Volunteer at the
Happy Herd
Ready to make a difference?
Join our incredible community of volunteers.
We’d love to have you join our volunteer team!
The more consistency and commitment we have, the better the experience is for everyone — especially the animals, who thrive on familiar faces and routines, bonding with volunteers that can commit to a specific schedule.
Some quick information to consider
- volunteers must be 16 years or older.
- pets are not allowed with you, our dog, cats, and some chickens roam freely and their comfort is our top priority.
Volunteering Hours
Year Round: Morning shift: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM or Afternoons: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (earlier in winter)
Transportation & Parking
There is no convenient public transportation to our sanctuary therefore private or group arranged transportation must be organized by the volunteers.
There is plenty of parking on the road just outside the main gate. There’s a ‘people’ gate to the left of the driveway. Like all gates on the farm, close it behind you.
Getting Started
Bring a signed liability waiver with you on your first visit (see below).
Wear farm-appropriate clothing: boots or rubber boots, clothes that can get dirty, gloves, and a mask if you’re sensitive to dust while cleaning stalls.
Please do not bring guests unless you have volunteered at least four times and have confirmed with Diane first. Extra people can make tasks harder to manage, and our routines work best with a consistent team.
A volunteer room is available for storing your personal items, and there is a bathroom at the back of the property next to the cow area beside the feed room.
Ask Diane what the animals can be fed and in what amounts.
Your first day includes an orientation with an experienced volunteer. You’ll meet the animals, get a tour of the farm, and receive support as you learn the various tasks.
Cleaning of cows, pigs, goats & sheep areas:
Rake up old hay and manure into wheelbarrows.
Sweep and remove waste in the large, paved goat pen.
Dump all compostable waste at the designated compost site.
Replace bedding (straw for pigs; shavings for goats).
Fill the hay mangers.
Empty, scrub, and refill all water containers.
Cleaning of chicken coops:
- clean and refilling water bowls & food.
- cleaning of waste.
- gather eggs from the coops, put in feed room
- strip all old bedding from floor and nesting boxes (monthly).
- put down light layer of lime and then cover with shavings
- refill nesting boxes with shavings.
Meal preparation for the animals: (only select Volunteers)
- sorting vegetables and fruits in the feed room.
- preparing animal specific meals.
- ensure a wheelbarrow of hay is left for afternoon feedings of animals.
- discard unusable items.
- sweep feed room floor, empty compost bucket
Animal Enrichment:
- brush and play with the animals.
- pigs love belly rubs.
- all animals love to be groomed, there are brushes in most areas
- the pigs need mud holes filled with water in the hot summer weather.
General tasks:
- general clean up of barn area & removal of hay from grass areas around farm.
- notifying Diane & Steve if running low on any items around the farm (hay/straw/shavings/ advising of broken tools etc).
- storage of tools in proper area and tidy up during and after completion of work.
- weeding/watering garden/plants.
- moving Hay into barn loft. (seasonal)
- painting fences/houses.
Shift Sign Up & Communicating Your Availability
After becoming a regular volunteer, you’ll receive access to our secure online Volunteer Portal. The portal allows you to easily indicate your availability, sign up for single or recurring shifts, and receive automated reminders. This helps reduce email and text coordination and gives volunteers a clear view of where support is still needed.
The system was thoughtfully designed by one of our dedicated volunteers, ensuring it truly meets the needs of our team.