CHELSEA, Mich. – A farm in Washtenaw County in Michigan called Barn Sanctuary has one mission: provide a safe haven for animals in need.

Barn Sanctuary in Chelsea is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and providing lifelong care for neglected and abused farm animals. The farm provides a safe, loving environment for these animals and has done so since its inception 10 years ago.

“We do everything that farming is except taking the animals to the market,” said Dan McKernan, president and founder of Barn Sanctuary.

The McKernan family farm goes back nearly 150 years, but when new developments started popping up in their area, the family opted to do something different on their property. McKernan, who was working in the technology field in Texas at the time, overheard talk about another sanctuary and brought the idea to his father.

Dan started the operation with his father, Tom, in 2016. In August of that year, the McKernans welcomed their first rescue, Cora. That cow was bound for the market because she could no longer produce milk.

“It was a heartbreaking situation, but we were able to give her a second chance at life,” Dan said.

By the end of 2017, there were 30 rescued animals on the farm.

To this day, Barn Sanctuary is home to more than 140 rescued animals and all are given names. The sheep include Ginger, Jill, Jim, Maggie and Ruth, two of which have prosthetics. There are two ducks, Lori and Thor. The farm is home to 20 pot-bellied pigs, cows, ducks, cats, donkeys, sheep, turkeys and chickens.

“Some of our animals were neglected, starved, deformed or came from hoarding situations,” said farm executive director Lori Kitchen-Buschel. “And some are rescued from the food system. Two pigs we have were spotted at the bottom of a slaughter truck and the driver of the truck didn’t realize they were not dropped off at the slaughterhouse. The driver then called us and we retrieved them and took care of them.

“Hopper, our big cow, had a calf that was attacked by dogs to a point where the calf’s ears were deformed. A second cow came to us with some abnormalities. Both have been with us a long time.

“We also had donkeys that were part of a farm in Michigan and the owners got too old to take care of them. Donkeys live for a long time and they were in need of a home, so we took them. It runs the gamut and we take in animals for many different reasons. Our goal is to let them live out their natural lives until it’s their time.”

The farm was named Barn Sanctuary, inspired by the large, century-old barn that once stood on the property.

“After watching documentaries like Cowspiracy, I became a vegan and knew that I needed to do more,” Dan said. “When my father called me about our family’s rundown farm, I saw an opportunity to turn it into a sanctuary for farmed animals.”

Barn Sanctuary quickly gained a following as a place of compassion for farmed animals, and today is a destination and education center for people from all over the country.

“Rescued animals are rehabilitated and nursed back to health,” Kitchen-Buschel said. “We give each animal in our care the highest possible quality of life with top-notch medical care and enriched, clean and safe living environments. We work with other sanctuaries to rescue and re-home animals when we can’t take them in ourselves. We show farm animals in a new light, highlighting their individuality by sharing their unique stories.”

Barn Sanctuary is almost always at or near full capacity, and that’s by design, she said. Every animal receives individualized attention, medical support, safe housing and a lifelong home.

“We are 100 percent donor-supported,” Kitchen-Buschel said. “We receive donations from individuals from all across the country. Some sponsor our residents. The generosity of people is incredible. We’re not a wildlife rescue. We try to stick to farmed animals and once a resident, they’re a resident the rest of their lives.”

The sanctuary accepts donations, volunteers, allows for sponsorship of animals, accepts vehicle donations and more. Online supporters can purchase products for the farm via an Amazon Wish List, Tractor Supply Wish List or a Chewy Wish List.

Barn Sanctuary is included among a list of animal sanctuaries worldwide approved by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. There are just a few such certified sanctuaries in the Midwest; Barn Sanctuary is the only one in Michigan.

Public tours generally run from May through October on select Saturdays, and they last about two yours. Private tours can be arranged year-round with group tours and field trips also available. The sanctuary is closed outside designated tour times and special events.

Barn Sanctuary is at 20179 McKernan Drive in Chelsea, Mich. For more information, call 734-270-6845.