Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge

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Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge

Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge is a non-profit that provides lifelong care to rescued farm animals.

The Refuge is a non-profit organization that provides lifelong care to rescued farm animals, educates people about the realities of animal agriculture, and promotes veganism by offering knowledge, support, and community. Founded in 2012, The Refuge is located in North Carolina just 15 minutes away from the downtowns of Carrboro, Saxapahaw, and Pittsboro and 20 minutes away from downtown Chapel Hill.

04/02/2025

We've talked a little bit about it, but we want to make sure you know all that you can expect when you come to this month's Tour and Explore on April 26! 🎉

First off, you'll meet more than 100 rescued farm animals, from our biggest cow, Benny, to our smallest hen, Peep. As you're walking around in the beautiful spring weather and taking in the sights at the Refuge, you'll also be able to grab delicious snacks from Fresh AF Food Truck and Coley's Treats.

We had so much fun during March's Tour and Explore, and we can't wait to see you for April's!

Sign your waiver and get tickets here:

https://www.piedmontrefuge.org/events-calendar/april-2025-tour

04/01/2025

What was Moscato trying to tell us with this expression?? 🤔🤣

03/31/2025

In case you missed it...

We had a MASSIVE turnout for our first Tour and Explore of the year! Well over a hundred (!) guests came out to meet our residents and see what's possible when farm animals are respected and cared for in a forever home. We had beautiful weather, great vegan food (courtesy of Pizza Paradise and Cake Slayer), and a beyond cute 21st birthday party for our very own Lillie the Goat! 🥹

It was a beautiful show of community and compassion, and we're unbelievably grateful to everyone who came out, from longtime supporters to first-time visitors to committed volunteers, staff, and vendors. It's a true gift to be able to share our residents with you, and we can't wait to do it again 💪!

Click the link below for tickets to our next Tour and Explore on April 26:

https://www.piedmontrefuge.org/events-calendar/april-2025-tour

03/29/2025

The day is finally here 🤯

Tour and Explore at the Refuge begins at 11am! Online tickets are now closed, but don't worry: you can still buy tickets in-person here at the Refuge, so it's not too late.

So whether you've had tickets for weeks or you just decided you'd like to see some beautiful farm animals this Saturday, we can't wait to see you!

03/28/2025

When you’re new to the Refuge, it can take some time to put a name to the face of each animal. But did you know that farm animals have AMAZING memories and facial recognition skills? Sheep, for example, can memorize up to 50 faces, and chickens can memorize at least 100! Furthermore, animals such as sheep can recognize smiles and other facial gestures, while cows respond differently to people based on past experiences.

These are just a few examples of the remarkable intelligence of farm animals, going against the harmful myths spread by the meat and dairy industries. So come to the Refuge and see our brilliant, unforgettable residents for yourself–you just might make a lasting impression!

03/27/2025

Yesterday was Health Check Day for our sheep! 👩‍⚕️❣️

We give our sheep residents the best care possible, and that means regular health checks like this! We trimmed their hooves (with the help of a net sling that makes it more comfortable for them), checked them for parasites, and administered dewormer when necessary. To make it easier, we were sure to give them lots of love 💕

03/26/2025

Frizz was speaking her mind!

Like our other birds, guineafowl communicate using different vocalizations. Males have louder, one-note calls while females have softer calls.

03/24/2025

Less than a week until 2025's first Tour and Explore at the Refuge!!!

We can't believe it's almost here. This is one of our most cherished traditions at the Refuge, and it's one of the best ways to come out and meet our residents while learning about our mission. We'll have knowledgeable tour guides, positively addictive vegan food courtesy of Pizza Paradise and Cake Slayer, and of course some amazingly brilliant and cute animals. Plus, we're celebrating the 21st birthday of Lillie the Goat, who will be receiving gifts and digging into her very own birthday cake 🥹🎂

Looking for something new to do this weekend? Then get tickets now! You'll see what it looks like when farm animals are protected, celebrated, and respected.

https://www.piedmontrefuge.org/events-calendar/march-2025-tour

03/24/2025

Music Monday!!! 🎼🎧🎤

Last month, we shared some footage of our rescued residents being serenaded with music. All farm animals are unique, and each resident responded differently to the tunes.

This got us thinking...what kinds of music do each of our residents really gravitate to?

Maybe you can help us out. We'll start off with our friend Atlas. What would he put on his playlist if he could make one? Let us know in the comments.

And if you want to see our residents enjoy some tunes: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1368521010820087

03/23/2025

Get your chef's hats on!!! 👩‍🍳

Our next vegan potluck is on Saturday, April 12! Whether you're a seasoned vegan or just curious, this event is the the perfect way for us all to come together for community, cooking, and compassion. So come on out for the chance to make some new friends and try some new recipes! 🥗

Use the link below to learn more and RSVP (It's FREE!!!)

https://www.piedmontrefuge.org/events-calendar/spring-potluck

03/22/2025

Life can be hectic, but you should still take a little time to relax with someone you love. It seems to work for our residents.

03/21/2025

Camp Compassion is returning this summer, and we are so excited to bring back one of our favorite traditions here at the Refuge! 🥰🥳

Camp Compassion began in 2016 as a way to give kids ages 7-12 a deeper understanding, respect, and love for animals of all kinds. Due to COVID, we had to put a pause on the program in 2020, but it's returning this summer!

Children who attend will be able to meet our residents and learn about their stories and personalities. They'll gain animal care experience, enjoy creative experiences like arts and crafts, and even learn how to prepare their own plant-based lunches alongside a talented vegan chef! 🤯🥗

Use the link below to learn more and access the registration link:

https://www.piedmontrefuge.org/camp-compassion

03/21/2025

We recently had the joy of welcoming a group of bright, compassionate K-3rd graders from a local Girl Scouts Troop! As enthusiastic animal lovers, they were thrilled to meet and learn about our rescued residents. Before embarking on their tour, the troop channeled their creativity into a fun volunteer project - creating colorful, non-toxic paintings for our enrichment program! These masterpieces will soon become part of our animals’ very own art gallery, bringing fresh curiosity to their days. We can’t wait to see how our residents react to their new artwork! Thank you, Girl Scouts, for sharing your kindness and creativity with us!

03/20/2025

As we say goodbye to winter and embrace this period of rebirth, our gorgeous sheep are saying goodbye to their old hair! 🐑☀️

Yes, spring is the season for shedding, but you may notice that not all sheep are losing their hair. That’s because sheep are split into two categories based on their coats: wool sheep and hair sheep, which have shorter, coarser hair.

Why is this? When many people think of sheep, they imagine thick coats of wool, but this is actually not natural for the species. In fact, humans used selective breeding to create breeds with extremely copious and soft wool. And because wool retention was considered a very desirable trait, domestic sheep can no longer get rid of their wool on their own, meaning that they rely on humans to shear them.

Here at the Refuge, we love all of our sheep equally regardless of what they look like on the outside. For our wool sheep, we make sure they’re comfortable by shearing them each May, though we wish we didn't have to put them through it every year - it's a stressful process no matter how gently it is done! Then, after the shearing process, we make sure that the wool is spread around the forest for wildlife to use in nests and bedding. And while our hair sheep shed naturally, we still like to give them a hand or two when we have the time 🥰

03/19/2025

🚨Warning!!!🚨 Do NOT look if you’re hungry 😰

For this month’s Tour and Explore here at Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, we've pulled out all the stops. In addition to the opportunity to meet our brilliant and lovable animal residents, we’ve also booked two truly mouthwatering vendors: PizzaParadise and Cake Slayer! This means that you’ll be able to grab some piping hot slices of the “cheesiest” and most decadent vegan pizza you’ve ever had before sinking your teeth into fluffy plant-based brownies and artisanal strawberry macaroons.

This is just a small taste of what’s in store for you, so come and taste it all in-person on Saturday, March 29! Use the link below to get tickets!

https://www.piedmontrefuge.org/events-calendar/march-2025-tour

03/18/2025

Look on the bright side...

The weather's been crazy recently, but t-shirt season will be here before you know it!!! ☀️🌈🌻

If you want to show your love for animals and look your best this spring, then stop scrolling and check out our latest shirt design (as well as some fan favorites on sale 👀). Plus, take a look at eight brand new stickers featuring our rescued residents.

Don't miss out! Use the link below to see everything we have to offer.

https://piedmontrefuge.bigcartel.com/

03/16/2025

What do you think of when you imagine a goat eating? Do you imagine them scavenging for anything they can on the ground? Maybe chewing on a tin can?

While these are the images we so often see in pop culture, they're far from reality. In fact, goats tend to be pretty picky eaters.

"Many of our goats may even turn their noses up at fresh produce if it's not one of their favorite items," says Lenore, Executive Director here at the Refuge. "They're also sometimes deterred from eating foods that are very close to the dirt. This is a natural instinct that goats have to stay away from foods that are low to the ground and therefore may be contaminated by parasites." Because of this, goats will chew grasses in their pasture down to a certain height and only resume when it has regrown.

Goats have very specific diets. They're ruminants, meaning they have four stomachs and can safely break down fibrous materials in nature such as grass, leaves, bark, and small sticks. In the wild, their diets consist of 60% browse (bark, leaves, sticks) and 40% pasture. "At the Refuge, we took this into consideration with the placement of our goat houses," says Lenore. "They're built between pasture and woods, allowing easy access to both environments."

There are many other things to consider when feeding our goat residents. For example, some goats may require "breakfast," which consists of a mix of grains, alfalfa pellets, weight builder, and other supplements depending on the individual goat. Anyone taking care of goats should also know that males can develop harmful urinary stones if they eat too much grain without a properly balanced diet.

Just like so much of the farm animal experience, goat diets are far more complex and fascinating than most people realize. We know how important it is to be informed about the nutritional needs of each of our animals, and we're committed to providing our goats with everything they need to live healthy lives full of their favorite foods.

03/14/2025

‼️‼️ New Rescue Alert ‼️‼️

Big announcement: We recently rescued twin goats, a male named Chai and a female named Mocha, from a home where they were no longer able to receive proper care. Their caregiver had been suffering from her own health issues, and the goats, particularly Chai, were in dire need of help. We have never seen a goat with this many issues before ): He is underweight and has overgrown hooves, a pronounced limp, severe hair loss, and poor skin condition. While we work with our vet to get him on the path to recovery, we are also working to ensure he and Mocha both feel comfortable and begin to settle into their new home at the Refuge. They are 15 years old and have never been transported before, so they were understandably very scared of the process. However, they're now getting used to their new surroundings in our quarantine. It's obvious how bonded they are to one another, and we are so glad they will never be separated. Please help us welcome these two elderly siblings to the Refuge!

If you want to support Chai and Mocha on their new adventure, you can now sponsor them!!! Money from sponsorships will go into making sure they have everything they need here at the Refuge.

Sponsor Chai: https://www.piedmontrefuge.org/residents/chai
Sponsor Mocha: https://www.piedmontrefuge.org/residents/mocha

Address

7236 NC Highway 87 N
Pittsboro, NC
27312

Telephone

(919) 533-4013

Website

http://www.piedmontrefuge.org/, http://www.patreon.com/piedmontrefuge, https://linktr.ee/piedmont_farm_animal_refuge, ht

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Meanwhile, Molly in the background…contemplating if it’s her turn or if waiting just builds character. 😂 🐑 💛 🤲 Lend a hand! Join our volunteer team and help care for rescued animals like Luther. Every bit of support makes a difference!

POV: You step into the pasture, and the sheep have one question… 🐑👀 ‘Are you going to feed us or what?!’ 😂 These rescued fluffballs take meal time very seriously. Come meet them (and their big personalities) at our Tour & Explore event tomorrow! 🌿✨ #hungrysheep #rescueanimals #vegansanctuary #sheeparefriends #explorenc #funnyanimals #thingsdowithkids #familyfriendlync

Frizz was speaking her mind! Like our other birds, guineafowl communicate using different vocalizations. Males have louder, one-note calls while females have softer calls.

Our brilliant Roz has a very long tongue, and she knows how to use it to her advantage 😁

Tina & Diana are here to school you on some facts! 📚 Did you know chickens can… 👀 Recognize up to 100 different faces, including yours! 😴 Experience REM sleep and dream, just like we do. ➕ Count and understand basic math. 💛 Form strong friendships and have besties. 🧠 Solve problems and understand cause & effect. 🎶 Communicate with over 30 unique sounds. 🌈 See more colors than humans, including UV light. These are just a few fun facts, but the real joy is getting to know their unique personalities! Come meet Tina, Diana, and friends at The Refuge! 🐔✨ #ChickenFacts #SmartBirds #FarmSanctuary #VeganForTheAnimals #SanctuaryLife #ChickensAreFriends #RescueAnimals #AnimalAdvocacy #NotFood #VeganEducation #CompassionateLiving #PlantBased #EthicalVegan #FriendsNotFood #VeganLifestyle #BeKindToAll

New Goats: Chai and Latte!

‼️‼️ New Rescue Alert ‼️‼️ Big announcement: We recently rescued twin goats, a male named Chai and a female named Mocha, from a home where they were no longer able to receive proper care. Their caregiver had been suffering from her own health issues, and the goats, particularly Chai, were in dire need of help. We have never seen a goat with this many issues before ): He is underweight and has overgrown hooves, a pronounced limp, severe hair loss, and poor skin condition. While we work with our vet to get him on the path to recovery, we are also working to ensure he and Mocha both feel comfortable and begin to settle into their new home at the Refuge. They are 15 years old and have never been transported before, so they were understandably very scared of the process. However, they're now getting used to their new surroundings in our quarantine. It's obvious how bonded they are to one another, and we are so glad they will never be separated. Please help us welcome these two elderly siblings to the Refuge! If you want to support Chai and Mocha on their new adventure, you can now sponsor them!!! Money from sponsorships will go into making sure they have everything they need here at the Refuge. Sponsor Chai: https://www.piedmontrefuge.org/residents/chai Sponsor Mocha: https://www.piedmontrefuge.org/residents/mocha

We're proud to announce March's Volunteer of the Month: Alex! 🏆 Alex has been volunteering in our office for about two months, organizing the space and helping to keep the sanctuary running. A talented musician, he's also provided enrichment to our animal residents by playing guitar and singing for them. "My fave thing about volunteering is the people," he says. "I savor the time with like-minded peeps!" Even though most of his work has been in the office, he adores the animals🐄🦆🐑. "Maybe I'll cuddle with a chicken someday - it's my lifetime dream!" 🐓

Keeping it cool with Miyoko

Are you the adventurous snacker, the nibbler, or the one who needs trust issues resolved first? 🍿😆 #SnackTime #ChickenLogic #Relatable #FoodPersonality #WhichOneAreYou #FunnyAnimals #ChickensOfInstagram #FarmSanctuary #VeganForTheAnimals #FoodieVibes #SanctuaryLife #VeganHumor #SnackAttack #BeKindToAnimals

🐑💛 Come meet these sweet souls in person at our first Tour & Explore event of the season on March 29! This family-friendly event is a perfect way to spend time outdoors, meet our rescued animals, and learn their incredible stories. Whether you're looking for a unique adventure, a fun day with the kids, or a peaceful escape into nature, we’d love to welcome you to the sanctuary! The link to reserve your spot can be found in our bio! 🌿✨ #VeganSanctuary #SheepAreFriends #FamilyFun #ExploreNC #ThingsToDoWithKids #CompassionForAll #FluffyFriends #CuteAnimalVideos #ThingsToDoNC #VisitNorthCarolina

Our sheep clearly follow the five-second rule...

Hope thought the shoe was food! We didn’t have the heart to break it to her.

Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge

04/02/2025

04/01/2025

03/31/2025

03/29/2025

03/28/2025

03/27/2025

03/26/2025

03/24/2025

03/24/2025

03/23/2025

03/22/2025

03/21/2025

03/21/2025

03/20/2025

03/19/2025

03/18/2025

03/16/2025

03/14/2025

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New Goats: Chai and Latte!

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