Our Mission
Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes criminally abused, neglected and abandoned farm animals. Read on for our guiding principles and programs that serve our community.
Rescue – working in cooperation with law enforcement and county humane organizations, we provide our service to Ohio and any state beyond requesting assistance.
Rehabilitation – providing the veterinary attention, nutrition and maintenance care and nurture to each animal who enters the sanctuary.
Re-home – networking to find loving and forever homes for each animal based on the best match of people, personalities and facilities.
The STAI Program
Our STAI (Solutions to Avoid Intake) Program allows HTFAS to support horse owners who need a short-term helping hand to keep their horses at home rather than surrender them to a rescue. Horses eligible for participation in this program will be those whose owners have contacted HTFAS to surrender them, those whose owners have requested help, and those previously adopted from HTFAS who are at risk of being returned due to short-term financial need.
Assistance will be provided in the form of fundamental care (hay/feed), farrier care, routine vetting (floats, vaccinations, deworming), medications for chronic but manageable conditions (such as Cushing’s), and, if needed, euthanasia and removal. (2024)
Owner Relinquish Initiative
Happy Trails is an open-admission organization, helping anyone who requests assistance in support of our community and the farm animals and horses in their care and in transition. This supports local humane agents by catching at-risk animals before they become criminal. Whether you are a loving owner in crisis or an HTFAS adopter with changed circumstances, we are here to help in your time of need. (2021)
Amish Horse Retirement Initiative
In an effort to supersede horse surrender to one of Ohio’s multiple livestock auction houses, HTFAS founded the Amish Horse Retirement Initiative to provide an option for the Amish community when a horse in their care is ready for retirement or needs a new home. We love our Amish communities and are ready to answer the call when our services are needed. 2001
Animal Welfare/Law Enforcement Collaborations
For cases requiring legal action, HTFAS is called upon to support humane officers with the transition of farm animals and horses involved. HTFAS acts as the care facility housing animals throughout court proceedings until custody is awarded.
HTFAS, alongside veterinarians and other professionals, assess the health of the animal(s) and provide emergency care as needed. Ownership is then transferred to HTFAS for placement in loving homes through our adoption process.