Inspiring Kindness and Compassion towards Animals, Our Planet, and Each Other
Inspiring Kindness and Compassion towards Animals, Our Planet, and Each Other

Featured Video: Vegan Fat Kid and GoodBelly visit the Gentle Barn

Watch the video How to Hug Farm Animals! where @VeganFatKid shows us the best way to hug our rescued friends. GoodBelly is giving Gentle Barn the biggest hug of…

In the Barnyard: January 19, 2017

This week in California, Wally and Buttercup had acupuncture for the very first time and loved it! Both of them are struggling with old age and arthritis. Buttercup has a hernia and Wally is suspected of having cancer. Even though our veterinarians say there is nothing surgically we can do for them, we…

In the Barnyard: January 12, 2017

DUDLEY TURNS 3 THIS MONTH! Wow that went fast! Dudley was rescued 2 years ago with a missing foot and a broken heart. We brought him to University of Tennessee Knoxville Large Animal Hospital to have several necessary surgeries and get fitted for a prosthesis. He has overcome so much and…

Changing Perspective

In the Chinese zodiac, 2017 is the year of the rooster. So, I thought I would tell some stories about chickens this month. Over the years, we have had many chickens who have clucked their way into our hearts forever. There are so many stereotypes about chickens, but getting to know them over the last eighteen years has allowed me an insight…

Gentle Barn Concerns About Global Warming

Everyone is talking about global warming now a days. Some people are very concerned, some don’t want to know, and some don’t believe it even exists. The seasons seem to be changing and getting hotter in the summer and colder in the winter. Drought seems to be a household word, especially on the West coast. Even on The East coast people are talking about how there is just not enough rain. I don’t…

Introducing the Gentle 12 Program

Since we started the Gentle 52 program in 2014, we have introduced you to over 150 natural product companies. Their shared core values are to support an eco-friendly, plant based and cruelty free lifestyle. After hearing feedback from you, we have decided to focus deeper into company’s product…

Our Founder was published in VegNews

Ellie Laks, Founder of The Gentle Barn, published an article on VegNew titled "The Ups and Downs of Running an Animal Sanctuary".

"Running The Gentle Barn isn’t always easy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

For 17 years, The Gentle Barn has been rescuing animals who are pregnant and who have suffered
unmentionable acts of cruelty. We bring sick animals home and watch as they…

Gentle Barn Concerns for Peace

A few years ago, we rescued many animals from a cruelty case. They were all terrified of people and it took us years till they stopped shaking when they saw us coming. The backyard butcher who had them would catch one in the…

In the Barnyard: January 6, 2017

This week we began construction on a new enclosure for the sheep, goats and llama to spend the night. There was a bobcat sighting in our neighborhood and we cannot take any chances with our babies. So we are making the area behind the barn taller and more secure. We will have a new roof to keep…

Stepping Into the Light of 2017

2016 has been an amazing year with many accomplishments. We have welcomed in many new animals who needed us, and we have said farewell to some of our elders. We continue to be successful at both the California and Tennessee locations, and we have hosted thousands of guests from all over the world. We have witnessed many positive changes in the world that bring us much hope, and sadly we see so much…

Latest Posts


Upcoming Events

  • Chakra Meditation and Sound Healing (Winter 2024)

    March 2nd 2024 - The Gentle Barn California

    Clear, Balance and Align your 7 main Chakras through guided meditation, chanting, and Integrative sound bath. When your chakras are aligned, the energy moves through you more freely, and you can feel in harmony with all aspects of your physical, emotional and spiritual self.

  • Thermal Horizon - Windsong Retreat (Spring 2024)

    May 4th 2024 - The Gentle Barn California

    Let’s come together as a community as we support The Gentle Barn in their endeavor to enrich the lives of abused animals worldwide. Let’s bring our loving hearts, the spirit of opportunity and fill our cups emotionally, spiritually, and physically as we celebrate unity in community by helping these wonderful support animals.

  • Open Sunday in Missouri

    We are excited to be open to the public again on Sunday, at The Gentle Barn: Missouri.

  • Open Sunday in California

    We are excited to be open to the public again on Sunday, at The Gentle Barn: California.

  • Open Sunday in Tennessee

    We are excited to be open to the public again on Sunday, at The Gentle Barn: Tennessee.