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS)—the gold standard for animal sanctuary certification. With only 215 GFAS-accredited sanctuaries worldwide, earning this distinction is a rigorous and meaningful achievement. The process requires extensive documentation and implementation of best practices in animal care, governance, and operational policies. Even at this stage, working toward accreditation has strengthened our sanctuary in many ways. As part of our application, GFAS will conduct an on-site evaluation in early June. We are excited for this next step and look forward to sharing updates with our community.

To learn more about GFAS accreditation, visit sanctuaryfederation.org.

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 group tours during designated times April-September, tickets can be purchased on our events page. We also offer private tours by appointment, these must be requested at least 72 hours in advance. Learn more