Volunteer run, registered charity organization and sanctuary home to over 170 rescued farm animals who have been abandoned, seized by the S.P.C.A., or surrendered due to various circumstances. The Sanctuary was founded in September 2017 and is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Strives to educate the public through sharing knowledge and stories about the lives of farmed animals and inspiring a compassionate lifestyle. Visit website to book. Public and private tours are available. Public tours are available on Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays with advanced booking. Also offers many volunteer opportunities. Public tours are available Mon, Sat, & Sun with advanced booking.
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4380 Inwood Creek Rd, Duncan, British Columbia, Canada, V9L 6H2
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Last update on 19 Jul 2023 by Guest
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Added by Homeforhooves on 19 Jul 2023
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24 Reviews
First Review by LesleyFox
spottedtowhee
Points +127
The vegan heart of Vancouver Island - Edit
There’s nowhere else like Home for Hooves. The human and non-human residents are absolutely lovely and it’s such a thoughtfully run sanctuary. I feel so lucky to be able to volunteer here.
Read moreGuest
afelgate
Points +16
Amazing Sanctuary - Edit
An amazing sanctuary for farmed animals on Vancouver Island. All the animals are well cared for, and get to live their lives in the safety of this beautiful place. Tours are offered throughout the summer months. ☀️ Check them out!
Read morePros: Friendly staff and volunteers. , Inspiring animals.
Cons: They need a larger property to help more animals.
Guest
CLRtraveller
Points +8994
Wonderful sanctuary - Edit
Having visited this sanctuary on an Open House day a couple of years ago, I donated occasionally and then became a monthly donor. I know what a good service they are offering to the many needy animals. Not just hooved ones!
Read moreThe regular newsletters and social media posts keep us aware of the personalities and needs of the various animals and the fundraisers that occur periodically. All help - both volunteer on-site and financial - is appreciated, and I am pleased to help in a small way.
Pros: meeting a great need
Guest
brekitagrange
Points +18
Lucky to be a foster home - Edit
I first met Michelle when A Home for Hooves was in need of a foster home for Cyrus, the 600 pound pig that had been badly abused. I was waiting to see if anyone would step up and when they didn't (well, how many people actually CAN step up to take a big pig) I said I would do it. We have some pig experience with pot bellies but not larger pigs. Michelle was wonderful with checking out our property and ensuring we knew what we were getting into before Cyrus was dropped off. He was here for 4 or 5 months and Michelle was supportive through the entire time. We so enjoyed being a foster home that we have continued to support A Home For Hooves with foster placements.
Read morePros: A caring team committed to animal welfare, compassionate with a sense of humor.
Cons: Nothing I can think of
Guest
AndrewHill
Points +31
How all animals should get to live - Edit
If you live on Vancouver Island or you're just visiting, this is a must-visit!
Read moreHome for Hooves is basically what zoos would be like if they had ethics. Want to teach your kids about animals? Go to a sanctuary. Want to teach your kids about compassion? Go to a farm animal sanctuary. Want both? Home for Hooves has you covered.
They have all kinds of animals there, and they all live in unique habitats that meet their specific needs (like mud wallows for the pigs and forests for the birds). This isn't petting zoo, but most of the animals are so friendly you get to meet them up close and personal (belly rub with a potbelly pig anyone?) and if an animal at the sanctuary isn't social, they don't force them - which is a much better lesson to a kid than "the animals are here for you enjoyment".
Home for Hooves is also a true non-profit organization, meaning 100% of donations and ticket costs go toward the care of the animals. Nobody is making a profit from this place, and it shows when you hear about the level of care being provided. It really is amazing, and all the volunteers and the founder and caretakers are so dedicated to giving their all.
There are zoos on the island too if you'd rather teach your kids that animals are just objects and not living, breathing, sentient beings who deserve our love, respect and compassion.
You'll end up with better kids if you go to a sanctuary though.
Pros: Pigs. OMG pigs. they're smarter than dogs! , Overwhelming amount of love given to the animals, Literally everything else
Cons: You'll want your own sanctuary , You shouldn't have your own sanctuary, It's too much work to have a sanctuary
Guest
Dani.Lynn
Points +16
What an animal sanctuary should be! - Edit
A Home For Hooves is truly a special place for rescued farm animals. The health, comfort and safety of every resident is top priority. I've been fortunate enough to have volunteered for over four years now and I learn something new every time. Michelle is so hard working and caring and ensures that every single animal lives out their best life at the Sanctuary. I highly recommend booking a visit!
Read moreGuest
Steph7mango
Points +29
Happily Ever After Really Does Start Here - Edit
I first visited A Home for Hooves in May of 2019 after reading the story about Theo, the 900 pound pig, that was rescued on the mainland and was coming to his forever home at H4H.
Read moreI had always wanted to be around farm animals but didn't know where I could go see them. The animals, or residents, at the sanctuary are treated with kindness and respect. Tours are given that are thoughtful and fun but also thought provoking. You learn about why pigs wallow in mud or what sheep can and cannot eat and why- no apples allowed! You also learn the stories about how the animals arrived and what care they require.
It is such a joy to see the residents living their best lives. From the pigs who roll over for belly rubs to the curious chickens who follow you around the forest area, there is happiness all around. Until H4H, I had never spent time with farm animals who weren't being exploited or used. You can truly feel the love when you walk onto the sanctuary grounds.
I become a volunteer a year later and it is one of my life's greatest pleasure. It's a magical place not only because of the animals but because of the shared love of animals that the H4H community has created.
Pros: Tours are fun yet educational , You get to spend time with animals , You connect with like minded folks
Cons: I can't come every day
Guest
beepboop123
Points +16
Most Amazing Sanctuary - Edit
Home for Hooves is an amazing place that is dedicated to helping animals find sanctuary. Everyone goes above and beyond to provide the love and care that the animals need.
Read morePros: good values, exceptional care, amazing
Cons: none, none, none
Guest
SusanMGonigle
Points +18
Best sanctuary there is - Edit
Home for Hooves is truly a remarkable and magical place. Any animal who ends up here will have found their forever home, with top notch medical care and love. Michelle Singleton, the founder and owner of Home for Hooves ensures each and all of the needs of the residents are met and exceeded. Truly, heaven on earth for them. I only wish all our fellow sentient beings could live life as fully as the Home for Hooves residents do.
Read moreGuest
Carla_Hyslop
Points +20
Paradise for Piggies - Edit
I volunteer at a Home for Hooves (H4H) weekly and usually stay for a full 4 hours of my 2 hour shift. I could easily spend all day here; hell, I could easily live here! The various species of residents have all been rescued from a miserable and brutally fatal existence in the animal agriculture industry to live the remainder of their lives as individuals pampered by attentive, loving and professional care. Those that visit are greeted by pigs, goats, sheep, and others, that are often very keen on receiving stratchies and belly rubs. Taking a tour of a H4H is essential for anyone visiting Vancouver Island, and volunteering is a must for those that are fortunate enough to live nearby. You'll never want to leave, but thankfully, the non-human animals that live there never have to.
Read morePros: Belly Rubs for Piggies!, Conversations with Turkeys!, Rewarding for humans and non-humans alike!
Guest
brentludwig
Points +16
An exemplary farmed animal sanctuary - Edit
This sanctuary is so amazing and peaceful. Michelle and the other sanctuary staff are incredibly knowledgeable about how best to care for the residents, and they always have the animals’ best interests at heart. A Home for Hooves was the first sanctuary in Canada to be accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). It is so obvious that everyone involved pours their hearts out for the animals, and they are always striving to learn, grow, and improve. I am so proud of everything they have done and continue to do for the animals, and for all the hearts and minds they have touched along the way. :)
Read morePros: Peaceful, Highest standards of care, Vegan
Guest
JeneePatenaude
Points +61
Amazing Furever Home - Edit
Home for hooves is an amazing organization focused and committed to the caring of rescued farm animals. Michelle goes above and beyond to provide the care and love the animals need. Volunteers are friendly, knowledgeable and compassionate. The sanctuary is a blessing.
Read moreGuest
Danika_mm
Points +40
One of my favourite places - Edit
This is such a wonderful place where animals are truly able to find sanctuary. Everyone is so well looked after and their wellbeing is the number one priority.
Read morePros: Happy animals, Peaceful location
Guest
Karin123
Points +22
Home For Hooves does wonderful things - Edit
What a wonderful place to go and see animals who have been rescued and are now living a safe and loved life. Animal sanctuaries do very difficult but such important work. Please support this great place if you can.
Read morePros: Loved the bird forest, Easy to get to, So uplifting for people who care about animals
Guest
VeganonVanIsle
Points +33
A Forever Home for Hooves - Edit
Home for Hooves is a must stop on your Vegan Vancouver Island tour. Not only are there cute animals to meet and engage with, but Michelle and the team are dedicated to providing them high quality care, species appropriate enrichment and, most of all, freedom from exploitation.
Read moreCurrently home to over 170 residents, and located on only 4.5 acres, the sanctuary is in need of a bigger space. The sanctuary has exciting future growth plans and that requires a bigger space! A larger property would not only provide more space and enrichment for the current residents, but enable the Home for Hooves team to take in more animals in need. And with growth comes more opportunities for education, outreach, and volunteer stays/programs.
Come, visit, meet some new animal pals and learn all about the exciting and heart warming mission of A Forever Home for Hooves.
Updated from previous review on 2023-07-20
Pros: Sheep snuggles, Pig belly rubs, Big rooster energy
Cons: Some of the animals don't want to snuggle , You can't take the animals home
Guest
RaniPabla
Points +40
Love love this sanctuary - Edit
Words can’t express how much I love this place and all the babies. I am fortunate enough to volunteer there. If you haven’t volunteered or had a tour you are missing out. Michelle has taken these babies in and hopefully more when we can get enough funding for a bigger property. So more babies can live a wonderful life like the babies all do now.
Read morePros: Clean , Friendly , Amazing
Guest
jay_bear
Points +16
A forever home for farmed animals - Edit
A Home for Hooves has all my confidence to take the best care of farmed animals in need. Everyone there works their buns off to ensure the needs of the animals are met every day. They strive to provide excellent care by fulfilling standards of certification, and by providing consistent and frequent veterinary check-ups for the animal residents. Michelle, the founder, is genuine, caring, and patient with humans and animals alike.
Read moreGuest
Cuttlefishes
Points +41
A wonderful community - Edit
This is the best case scenario for farm animals. They will live out their days without a worry in the world and their lives are filled with love and compassion. The owner is an amazing person and works so hard to provide each animal with exceptional individualized care. It's a wonderful community to be involved with, and the residents are pretty darn cute if I say so myself. I even had wedding pictures taking with the two resident cows Eddie and Ella's, and they obviously stole the show. ❤️ 🐄 🌱
Read moreGuest
LeslieU
Points +27
Happily Ever After Lives Here! - Edit
Just as the sign says, this is a joyful place where you can meet rescued animals who are living their best lives and enjoying every minute! Book a tour or make plans to volunteer - you won’t be disappointed! Michelle and all of the volunteers at A Home For Hooves are kind, compassionate people who make the world a little bit brighter.
Read moreGuest
KyleC
Points +22
Happy Animals, Happy People - Edit
When I first visited A Home for Hooves I was excited to meet the animals and staff. Michelle and Kirsti showed me around and I spent the day learning how to act around the animals - and I learned a lot!
Read moreIn the coming months I would help out around the sanctuary doing minor jobs like poop and scoop, or more interactive jobs like moving some birds from one pen to another. I'll never forget the day I was being handed a hen and asked "If you're comfortable, can you bring her to the lower pen over there? And be sure to keep her wings down." - this was my first time holding a hen, but I wanted to look cool - "Totally" I said. I walked nervously to the lower pen without incident and maybe made a friend in the process.
The level of care and compassion that goes into this sanctuary is inspiring. Probably why it was so easy to make friends. Having been a small part of it is something I will always cherish.
Michelle and everyone involved have really created a special place here. I am excited to get back.
Pro tip: Don't rile the sheep up, like I did one day by jumping around with them. They will, in turn, want to ram you and anyone else for the rest of the day.
Pros: Great staff, Great work environment , Fun times
Guest
BriFern
Points +16
A beautiful place run by beautiful people - Edit
During my tour I got to meet the lovely residents of Home for Hooves, including the amazing Michelle who is the founder. The sheer amount of work, dedication and love that has gone into the Sanctuary is truly wonderful and inspiring.
Read moreGuest
DeyanK
Points +29
My happy place! - Edit
A Home for Hooves (H4H) is an amazing animal sanctuary and organization that works to promote kindness and compassion to all animals, gives a loving forever home to many animals in need, provides education, and provides much needed in-person connection with farm animals. They provide top quality care for all their animal residents and are so worthy of love and support from everyone!
Read moreVisiting the sanctuary is one of my favourite things to do, whether it's to volunteer, do a tour, or go to one of their fun events, and my husband and I even got engaged there in 2020! So it's definitely my happy place!
I 100% recommend supporting them in any and all ways, from visiting, to sharing their information and stories, to fostering, to volunteering, to donating, to sponsoring an animal (or multiple!), to just doing what you can to help this amazing place run as smoothly as possible as the world needs more GOOD like H4H in it! 🐷
Guest
JanaShishkin
Points +16
Living their best life! - Edit
A Home for Hooves Farm Animal Sanctuary is one of the most amazing places that gives so many creatures, big and small, a chance to live their lives free from harm and exploitation and suffering. From the moment you are greeted by the thankful roosters that didn't end up on the cutting block for just being born male, to the prancing free range sheep, bunny and piggies and goats to the predator protected forest area for the busy chickens, ducks and turkeys to roam, you feel their joy. As they should be to live their lives out without ending up on someones plate or commodified for their eggs. Just joy.
Read morePros: Easily Accessible, Friendly people, carefree animals, Helps out the community
Guest
LesleyFox
Points +18
A special magical place - Edit
Home for Hooves Farm Sanctuary is a place of refuge for animals and the people who love them. Enclosures are large, clean and full-time staff ensure all animals are receiving the best care. Each individual animal is brimming with personality and photos/videos are encouraged. The founder, Michelle, provided us with a walking tour of the whole property and we were able to interact with the animals. The experience left a lasting impression on our whole family. We can't wait to go back. Highly recommend, great for kids too.
Read morePros: Large clean enclosures, Variety of animals, Engaging tour, speaker
Guest
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