We are expanding the work we do to save animals in need! 

We are in the process of expanding our dog rescue work into something much larger over the next 5-10 years!  This ambitious endeavor keeps animal rescue at the center of what we do and further incorporates community development, youth development/leadership, social entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and service learning.  We aim to become a vehicle that propels the passions of young Deaf scholars, entrepreneurs, educators, leaders, and change-makers - all by way of activities and programs around animal rescue, care, and adoption. 

The entire farm will be built according to DeafSpace principles - a design approach that is aligned with the visual/spatial/linguistic sensibilities of Deaf people and promotes Deaf ways of being.  

Future Goals - run in partnership with and by Deaf people:

- a humane education camp for kids
- an online educational portal reaching kids nationwide
- dog and cat adoption events
- a lodge where organizations can meet
- community classes taught by Deaf adults
- a clinic run by a Deaf veterinarian
- partnerships with Deaf artists and business owners
- an in-town thrift store
- weekly vlogs on our YouTube Channel in ASL about animal care and health
- Bed & Breakfast
- gardens to supply vegetables and flowers to the lodge, Bed & Breakfast, cafeteria, and the in-town farmers' market
- immersion weekends for parents of deaf children
- an orientation on Allyship, Deaf Gain, and visual communication strategies for hearing volunteers 

We want to highlight the notion of Deaf Gain; reframing ‘deaf’ as a form of sensory and cognitive diversity that contributes to the greater good of humanity.  Deaf people are a linguistic minority with a rich history, language, and culture that deserve conservation and preservation. Our hope is that we not exist in a vacuum, but serve as a replicable model for healthy Deaf ecosystems nationwide.

Core Values:

Vitality
Belonging
Compassion
Community
Dignity

The Five Freedoms (adapted from The Five Freedoms of animal welfare):

Freedom to learn and to grow, and to be nourished in mind, body, and soul.
Freedom to exist in a physical environment that is comfortable and affirming of one’s identity.
Freedom to experience healing and wellness. 
Freedom to have one’s true self validated and respected.
Freedom to exist in a space that actively works to protect one’s complete well-being. 


We believe that, in partnership with the Deaf community, our unique animal sanctuary can become a place where Deaf identity and individual and community resiliency will be passed on to younger generations. 

Please contact us for more information!   fivefreedomsfarm@gmail.com
New website coming soon ...

Rabbit gets adopted!

Check out the video of Rabbit before and after prosthetics!

Click here

Rabbit has done so well in just 10 days of rehabilitation with his new legs! He will continue services with his new mama, Whitney, in Orlando.  Rabbit came to us from animal control back in March. He was born without paws on all 4 limbs. We were able to raise funds and work with OrthoPets (who generously donated some of the cost) to get custom made prostheses for Rabbit! Just look how much his mobility has improved! We also want to thank the University of Georgia's Veterinary Hospital (Dr. Sam Franklin and rehab specialist Jodi Seidel)for working with us to get Rabbit the services he needed. This 3-year-old little guy is SO strong-willed and determined. He is super-affectionate, too, and handled all of the attention quite well! Whitney hopes to use Rabbit to work with special needs children!

Rabbit's story goes national!

Check out the coverage from Huffington Post!  CLICK HERE

Rabbit gets local news coverage!

Rabbit's story on Fox 5 Atlanta news!

Change of Mission

We are shifting our mission ... we are now focusing on senior and special needs dogs! Nearly of decade of experience has shown me time and time again that I love older dogs and they need our help! Please consider adopting an older dog - here are 10 reasons from the ASPCA:

1. What You See Is What You Get

Older dogs are open books—from the start, you’ll know important things like their full-grown size, personality and grooming requirements. All this information makes it easier to pick the right dog and forge that instant love connection that will last a lifetime. If you’re not so into surprises, an older dog is for you!

2. Easy to Train

Think you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Hogwash! Older dogs are great at focusing on you—and on the task at hand—because they’re calmer than youngsters. Plus, all those years of experience reading humans can help them quickly figure out how to do what you’re asking.

3. Seniors are Super-Loving

One of the cool parts of our job is reading stories from people just like you who have opted to adopt. The emails we get from pet parents with senior dogs seem to all contain beautiful, heartfelt descriptions of the love these dogs give you—and those of you who adopted dogs already in their golden years told us how devoted and grateful they are. It's an instant bond that cannot be topped!

4. They’re Not a 24-7 Job

Grownup dogs don’t require the constant monitoring puppies do, leaving you with more freedom to do your own thing. If you have young children, or just value your “me time,” this is definitely a bonus.

5. They Settle in Quickly

Older dogs have been around the block and already learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack. They’ll be part of the family in no time!

6. Fewer Messes

Your floors, shoes and furniture will thank you for adopting a senior pooch! Older dogs are likely to already be housetrained—and even if they’re not, they have the physical and mental abilities to pick it up really fast (unlike puppies). With their teething years far behind them, seniors also are much less likely to be destructive chewers.

7. You Won’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

There are those who yearn for a doggie friend of their own, but hold back because they worry what might happen in their lives in the years to come. And they are wise to do so—a puppy or young dog can be anywhere from an 8- to 20-year responsibility, which is not appropriate for the very elderly or those with certain long-term future plans. Providing a loving home for a dog in her golden years is not a less serious commitment, but it can be a shorter one.

8. They Enjoy Easy Livin’

Couch potato, know thyself! Please consider a canine retiree rather than a high-energy young dog who will run you ragged. Not that older dogs don’t require any exercise—they do—but they’re not going to need, or want, to run a marathon every day.

9. Save a Life, Be a Hero

At shelters, older dogs are often the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized. Saving an animal’s life offers an unparalleled emotional return on your investment, and you’ll feel the rewards every day you spend together.

10. They’re CUTE!

Need we say more? 

Thank you, Emma, for your donation to Bliss!

 

BIG thank you to our friend Veronica's daughter, Emma, who raised $150 in donations for Bliss! Emma loves animals and instead of getting gifts on her b-day, she chose to ask friends and family to support our rescue org.  What a cool kid!  Above are some pix of her with the envelope of money and some of the doggies ... Thank you, Emma!

Visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah!

 

At the Welcome Center with Daffodil, a wonderful doggie who we took on a sleepover!

  

The view from near Dogtown

 

May Peace Prevail On Earth at the Welcome Center

 

View from the vegetarian cafe - amazing!

 

The Welcome Center

 

Hummingbirds outside the Welcome Center

 

View from the Welcome Center

 

Dog Headquarters!

                                      Over 400 rescue dogs live at Best Friends

                                                    Play yard for some of the doggies

                                                Dog walking ... this is Pirate, a semi-feral dog

                                               Nancy walking Jeb, a very shy guy

                                          Me walking Clifford - check out the view behind me!

                                               One of the many octagon shaped buildings in Dogtown

                               Inside the octagon shaped building - they have a great set up for the dogs 

Each dog is celebrated and very well cared for :)

                                       Daffodil, our sleepover doggie.  Yes, she slept on the bed!

 

Daffodil cuddling, awwwww

 Petting on kitties at Cat Town

 A great set up for cats!

 Screened in outdoor areas - the cats love it, especially the rafters!

 One of the many kitties with cerebellar hypoplasia, a disorder in which the cerebellum is not completely mature at birth.  These kitties wobble and stagger and sometimes fall over, but they get around just fine and enjoy life at the sanctuary!

 Pigs!!  This is Penelope, a potbellied Pig, along with Otis, the resident Pug.

 Plenty of room to roam and stuff to do for the piggies

 Otis still hanging out with Penelope (who is over 100 lbs, but "small" for a potbellied Pig!)

 More of Piggy Paradise ...

 

We helped prepare the pig's meals - lots o' salad to chop!