Free to be Me Animal Sanctuary a Wonderful Place for Families to Visit

Lucky the lamb is one of the newest additions to the animal sanctuary. Free To Be Me Animal Sanctuary is located on the outskirts of Moose Jaw and provides a home for unwanted, abused, rescued or surrendered farm animals. Owner Louanne Shropshire and her daughter Melissa Pierce created the sanctuary more than a decade ago so farm animals could be treated humanely. It was not initially meant to be a location where tours would be given, but as more animals were brought to the sanc tuary, it was suggested that the organization could offer educational tours to cover operational costs. The sanctuary provides a space for animals to heal and feel affec tion, freedom and compassion they might never have received before. Some of the animals housed at the sanctuary were abused, saved from slaughter or bought at auction. Others were considered defective by previous owners, purchased and then no longer wanted the animal, or were even dumped at the farm site. There are a wide variety of animals located at the sanctuary, such as horses, ponies, llamas, alpacas, sheep, ostriches, emus, geese, ducks, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, cats, dogs, cows and goats. You can even find the odd wild Canada goose or other wild bird wandering around among this group of unlikely pals. The site is open for the season,

Mikey the pig enjoys lounging around in the muck. Photos courtesy Free To Be Me Animal Sanctuary but tours are by prior appointment only. A minimum donation of $10 to $20 per person is suggested. Further donations could include gift cards to the Co-op for animal food, while cat food, fruit and veg etables are welcomed. The sanctuary also accepts hay and straw. This is a wonderful place for the whole family, but remember to wear old clothing and boots, as this is a farm and not a zoo. To arrange a tour, call (306) 684- 2231, or visit the Free To Be Me Sanctuary Facebook page.