Sanctuary Cottage at Changing Hearts Farm

House Rules

Hello, and welcome to our sanctuary! We’re so happy you’ve chosen us for your vacation. Our Sanctuary Cottage (along with donations) is our main source of income to run the farm animal sanctuary. Thank you for supporting our rescued animals!

Before you settle in and get comfortable, we would like to make you aware of the House Rules. Understanding and complying with our House Rules will make for a safe, comfortable, and fun stay for everyone. Please read each of them carefully to avoid any danger or deductions from your security deposit upon check-out. These rules are in place to support the sanctuary and to protect you and our animal residents. Complying with them is a requirement of the vacation Rental Agreement.

Have fun! This is your vacation time, and we hope you make the most of our sanctuary, its amenities, and your opportunity to relax and enjoy it all!

1. MAX OCCUPANCY & CHILDREN

Sanctuary Cottage is available for up to 4 guests, and children are welcome. All Guests will be given a free Sanctuary Orientation Tour to introduce the animals, and to ensure you and our animal residents will remain safe.

2. DOGS - PRIVATE FENCED DOG PARK

Your dogs are welcome as long as they're socialized, meaning if they can play at a dog park, they're welcome here with our animals. We required dogs to be friendly in order to ensure the safety of our dogs are other animal residents.

Your dogs must be socialized, and never aggressive with people, animals, or property, and must not be an excessive barker around other animals. Dogs must be current on their shots and have proof of rabies protection and be on active flea and tick prevention. Please do regular tick checks on your dog(s) while onsite, especially in the spring and early summer. If your dogs create an excessive disturbance or engage in unsafe behavior, you may be asked to leave. In such a case, no refund of any fees paid will be made.

Your dogs must be always on-leash except in the Sanctuary Cottage private fenced dog park. They're welcome to explore other areas with you as long as they’re on-leash and respectful to the animals.

While in the Sanctuary Cottage please use provided dog sheets and dog towels to protect our furniture and linens.

3. ENTRY GATE

When you first arrive, text or call us and we'll open the gate, secure it behind you, and show you how to do so for the future. When entering and exiting the property, please ensure all gates are securely latched so animals don't get out.

4. GENERAL SAFETY & PRIVACY

To keep our residents (and yourselves) safe please ensure the following:

Never open any pasture gates

Never enter any fenced pastures

Never, ever feed the animals (unless we are with you.) The animals are on restricted, specialized diets, and introducing different foods can be dangerous or deadly.

Never carry glass outside of the Sanctuary Cottage property. Broken glass can be dangerous/deadly to our animal residents. (We have plastic glassware available for you to use on the larger sanctuary property.)

Never leave any trash or recycling outside where animals can get to it. Use the appropriate bins.

Guests and their dogs must not do anything that would cause distress or nuisance to the animal residents.

Don't worry, we'll show you the ropes. All Guests will receive a free (mandatory) Sanctuary Orientation Tour. We'll show you around, introduce you to all the residents, and go over all the safety precautions. Afterwards, you're welcome to explore the grounds at your leisure (without glass, of course.)

Heads up: we are an active, working farm sanctuary, so we and/or caretakers may be moving about the sanctuary property anytime during daylight hours taking care of the animals and the property. Don't worry though, the Sanctuary Tiny House and yard are private, all for your enjoyment!

5. VISITORS

Guests are allowed to have up to 2 daytime visitors, with prior approval, but overnight visitors are not allowed. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the Sanctuary Cottage and attached dog park, of course, but for Visitors to have access to the rest of the Sanctuary property, meet the animals, etc., they must attend a Sanctuary Orientation Tour. This is to ensure the safety of Visitors and our animal residents. Please contact us ahead of time to arrange a Sanctuary Orientation Tour for your Visitors. After that, you and your Visitors may enjoy the grounds at your leisure!

Guests are responsible for ensuring maximum Visitor numbers are not exceeded; and that Visitors are complicit with these House Rules.

6. NOISE

We ask that Guests keep noise to a minimum as not to disturb our animal residents – especially during nighttime hours (e.g., 10pm – 8am), and upon arrival and departure.

7. FOOD

We are vegan, but we don't require you to eat only plant-based foods in the Sanctuary Cottage. We're hoping that if non-vegans visit, their hearts will be forever changed. (See note below about food in the pavilion and public spaces.) However, if you'd like to have a vegan sanctuary vacation and want some assistance, we'd be thrilled to help! Check this guide for plant-based alternatives to common foods you can buy in the grocery store: https://www.all-creatures.org/.... Or check out this recipe site for easy vegan adaptations for your favorite foods: https://itdoesnttastelikechick.... And feel free to ask us for suggestions when you're here!

Note: we do require that only vegan food be prepared and consumed in the pavilion and public grilling areas.

8. GARBAGE & RECYCLING

Please dispose of garbage and recycling in the allocated trash cans. Excess trash/recycling must not be left in public or common areas, for the safety of the animals.

9. SECURITY & ENERGY

Any time Guests leave the Sanctuary Cottage, please ensure all windows and doors are closed/locked to maintain security and prevent rain and water damage, and to prevent animals from getting in. Please switch off lights, fans, electronics such as televisions when not in use to promote energy saving. When leaving and returning to the property, please ensure gates are secured (as we'll show you when you arrive.)

10. SMOKING

Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the Changing Hearts Farm Sanctuary property.

11. DAMAGES & BREAKAGES

While we know our guests won’t intentionally break anything at our vacation rental, we understand accidents can happen sometimes. Here is what you need to know about accidental damages or breakages during your stay.

Always report any accidental damages or breakages in a timely manner, especially before check-out.

Please do not move any furniture from one room to another without our permission first.

Please use provided dog towels and sheets for your dog.

If any damage to the property or its appliances is not covered by our insurance, Guest will pay for the repair/replacement costs from the security deposit.

12. CHECK-OUT ARRANGEMENTS

Please remove all garbage and food products from the Sanctuary Cottage when you check out. Text Rick at 704-600-5665 when checking out and leave the key in the lock.

13. EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS

In the event of an emergency contact Rick at 704-600-5665 via phone or text.

14. COMPLIANCE

We’ve set out these house rules so that every guest visiting our property has a safe, secure and, most importantly, fun stay at our place. Compliance with these rules is essential for every member of the traveling party and their Visitors. We hope you have a great time and find everything you need at our home.

Breach of any of these house rules is a breach of the terms and conditions of occupancy, as per the Rental Agreement you have signed when booking.

We reserve the right to evict any Guests or Visitors from the property who refuse to follow these House Rules.

In any case, please use common sense while staying in our Sanctuary Cottage. If you’re unsure about any House Rules and require further clarification, please call us.