Frequently Asked Questions & Sanctuary Safety
Frequently Asked Questions
We'd love you to stay at our animal sanctuary vacation retreat!
Hopefully we'll answer all your questions with the information provided below, but if not, please contact us. We're happy to answer any questions you may have.
Dogs
- Your dogs are welcome to join you! They need to be 'dog-park-friendly', i.e. friendly around other dogs and people. We have some specific requirements in order to keep our dogs and farm animals safe and at peace - please see our Dogs Welcome page for more information.
- For the comfort and safety of our rescued animals, no other companion animals except service animals are allowed on Changing Hearts Farm Sanctuary property. If you plan to bring a service animal, please contact us.
Children & Maximum Occupancy
- The Sanctuary Cottage is limited to 4 people, and children are welcome.
Sanctuary Tours
- A complimentary sanctuary tour is included with your reservation. We will also provide a tour for your guests if you rent the Pavilion or have Visitors. However, you may also invite others to join you for a sanctuary tour. There's no charge other than a suggested donation from each person attending the tour. Visit https://changingheartsfarm.org/tour to book additional tours.
Access to Grounds
- As a guest of Sanctuary Cottage, you have unlimited access to the Sanctuary's grounds throughout your stay, AFTER you've completed your free Sanctuary Orientation Tour - this is to ensure your safety, and the safety of our animal residents. During the tour you'll meet all the animals, and learn the ropes.
- Please use only plastic glassware on the sanctuary property, when outside of the private fenced yard of the Sanctuary Cottage.
- Though you are not allowed to open gates or enter any enclosure without Rick, Carolyn, or a Changing Hearts volunteer, many of the residents will greet you at the fence for scratches and love.
- For your comfort and that of other animal residents, we have a quiet period between 10 PM and 8 AM each day.
Plant Based or Vegan Food
- While we are a vegan family, we don't require you to bring only vegan food into the Sanctuary Tiny House. Our #1 goal is to have you visit us and and enjoy your stay!
- However, we do require only vegan food be prepared and consumed in the Pavilion and public grilling areas.
- If you'd like ideas for vegan alternatives to everyday animal foods, check out this free PDF guide What to Eat When You Don't Eat Animals or these recipes from It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken. We're also happy to provide you with a list of our favorite vegan options at local restaurants, and feel free to check out Veggl for vegan options as well. You can even grab a great vegan meal at the Taco Bell 3 minutes from your Sanctuary Tiny House, and check out their website - they have info on How To Eat Vegan at Taco Bell! If you any questions, please contact us and we will be more than happy to help.
Check-In & Check Out
- Instructions on how to enter both the main entrance and your private Sanctuary Tiny House will be sent to you via email 48 hours before your stay.
- You may check in any time after 2 PM on the date of your reservation. If you're going to arrive after 8 PM please contact us to make special arrangements.
- Please check out by 11 AM on the day your reservation ends so that the we can clean the house for our next guests.
Privacy
- The Sanctuary Cottage and private fenced yard are yours to enjoy privately during your stay.
- We live elsewhere on the property. We and/or other animal caretakers will be out and about the sanctuary every day caring for the animals, but again, your yard and Tiny House are solely for you during your stay.
Parties & Events
- Parties are not allowed.
Rules & Safety Tips
- Smoking is prohibited in all parts of Sanctary Cottage including the decks; guests who violate the smoking policy will be assessed a $500 cleaning fee. If you wish to smoke, please do so at least 50 feet from any building entrances or exits, and please dispose of cigarette butts or trash safely in the proper receptacle, not on the ground.
- For their safety, please NEVER EVER feed any animals or carry glass or ceramic cups near their enclosures.
- Please do not open gates or enter any enclosures/pastures. You'll have lots of time to interact with the residents inside their enclosures during the private tour or public tours guided by Rick, Carolyn, or a volunteer.
Have a Question We Haven't Answered Here?
- Contact us and we'll be happy to answer it! It's very likely something others are wondering too, so you'll be helping us out. We may even add your question to this list.