VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME
Volunteers are the heart of the everyday activities here.
Work can include cleaning and filling water containers, raking and mucking stalls and paddocks, spending one-on-one enrichment time socializing and grooming specific animals, and other animal care needs of the day. At certain times of the day you can assist the staff with some feeding tasks, especially the pigs or the birds. We train you and focus on the safety of both our animals and the volunteers. Most volunteers report that they get more from volunteering than they give: a true sense of connection.
Want to help in other ways? Volunteers can get involved with activities outside the realm of direct animal care. Maybe you are a great videographer or photographer? You rock at great social media posts? Maybe you would like to help with our fundraising? You could offer workshops on topics related to our mission, or help with the humane education program. We love to have our volunteers be the voice of Unity Farm Sanctuary as ambassadors speaking with the visitors during our special onsite events.
The majority of any onsite animal-care activities are mostly labor intensive, so please notify us in advance if you are unable to perform certain tasks. We can work with you to craft a volunteering experience that will respect your needs and the requirements of our animal rescues. Volunteers here are ages 10-82!
Our Volunteer Handbook and Waiver are below to download, and you can email us to get the information on our next Volunteer Orientation!
OPERATION HEALING HEARTS
Launching in the spring of 2026, Operation Healing Hearts brings together the healing environment of the Sanctuary with our veteran/active duty military community members.
We are honored to welcome veterans and active-duty military to connect with nature and the rescued farmed animals here at the sanctuary. Learn about the farmed animals here, hear their stories and explore how these animals can help with wellness, healing and relationships. This is all done in a peaceful and beautiful location on 30 acres with trails surrounding the property.
The program is free for veterans and active-duty personnel, and will be run by a veteran of the United States Air Force, Sanctuary Council President Peter DiMarzio. Participants will learn about Unity Farm Sanctuary and its mission, and begin with a tour of the Sanctuary. The veteran/active duty program is an extension of this one-day learning experience.
There are many opportunities to fit in at many different areas across the Sanctuary. Some of the opportunities include working with our horses, ponies and donkeys and keeping their paddock and stalls cleaned. Learn to gain the horses' trust, and let them invite you into their space. Walking our equine residents or helping the farrier when he visits in the shoeing process are some of the additional possibilities.
If horses are not the best fit, participants can experience the affectionate goats. The goats are overseen by Maxine, a beautiful llama who is their protector - and she welcomes visitors as they approach the animal paddocks. Our sheep are gentle, and participants learn how to quietly interact with them. Volunteers get to know our intelligent pigs, shy alpacas or our many feathered friends. If volunteers want to get their hands right into the dirt, they can join the orchard and greenhouse revival. If a volunteer is interested in trails and woodlands: maintaining the walking trails around the property ensures they are in good shape for walkers by exploring for down trees, holes or other obstacles that could hurt a walker.
After the end of the onsite visiting program, participants can begin the next steps to be part of the veteran/active-duty volunteer program including the volunteer manual and application.
MAKE A DONATION
We always appreciate the generosity of people like you, with every contribution going towards making Unity Farm Sanctuary an even better forever home for farmed animals than it already is. Every dollar goes directly into animal food, veterinary care, and animal housing.
PARTNER WITH US
Maybe you have another idea how we can work together to enhance our educational mission and community service. For example, we offer opportunities to numerous local organizations for the disadvantaged, disabled, and elderly. Please contact us with your special requests.
INTERNSHIPS
We offer opportunities for local schools and colleges to include Unity Farm Sanctuary experiences in their coursework offerings. Interns would work closely with staff to participate in hands-on daily events, and developing relationships with the animals that far exceeds any other experience we offer.
JOBS
Unity Farm Sanctuary is currently seeking a Full Time Animal Caregiver team member.
Unlike the tasks in volunteering, Full-time Animal Caregiver is a more physically intense job than volunteering. Caregivers are out in all weather year-round, with lots of direct animal welfare tasks, including moving heavy supplies, using vehicles, feeding and health care. We train!
Kindness and compassion for the animals and fellow Animal Caregiving team members is important, and a belief in our rescue mission is key!
Our Animal Caregivers follow our mission and eat plant-based while working here onsite at the Sanctuary.
Email Tyler@unityfarmsanctuary.org with any questions
Animal Caregivers must have a valid driver's licence (you must be 18 and up), be a resident of MA/RI, and previous large animal experience is valuable, as is any Veterinary Technician experience. We do not seek part-time caregivers.
If you can also drive a truck and trailer, commensurate starting salary boost!
