(Elliot the Steer is practicing for the World Cup soccer games, we think!)

Each Life Matters: The Story of Orion

We never know what each day at the Sanctuary might bring!

In the cold January month of 2025, 'Spotty Dogs Hiking' was walking dogs on a trail in Sherborn. She saw a golden rooster lingering there at the trailhead in the sub-freezing temperatures. I saw her social media post that evening, and neither she nor I slept well, knowing he was there. The next morning, Animal Caregiver Emma and I went to the trailhead with a little 'puppy pen' fencing to help corral him so we could catch him. It was not hard, he was wary but cold. He was lucky to have limited frostbite. He was a young rooster then, less than a year old based on the spurs. We named him Orion, and he has been a happy and friendly rooster here since that time, with some best human and animal best friends.

We get many daily calls or emails to accept a surrender rooster. Leaving them in the woods is not an acceptable option. Humane euthanasia is the kindest option if you cannot safely re-home a rooster and cannot keep one in your town. 5-10 percent of the female chicks purchased at hatcheries and feed stores will still be male.

Recently, Orion somehow broke his middle toe! He received pain relief (meloxidyl) and we tried wrapping this to his adjacent toe, but we were unable to keep it stable. Our avian veterinarians are at MSPCA - AngellWest in Waltham, and Orion has visits there to ensure his best health. He still has foot issues, although he is able to move around pretty well. Animal Caregiver Paula is pictured here giving him his "spa" treatments with topical medications for some secondary surface issues. His eyes were closed most of time in relaxation and trust.

Every rescue at the Sanctuary deserves our loving care and compassion.

Orion is someone, not something.

We hope gregarious Orion quickly regains full use of his toes!

(This is the start of a new communication to our followers "Each Life Matters". You will see this monthly special focus each month!)

Dudleyfest Happiness

Dudley's 11th Birthday Party Festival Saturday June 13 was a sold-out, sunny, summer day!

Thank you everyone who helps make the day a success. It is primarily a fun benefit to the public, although it also serves as our primary spring fundraiser by selling car-tickets for parking. Attendance is always free to walk-in folks. Thank you to the Event Chair Board Member Amy Lavigne, the entire Unity staff team (seen pictured), every helpful volunteer, all the wonderful vendors, and all our guests. Save the date for Dudleyfest 2027 on June 12th.

Now Enrolling LEAP 2026-2027

Now Enrolling! We are excited to offer our LEAP Kids (Middle School) and LEAP Changemakers (High School) for 2026-2027. Our fourth LEAP year! The LEAP (High School) program will run from September-May. Classes and workshops will be on Saturdays 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Plant-based lunch is included. Our Humane Education programs are free to participants.

Unity Farm Sanctuary will offer both a fall and spring semester of the LEAP Kids (middle school) program for 6th - 8th graders. Semester I will run from September - November, and Semester II will run from April to June. Classes and workshops will be held on Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:30 PM

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Click on the buttons below to find out more - and be sure to tell other folks who will be interested!

Sanctuary Forest School Summer and Fall

Preschool Summer and Fall still have a very limited number of spots! First summer session is full but a few spots are possible in the second, third and fourth summer 2-week sessions of the preschool! In the fall, we can enroll up to two more students. For more information, please visit the School website and reach out to Lead Teacher Megan Scully.

Art with the Animals for Summer

Art with the Animals starts up with Esmeralda the Hen! Best hairdo award for this tiny Polish hen. Welcome back artist Cindy Prevett for this on July 25th 10-12 and the next class August 15th 10-12 for Tom the Silky Goat, also winning a best hairdo award. Class is acrylics on canvas and all supplies are provided. A very brief tour of the rescue animals subject area included.

All skill levels welcome!

Unity Duck Haven Store

Everyone loves a great sale!

Catch this UFS sale running until the end of July! Tanks are $5, select short sleeves designs are $10, and select long sleeves designs are $15.

2026 Dudleyfest Shirts are $15, and super cute Highland scent diffusers are $14.

Don't wait, quantities and sizes are limited.

https://www.unityfarmsanctuary.org/shop

Onsite Unity Duck Haven Store will be Open some of the Saturdays in July, especially during tours, email or call to find out when!

You can order for shipping to your preferred location on most items, or use easy porch pickup.

Nirvana Tea House and Cafe

Nirvana Tea House and Cafe has the summer favorite 'Anything is Possible Burger' handmade with a focus on chickpeas and veggies and all the Nirvana spices, in an 'umami' flavor-packed experience! House-made pickles, lettuce and tomatoes are a must for this 'burger'. Presented on a fresh bun, with GF options too, the 'Anything is Possible Burger' has a side of fresh cafe-made potato salad (or our house dressed greens) to tempt you!

If you like Matcha Lattes (hot or iced) you can try one with some new passionfruit syrup!

Everyone who tries it raves about the GF Chocolate Devotion Cheesecake!

Katherine Head's 'Buddha Treats' are selling well too, so stock up on your favorite flavors.

Did you know that we also always stock a limited number of Rebel Cheese options to purchase for home enjoyment? We do indeed!

Do you want to help the CafeTEAm, Nirvana's success, AND help the Sanctuary keep costs down at the Cafe? Just a reminder that Nirvana is owned by a non-profit now, and we took everyone's sage advice to move to standard tipping policies when we opened. Why make that change, you might ask? Because we want to attract and retain the very best servers we can and improve your dining experience. The fixed and non-tipped "living wage" of $17/hour for servers in the past was not the way to retain the best folks. You can help the Cafe, all the servers and the Sanctuary by remembering at checkout that the Cafe and the Sanctuary rely on tipping at Nirvana to reward service that you have appreciated, so that the TEAm can earn a true living wage. Thank you!

Closed July 4 and 5 (plan ahead for your favorite items on July 3)

T-F 8-4, Sa-Su 8-3 (Main kitchen closes 30 minutes before closing time)

969 Main St, Millis MA (508) 376-2333

All cafe items are free of animal products