Helping animals, the hens-on way

Springfield, VT is a long way from the ocean but is now the home of the Eastern Coast Sanctuary. This animal welfare organization, formerly based in Maryland, specializes in aiding poultry farm escapees.

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Helping Animals, the Hands-On Way

Posted on 25. Mar, 2010 by Jasmin

So you’re sick of people. Or, okay, maybe you’re not sick of people, but you have this insatiable yearning to frolic with farm animals. Or, okay, maybe it’s not an insatiable yearning, but you find no greater pleasure or meaning than you do when you work with animals hands-on. Maybe you’re a vet tech who particularly loves caring for chickens. Or maybe you’ve interned for (or were/are employed by) an animal sanctuary, working directly with those adorable non-humans. Or maybe you have rescued a few farm animals yourself, and provided sanctuary to them.

I took this photo (and the one on the top of this page) when I visited the Eastern Shore Sanctuary back when it was still in Maryland.

If you have experience working with farm animals, and you’re looking for a change of pace, then have I got an opportunity for you! The totally awe-inspiring Eastern Shore Sanctuary in the new location of Springfield, Vermont is building a house on their property, with the hope that a full-time vegan animal care-giver will occupy it beginning Sept. 1.

Could that person be you? Here is what they are looking for:

The Eastern Shore Sanctuary and Education Center, in existence for over 10 years and recently relocated to Springfield, Vermont, is seeking a full-time vegan animal caregiver with experience working with farm animals (ideally, chickens and cows, although we can provide training to fill in some gaps). Other abilities, such as mechanical and/or construction ability, are desirable, but not required.

This will be a live-in position, with a custom-built wood home on the property for him or her to occupy free of charge. We will also provide a competitive salary.

Those persons who are interested and have companion animals of whatever species (including human) can almost certainly bring them with, as long as we know ahead of time and the logistics work for everyone.

This position starts September 1, 2010.

If you are interested, or know someone who might be interested, please email Miriam at sanctuary@bravebirds.org.

Now, I feel I should also add …

If you have a romanticized vision of what it means to work with farm animals; if you think that you’ll get to cuddle with a particularly friendly hen for hours at a time; if you’re only interested in this position because Vermont sounds so rustic; then you should absolutely visit a farm animal sanctuary — but let me save you the trouble of applying for this job. Working with farm animals is hard and unceasing and definitely not for everyone.

But if it is for you — and chances are, if it is, you’re getting tingly all over right now and starting to wonder what shade of orange the trees in New England will be by September — then contact Miriam today. Today as in, right now.

Everyone else, please help spread the word about this awesome opportunity. Share this blog entry with people you know who work with farm animals. Put it on your Facebook page. Maybe even make it your status update. If you have a vegan blog, repost it.

Okay, start squawking!

This photo, taken by Connie Pugh and courtesy of Farm Sanctuary, was taken last year. The beautiful hen in the photo is Camila, who bares a striking resemblance to my chicken tattoo!