This Wisconsin Animal Sanctuary Lets You Cuddle Rescued Cows And Pigs For A Gentle Fall Escape
A rescued cow might decide you’re worth a nuzzle, but the choice is entirely hers. That’s the rule at this farm sanctuary, where more than 140 rescued animals call the shots.
The residents include cows, farm pigs, potbelly pigs, goats, sheep, mini donkeys, and even a curious mini mule. Every one of them was rescued and given a permanent home, so nobody here is headed to market.
I appreciate that this little corner of Wisconsin treats visits like a privilege, not a theme park. You need to book ahead, sign a waiver, and leave your dog at home for the day.
And if a curious cow decides to wander over for a little attention, that unexpected moment might just become your favorite memory of the day.
The Animals Here Get The Final Say On Every Snuggle
Forget petting zoos where animals get passed around like party favors. At Tiny Hooves Sanctuary, also listed as Tiny Hooves Animal Sanctuary, the residents decide who earns their attention.
Staff are clear that any interaction is entirely up to the animals. You’re welcome to bond with them, but a cow can simply stroll away if she’s not feeling social. That might sound like a letdown at first. Honestly, it makes every friendly moment feel more earned and a lot more real.
The sanctuary cares for more than 140 rescued farmed animals. That count includes cows, horses, mini horses, mini donkeys, goats, sheep, farm pigs, and potbelly pigs.
Birds get their spot too, with chickens, ducks, geese, a turkey, peafowl, and pigeons on the roster. It’s a full barnyard, minus anyone being raised for food. The focus stays on traditionally farmed animals. Cats, dogs, and wildlife generally aren’t part of the mix here.
So go in with patience and a soft voice. If a goat chooses to lean against your leg, you’ll know it actually meant something. Wisconsin has plenty of farms to visit. Few of them let the animals run the guest list quite like this.
Pig Fans, Your Two Favorite Sizes Are Both Here
Big pig or little pig? Luckily, nobody forces you to pick one at this sanctuary. Tiny Hooves Sanctuary is home to both farm pigs and potbelly pigs. The size difference alone is worth a double take.
Farm pigs are the heavyweights of the group. Potbelly pigs are the compact models, built low to the ground with plenty of personality packed in.
During past self-guided tours, educational stations gave visitors a chance to meet both types. Staff and volunteers stood nearby to answer questions about how these animals live and what they need.
Pigs are famously smart, and that’s not just a cute rumor. Spending time near them is a great way to see that intelligence up close.
A few friendly tips help a lot here. Move slowly, keep your hands calm, and let the pig make the first move. Kids especially tend to learn a lot from watching pigs root around and react to people. It’s a science lesson that happens to snort.
Bring your questions, because the volunteers clearly know these residents well. You’ll likely leave seeing pigs a little differently than when you arrived.
Cows Turn Out To Be Surprisingly Easy Company
Cows are huge, and that’s the first thing everyone notices. The second thing is how calm and curious many of them can be around quiet visitors.
The cow residents at Tiny Hooves Sanctuary each arrived from a situation that wasn’t working out. Now they have a lifelong home with room to graze and people who know their habits.
Cows were among the animals featured at educational stations during the sanctuary’s 2025 self-guided tours. That gave guests a chance to stand near these big animals and learn about them.
Here’s a smart move for first-timers. Stay at the animal’s side instead of right in front, and keep your movements slow. If a cow does wander over, enjoy it without grabbing or crowding. A steady hand on the neck or shoulder usually beats a sudden hug.
Remember, the cows decide how close things get. That rule keeps them comfortable and keeps visits safe for everyone. There’s a real sense of calm in sharing space with an animal that size. For a lot of people, that quiet minute becomes the best part of the day in rural Wisconsin.
Book A Weekend Tour Before The October Window Closes
Spontaneous drop-ins don’t fly here. The sanctuary isn’t generally open to the public, so tours are your main ticket in. Educational tours are offered on selected weekends during the warmer months. Fall brings cooler air and some of the season’s final opportunities to visit.
Look for the Connection and Compassion Series and the Fence-Side Friendship Series with Cassandra. Both names hint at the same idea. These visits are about slowing down and actually getting to know the residents.
Staff and volunteers stay on hand to answer questions throughout. Ask about where an animal came from, and you’ll get a real story instead of a script.
Spots fill fast because space is limited, with past tours capped around 40 guests per date. Advance registration is required, so don’t wait until the last weekend. Plan to sign a waiver before you head onto the property. It’s quick, and it’s a must for everyone.
A fall weekend tour makes an easy, low-key outing. It’s especially nice for families who’d rather pet a sheep than battle a crowded corn maze.
Pumpkin Palooza Might Be The Cutest Way To Celebrate Fall
Pumpkins and pigs belong together, and this sanctuary seems to agree. Pumpkin Palooza is one of the special events Tiny Hooves Sanctuary hosts. The name alone tells you what season it celebrates. It’s the sanctuary’s way of leaning into autumn with a little extra fun.
Families have called it a great outing for kids. That makes sense, since few things beat seeing rescued farm animals during the coziest time of year.
This year’s Pumpkin Palooza takes place on October 24, 2026, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Expect pumpkin activities, animal encounters, vendors, and plenty of fall fun.
As with any visit, registration and a waiver will likely be part of the process. Showing up unannounced isn’t how things work here.
Dress for Wisconsin fall weather, which can swing from sunny to chilly fast. Layers and sturdy shoes are your best friends on a working farm.
If you only make one trip a year, this could be the one. It pairs the season’s best mood with a cause that actually matters. Leave room in your camera roll. Pumpkin season plus barnyard residents is a combination that’s hard to stop photographing.
Eleven Animals Became More Than 140 In About A Decade
Back in 2015, it all started with 11 animals. Beca Thompson founded Tiny Hooves Sanctuary on a 3-acre farm in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Three acres fills up fast when you keep saying yes to animals in need. By December 2018, the sanctuary moved to a much roomier home.
The current farm covers 33 acres in Union Grove. That’s 11 times the space of the original property, which feels fitting somehow. A 30-stall barn gives the residents shelter. There’s also a 12-acre hay field, where the sanctuary grows and harvests its own hay.
Growing your own feed is a big deal for a place this size. It shows how much planning goes into keeping so many animals fed all year.
Veterinary care comes through partners that include the University of Wisconsin Madison Vet School. That’s serious support for animals who often arrive with health needs.
The sanctuary runs as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It’s currently closed to all new animal intakes, though it continues to coordinate with law enforcement, shelters, and the Humane Society. From 11 animals to well over 100 is quite a glow-up. And every one of them still gets a name.
A Few Simple Logistics Make Your Visit Go Smoothly
Good news for anyone who hates hunting for parking. Visitors can park along the driveway or on the road outside the sanctuary gate. The address to plug into your map is 1117 N Britton Rd, Union Grove, WI 53182. It sits in the countryside of Racine County in southeastern Wisconsin.
Bathroom planning matters on a farm, so here’s the scoop. A porta-potty and a handwashing station are available during tours. That handwashing station will get plenty of love from you. Farm animals are wonderful, but they aren’t exactly known for clean hands of their own.
Wear shoes you won’t mind getting a little dusty or muddy. Closed-toe footwear is the smart choice around hooves of any size. Arrive with your registration confirmed and be ready to sign the waiver. Skipping either step means you won’t get past the gate.
Bring water and a jacket if the forecast looks iffy. Fall afternoons can cool off quickly out in the open country. Keep plans flexible and expect to stay a while. Once the animals start showing off their personalities, leaving on time gets tricky.
Leave The Dog, The Vape, And The Ham Sandwich At Home
Every great place has house rules, and these are refreshingly clear. Following them is part of respecting the residents. Companion animals aren’t allowed on the property. Your pup might love farm smells, but the residents’ safety and well-being come first.
Smoking and vaping are also off the table. With hay, barns, and animal lungs everywhere, that rule makes total sense. Here’s the one people sometimes forget. Only vegan snacks and drinks are allowed during visits, matching the sanctuary’s mission.
Tiny Hooves Sanctuary actively promotes a vegan lifestyle through education about compassionate farmed animal care. Packing a cheeseburger in a field full of cows would feel a little awkward anyway.
Easy swaps make this simple. Think fruit, crackers, trail mix with no dairy, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. None of these rules are meant to be a hassle. They help keep the animals calm, healthy, and comfortable around guests.
Follow them, and you’ll fit right in. The cows won’t say thank you, but the volunteers definitely will appreciate it.
Fall In Love, Then Find A Way To Come Back And Help
One visit rarely feels like enough. Thankfully, there are several ways to stay connected after your tour ends. Volunteer workdays let you roll up your sleeves and help with real farm tasks. It’s fresh air, exercise, and animal time all rolled into one.
Prefer stretching to shoveling? Yoga With Oksana brings a calmer kind of activity to the sanctuary. Music lovers should watch for the Summer Concert Series 2026. It’s another reason to put this place on your calendar beyond fall.
As a small nonprofit, the sanctuary relies on support from people who care. Donations help cover hay, vet visits, and the daily needs of well over 100 animals. Every option gives you a new way to see the residents. You might meet a pig on a tour and then help feed her months later.
Tiny Hooves Sanctuary proves that a gentle escape can also do some good. That’s a pretty rare combo for a weekend outing in Wisconsin. So check the next available visit or event and see who wanders over. The rest might just become a yearly habit.