Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary

Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary is an American nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal protection organization located in Gainesville, Florida. It is America's largest shelter for farmed bovines, with 98 cows as of October 2020.[1] The sanctuary was founded by Dr. Erin Amerman and her husband Dr. Chris Amerman in 2016. Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary's mission is to promote compassion for farmed animals through rescue and education.

Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary
Formation2016 (2016)
FoundersDr. Erin Amerman
83-2914563
Legal status501(c)(3)
PurposeAnimal protection
Location
Websitewww.crittercreekfarmsanctuary.org

History

Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary was founded on a 200-acre property in 2016 in Gainesville, Florida. The original Critter Creek property comprises a 125-acre wildlife preserve and a 75-acre sanctuary. In 2019, the Amermans expanded the sanctuary with the purchase of “Critter Hills,” a 205-acre former cattle ranch. Amerman, an author of human anatomy and physiology textbooks, cites a lifelong love of animals as inspiring her to start a sanctuary.[2]

The sanctuary

Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary has two facilities totaling 415 acres. As of October 2020, it is home to 98 cows, 19 pigs, 11 horses, nine donkeys, three turkeys, and a water buffalo. The animals housed at the sanctuary were injured, neglected, abused, or at imminent risk of slaughter.[3]

Education is a key part of the sanctuary's mission. In pursuit of that mission, it hosts open houses, tours, and vegan farmers markets to facilitate interaction with the animals. According to Amerman, the aim of these events is to help people see farmed animals in a different light.[4][5]

Notable sanctuary residents include Seymour the water buffalo, Eli the calf, and Marley the piglet. The duo of Eli and Marley were transported together to the sanctuary; during the trip, they formed a friendship. This friendship was featured in an episode of Comeback Kids by The Dodo.[6][7][8] The story of Eli and Marley was ranked as number six in the top 10 animal stories of 2020 by the website One Green Planet.[9] In April 2021, Buddy the Beefalo, an animal who escaped a slaughterhouse in Connecticut, was captured by Plymouth police captain Ed Benecchi and transported to Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary.[10][11]

Rescue collaborations

Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary frequently collaborates with other rescue organizations, including the SPCA and The Humane Society.[12] In April 2020, it partnered with Farm Sanctuary, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and five Florida sanctuaries to rescue over 100 animals from an illegal slaughterhouse in Fort Myers, Florida.[13] Also in April 2020, Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary rented a truck and delivered donated produce to rescue organizations harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]

See also

References
  1. Acosta, Sarah (October 10, 2020). "Woman gives unwanted farm animals a second chance at life". ksat.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  2. Farrell, Brendan (August 9, 2019). "Welcome to cow heaven". The Gainesville Sun. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  3. Reynolds, Lance (October 10, 2020). "Beefalo headed for warmer climes when (and if) he's captured". Republican-American. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  4. Swirko, Cindy (October 26, 2019). "Oinktoberfest: Fun for critters and animal lovers". The Gainesville Sun. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  5. Hernandez de la Cruz, Melissa (May 17, 2021). "Vegan farmer's moo-ket delights North Florida residents". The Independent Florida Alligator. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  6. Jadran, Farah (October 11, 2019). "Water buffalo travels from Watkins Glen to Florida for forever home". CNY Central. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  7. Hettler, Shelby (June 2020). "Piglet who fell off truck and cow rescued from dairy farm become each other's new family". onegreenplanet.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  8. Mavrakis, Emily (March 2, 2020). "Calf, piglet find forever home at Gainesville sanctuary". The Gainesville Sun. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  9. Hettler, Shelby (December 2020). "Top 10 animal stories of 2020". onegreenplanet.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  10. Taylor, Shara (April 15, 2021). ""Buddy" the beefalo finds new home in Gainesville". WTIC-TV. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  11. Burchill, Caitlin (April 15, 2021). "What's Next for Plymouth's Famous Buddy the Beefalo". NBC Connecticut. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  12. Harrar, Landon (September 18, 2020). "Escaped Connecticut beef-a-lo set to live out final days in Gainesville". wcjb.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  13. "Collaborating against cruelty: 6 sanctuaries rescue 113 animals from backyard slaughter". farmsanctuary.org. May 22, 2020. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  14. Swirko, Cindy (April 30, 2020). "Sanctuaries cope with falling income, volunteers". The Gainesville Sun. Archived from the original on May 1, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
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