How to Get Here:
Please click this link for directions: 1923 Highway 97, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S7 (sometimes the city on GPS is Sheffield or Hamilton L0R 1Z0)
Before You Visit
We're looking forward to welcoming you to Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary! Here are a few things to know before you arrive so you can make the most of your visit.
This isn't a petting zoo.
It's a farmed animal sanctuary.
Everything you'll experience has been designed around the comfort, dignity, and choice of the rescued animals who call HEEFS home. Some residents may happily seek out human interaction, while others may simply enjoy your company from a distance. Both are perfect.
Arrival
Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour. You'll travel down our beautiful one-kilometer driveway before arriving at the visitor parking area. You will see signs and pylons marking parking. Park, and head to the registration table/tent. Volunteers will help direct you if you need assistance.
Before entering the sanctuary, all guests will walk through a biosecurity shoe wash station to help protect the health of our residents. It's a simple shoe sole wash making sure the sanctuary is kept as safe as possible.
Please wear closed-toe flat shoes if possible. HEELS are not recommended. Flats are.
Tours begin promptly at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. To ensure everyone enjoys the full experience, we may not be able to accommodate late arrivals once the tour has started. You will be caught up to the current tour’s position, or put on the next tour if space and time permits.
What to Bring
Dress for the weather and wear comfortable clothing suitable for walking on a working farm. Over ½ of the tour is outdoors.
Most pathways are gravel or grass, and some areas may be wet or uneven depending on the season.
Closed-toe shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing.
An umbrella for shade and rain.
Sun protection and maybe bug spray.
A reusable water bottle
Your camera
During Your Visit
The Guided Sanctuary Experience lasts approximately 60–90 minutes.
After your tour, you're welcome to stay awhile, enjoy a snack or cold drink, browse the sanctuary store table of merchandise , or take part in our scavenger hunt and craft for the young—and the young at heart. We are open until 3pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there tours guided?
Because every resident has a story.
Our Sanctuary Guides help introduce you to the individuals who call HEEFS home, explain how sanctuary life works, and ensure every interaction is respectful for both guests and residents.
Why do some animals walk away?
Because they can.
At HEEFS, our residents always have a choice. We believe trust is earned, never expected, and giving animals the freedom to say "yes" or "no" is one of the most important parts of sanctuary life.
Can I bring treats for the residents?
Absolutely! Fresh, whole produce is always appreciated.
Resident favorites include apples, carrots, watermelons, pumpkins, squash, and other fresh fruits and vegetables. Produce donations are gratefully accepted and will be enjoyed by our residents over the coming days as part of their regular feeding routines. Visitors are asked not to feed the residents anything, unless you have been instructed to do so on the tour.
We also go through a surprising amount of paper towel and quality laundry detergent, which are always welcome and greatly appreciated.
Can I bring my dog?
For the safety and comfort of both our residents and your companion animal, pets are not permitted anywhere on the sanctuary property.
Please do not leave companion animals in your vehicle while you visit.
If you are visiting with a service dog, please contact us before your visit so we can plan a safe and comfortable experience for you, your service dog, and our residents.
Is the sanctuary accessible?
Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary is a working farm with gravel pathways, grass, and uneven terrain.
While many areas are accessible, some locations may not be suitable for wheelchairs or other mobility devices. If you have accessibility questions, please contact us before your visit—we'll do our best to help.
What happens if it rains?
Tours take place rain or shine.
However, severe weather, such as thunderstorms, may require us to cancel a tour for the safety of our guests, volunteers, and residents.
If a tour is cancelled, we'll happily help you reschedule for another available date.
Is the sanctuary smoke-free?
Yes.
Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary is a smoke-free, vape-free, and alcohol-free property. You can however smoke in your parked car.
Before You Leave
Thank you for spending part of your day with us.
Whether you came to visit, feed, or care for the residents, you've helped provide lifelong sanctuary for nearly 60 rescued farmed animals.
We hope you'll leave seeing farmed animals a little differently than when you arrived.
Thank you for helping us continue building the world Esther showed us—a world where kindness reaches farmed animals too.
