Animal Surrender Policy

Hope & Serenity Farm Sanctuary is a home for neglected, abused or unwanted animals.

We typically take in animals from hoarding cases, animal control and local authorities and shelters. We do not breed nor purchase animals and we generally do not take in owner-surrendered animals. As many would admonish someone who buys a puppy from a puppy mill, its our job as a farm animal sanctuary to admonish those who purchase animals from breeders while there are many adoptable animals who will otherwise be euthanized.

Species-appropriate biosecurity testing will be required before we can house an incoming animal. We are not a boarding facility. If we accept your surrendered animal, they will not be returned to you. No exceptions.

Hope & Serenity Farm is at full capacity

We are currently at capacity and any requests will be referred to other sanctuaries or waitlisted. In the case we are able to accept an owner-surrendered animal, we require a surrender fee to conduct intake veterinary care (an assessment, potential expanded housing, plus biosecurity testing) and other tasks.

The most surrender-requested animals are roosters, chickens and pot-bellied or mini pigs. Because of this, shelters and sanctuaries are overrun with surrender requests for these animals and generally cannot accommodate more without donations for expanded housing and care.

  • Potbellied or "Mini" Pig Surrender

    With the growing population of people purchasing pigs as pets and the myths surrounding the size of what a mini pig will be at maturity, thousands of pigs are now finding themselves homeless and abandoned. Despite what breeders will say to make a quick dollar, mini pigs are typically over 100 pounds and can be or classified as any pig under 300 pounds. We encourage people to do research before welcoming a pig into their home and always adopt one of the many pigs currently needing a home.

    Pigs MUST spayed or neutered and must have recent hoof and/or tusk trims prior to surrender.

    $1000 surrender fee in cash or money order is required in order to provide necessary expansion of proper housing, fencing and feeding for your pig. This amount is per pig.

    Transport to the sanctuary must be provided by the surrendering party.

    We require a signed contract stating that you agree to never purchase farm animals in the future and that if you adopt animals your home is properly zoned to keep those animals regardless of sex or size.

  • Rooster Surrender

    Homeless roosters are a side-effect from backyard chicken keeping. When you purchase chicks, 30% are incorrectly sexed and nearly every backyard flock ends up with a rooster even though this was unintended by the purchaser. We receive over 500 requests to take in unwanted roosters every year. Our requirements for surrendering a rooster may appear strict, but we are attempting to mitigate a wide-spread problem created by people buying chicks and/or hatching eggs.

    When we take in a rooster from a private party, we require the surrender of his entire flock. It’s emotionally stressful for a rooster to suddenly lose his flock and it isn’t his fault that you chose to keep chickens somewhere that doesn’t also allow roosters. All hens here already have a bonded rooster, therefore your rooster would have no companions.

    $1000 surrender fee in cash or money order is required to purchase a suitable housing for him and his flock which ensures he is safe from being injured by current resident roosters and they are all safe from predators.

    We require a signed contract stating that you agree to never purchase farm animals in the future and that if you adopt animals your home is properly zoned to keep those animals regardless of sex or size.