Our Mission
Mitten Misfits Farm Sanctuary provides a forever home to rescue farm animals. We form connections through education, community partnerships and outreach to further our mission and impact.
Our Vision
We open our doors for the community to discover our animals the way we see them, as sentiment beings who deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. Through education and outreach, our residents inspire visitors to open their hearts and see how animals can thrive when provided with proper nutrition, shelter, and love.
Your Impact
As a nonprofit, all of our donations go directly towards the care of our animals. Your involvement is the cornerstone of our impact. Volunteering to work with the animals or monetary donations towards supporting our mission allow us to save more lives.
Story of Mitten Misfits Farm Sanctuary
It all started...
It all started in the late 1980’s when Vick started fostering dogs. Vicks love for the dogs and gigantic heart wanting to help animals in need was very apparent to the community. It didn’t take long for requests to start coming in.
“Soon after the dogs, I was asked by a friend if I would take a donkey in need of a home. I met and fell in love with him and soon after taking him in found a friend in-need to join him. I always want two, never just one. Animals are social and need partners," Vick says.
Speaking of partners, Vick says this is her passion and not her husband Bob’s, so it's a good thing that he loves her! He has always supported her and been there every step of the way to help her dream come true.
The passion to rescue, the need, and the love remained that for many years while steadily growing. Then, in 2000, the farm was up to 18 animals, including donkeys, horses, pigs, and chickens.
Within the past year, Mitten Misfits Farm has been contacted by humane societies, animal control departments, people from the past or those that know Vick, along with handfuls of animal owners searching for a home for their beloved pets. Especially with respect to animal owners who have no choice but to find alternate care for their senior or at-risk animals, Vick has realized that "most are people who love their animals who can no longer care for them. What they love about Mitten Misfits is that their animals are here forever."
Future dreams...
With the rapid growth of the sanctuary and the realization that it could no longer be cared for by herself, Vick reached out to a couple of the horse clubs at MSU and was delighted to find like-minded people wanting to volunteer to help take care of the animals.
Volunteers from MSU Horse Club were the first to partner with Mitten Misfits in giving their time and love to help care for the animals. Today, Mitten Misfits has over 80 registered volunteers. “We never could have imagined this level of support, along with the bonding, comradery, and healing that the farm has brought to all. I get thanked daily by my volunteers, telling me how life changing and therapeutic working with the animals has been," Vick commented.
“The need was there and Mitten Misfits could help. We are OVER 100 animals and counting today."
Mitten Misfits' immediate dream is to build a new barn so that all of the animals on the senior animal waiting list can come home.
A new barn will provide a home to those who need us, along with providing more storage for hay & supplies, a meeting area/office/bathroom for volunteers, and an indoor working area for the animals to get the enrichment needed year-round. We also hope to have our pastures planted and trails groomed to be able to walk the animals on.
