Star Gazing Farm

Farmer Anne and the volunteers at Star Gazing Farm bring to life Albert Einstein’s belief that «If a man aspires to a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals.» They care for and comfort the unwanted and abused. Also, it’s a loving place to temporarily house your small animal pets while you’re away.

When I adopted Spot (the bunny) from the Humane Society on Gude Dr. 4 years ago, I never once thought about what would happen when both my husband and I were on vacation. After all, dog and cat owners have kennels and pet-​sitters — how hard can it be to find a bunny-​sitter, right?!? Yeah…
If you are looking for a new business opportunity, forget all those «work from home! Make $ 2K in a week» offers. Become a bunny-​sitter. It’s a huge untapped market. Even petsitters who are willing to take on «exotic pets» don’t always know of all the weird little quirks that bunnies have. It’s amazing how an animal that is so prolific have such a delicate system. Bunnies can’t get hot, or they will die. Bunnies can’t be frightened, or they will die. Bunnies can’t stop eating, or they will die. Bunnies can’t stop pooping, or they will die. It’s amazing the species is able to survive in the wild!
Fortunately, with some diligent websurfing, we found Star Gazing Farm up in Boyds, MD (it’s about 10 minutes past Germantown). Star Gazing Farm is a farm animal sanctuary, where unwanted and abused farm animals live out the rest of their days in bliss under the gentle and humorous care of Farmer Anne. Although mud and farms tend to freak me out (ew, just ew), I actually love coming to Star Gazing Farm, because of the animals — who knew that sheep and turkeys, and horses and goats all have personality?!? Who knew that they have a sense of humor too?
When Farmer Anne isn’t busy corralling escaping sheep and destructive Mr. Newman-​goats (Mr. Newman is an adorable goat that will open your car door with his horns and climb in… be sure to lock your car doors when you visit!), she runs a bunny-​motel. There is a dedicated room, in her house, that is a little bunny haven. It’s lined with cages, pens, and all sorts of bunny goodies, with two resident bunnies to welcome all newcomers.
I’m not going to lie — Spot disapproves of Star Gazing Farm. He disapproves of vacations. He disapproves of car rides. He disapproves of other bunnies. And most of all, he disapproves when his humans decide that they need a break from catering to his every whim and need. He’s a very disapproving bunny.
However, as a bunny owner — I LOVE taking Spot to Star Gazing Farm. I will admit the first time I dropped Spot off (for a long weekend) I must have called Farmer Anne 15 times in 2 days. Each time she was kind and calm and didn’t laugh at my neurosis. Now, when I drop Spot off, I don’t even worry. I know that she will take fantastic care of him — and do all of the grooming jobs that I’m too chicken-​hearted and weak to do myself (such as trimming his nails and cleaning out his glands).
And the best part of taking Spot to Star Gazing Farm? I know that the money I’m paying to Farmer Anne (only $ 12 per day), will go towards supporting these awesome and hilarious homeless farm animals!