Iowa Farm Sanctuary

Iowa Farm Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 with a mission to provide a safe and loving home for rescued farmed animals and to inspire compassionate living. We are a small but passionate team of staff, volunteers, and advocates committed to creating a kinder world — one where all beings are treated with empathy and respect. Become an Iowa Farm Sanctuary volunteer by filling out our online application here. 

Iowa Farm Sanctuary provides a safe, loving, and lifelong home to rescued farmed animals while promoting compassionate living through education, outreach, and community engagement. We care for over 100 rescued animals, including cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and more, many of whom arrived with special medical needs or histories of neglect. Our daily work includes providing individualized care, medical support, and enrichment for each resident. Through our programs and events, we create meaningful opportunities for the public to connect with animals and reflect on the impact of kindness, empathy, and informed choices.

These include:

- Educational Programming: Private tours, school field trips, and our LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet) youth program offer hands-on learning about animal rights, sustainability, and compassion.

- Volunteer Opportunities: Community members support our mission through routine chore shifts, garden work, event planning, and animal advocacy during our Sunday Strolls.

- Community Events: Annual gatherings like our Spring Gala, Camp IFS, and Carl’s 5K bring together supporters, vendors, and local businesses to celebrate community and compassion. We also host strolls on Sundays from May to October, allowing visitors to walk our 1-mile trail and learn about the residents and the mission from volunteers stationed along the path.

- Rescue and Rehabilitation: We provide emergency placement, medical care, and lifelong sanctuary for farmed animals in need. As Iowa’s only GFAS (Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries)-accredited farm sanctuary, we are committed to the highest standards of animal care and nonprofit integrity, working every day to build a more compassionate world for all.