Blue Barn Farm and Sanctuary Inc.

We are a dedicated husband and wife team committed to animal welfare. I am a veterinary technician with a long history of involvement in rescue and fostering, which began when I was 16 years old. Residing on a farm in North Salem, we have been rescuing animals for years as part of our farm sanctuary. Recently, we decided to formalize our efforts to expand our capacity to help more animals and find suitable homes for those we adopt out. Our sanctuary is home to a variety of animals, including horses, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and a gecko. Our journey began with Nibbles, a neglected guinea pig whose story is all too common—initially desired as a pet, he was ultimately abandoned when interest waned. We adopted Nibbles and soon brought in another guinea pig, but due to their unneutered status, they could not coexist peacefully. My daughter’s love for guinea pigs led to us acquiring a female, resulting in a household that resembled a pet store. To improve their living conditions, we built an outdoor coop with an edible garden, had the males neutered, and successfully integrated them into a happy group. After sharing our experiences, we quickly received inquiries to take in six more guinea pigs, highlighting the urgent need for a dedicated guinea pig rescue as they are often overlooked and discarded. In addition to guinea pigs, we have also started rescuing chickens and ducks and are in the process of establishing a quarantine barn for larger barnyard animals. Our focus is primarily on critical care, special needs, senior, and pregnant animals. With my background as a retired veterinary technician, I possess the necessary experience to care for these vulnerable animals, which many other rescues may not be equipped to handle. Animals that are not adoptable will have a permanent home in our sanctuary, while those that are adoptable will remain with us until we find the perfect match. Currently, our sanctuary is home to 16 sanctuary guinea pigs and 14 ICU guinea pigs, as well as 14 ducklings, a rooster, and a cat with premature kittens that she rejected. This is in addition to the 53 animals we rescued before becoming an incorporated entity. As our operations grow, I am seeking a more effective way to manage and track the animals in our care, having tried several software programs that did not meet our needs.