Who We Are
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Winter Hours and Visiting Information
We are CLOSED for FARM VISITS ONLY January 21 through March 31 unless the temps will be above 50 degrees. If the weather is nice, come on out unless a cold spell is coming, then we'll need to devote our time to the animals.
Only farm visits will be affected, cuddles can be rescheduled if you prefer. NO WALK IN visits on cold days unless you are traveling and it is your only chance to visit! We have a small staff and need more time to make sure the animals stay warm and comfy in the cold. We'll look forward to your visits again when the weather gets milder! Thank you for understanding!
Experiences & Visits booked in advance can be rescheduled at your discretion if it is too cold.
CUDDLES NOTE: We have opened part of the pigs' barn for the cows and installed heaters so that we can offer cow cuddles in all weather! We are constantly improving our facility and experiences to make your time with us amazing!
Thank you for your understanding and support! We look forward to welcoming our visitors when the weather is milder.
Experience an Amazing Farm Animal Sanctuary
There are no words to describe the joy that a visit to Rooterville Animal Sanctuary brings! Our amazing animals are friends who are treated with kindness and respect and they reflect that love back toward you. We love sharing them and their beautiful home with you! Seeing your face and reaction as you interact with our friendly animal ambassadors is priceless! Visit us in Melrose, FL today to experience the joy we're creating at our family farm!
You're welcome to bring snacks for the animals or buy them here. The best snacks are baby carrots, sliced apples, grapes, strawberries, blueberries... anything you can hand feed easily.
HOURS:
Walk in Guests-Visits:
Fri - Sun: 10AM till 2PM
if the temp is above 50 degrees
Experiences:
Thur-Sun 10AM - 6PM
other days/times by appointment
Overnight Stays: Always Open!
Community Service Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Please just come when you can & we will find things to keep you busy.
Appointments not needed for volunteers and community service. We can't wait to have your help!
EXPERIENCES:
(NOT included with visit)
Cow cuddling: 30 or 45 min
Highland Cow Cuddles: 30 or 45min
Private Visit: 2 hours
Regular Visits: as long as you like!
Visit the animals as long as you like before or after your experience, no need to purchase tickets for a farm visit AND a cuddle session.
PARTIES & GROUPS:
Parties & Get Togethers: 2 hours w/ animal visits
Pignics: 1-2 hours ,(BYO basket & bottle)
FIELD TRIPS & TOUR BUS VISITS welcomeD! Your group will have a great time at rooterville
Rent our Venue for YOUR event! Let us help you make it special and memorable.
Fire Pits Available!
OVERNIGHT STAYS:
AWARD WINNING Rentals: Two
Covered Wagons with King beds
+ room for 2 cots.
Farmhouse sleeps up to 6 guests
RV spaces with or w/o hookups-
up to 6 guests per spot
Tent camping: BYO tent up to 6 guests
AIRBnB "Superhost"
Trip Advisor
"Traveler's choice" award WINNER!
WE Offer the BEST Cow Cuddling Experience
on the Planet!
Experience delightful cow cuddles with our adorable cows! Relish Jett's cuddly company during a cozy Highland cow cuddle—you'll find it hard to resist our charming cows!
Our Animal Sanctuary Is CONVENIENTLY Located on a PAVED ROAD
Between Gainesville & Jacksonville, Florida
We offer many different AMAZING animal experiences, parties, field trips, events, weddings, engagement/proposal events, covered wagon glamping, RV camping, tent camping, pignics, date nights and anything you can dream up, we'll find a way to help you make it happen!
Our animals are the BEST! There is nothing like a Rooterville Experience!
🎉🐾 Celebrate With the Animals at Rooterville! 🐾🎉
🎂 Birthdays, Bachelorette Parties, or Any Special Occasion! 🎈
Make unforgettable memories surrounded by our happy farm friends!
🐄Book your paw-some celebration today! 🎊
See Our Full Selection of Gifts and Jewelry in our Online Store, The Pink Pigs, here
ALL proceeds help the animals get the love and care they need, thank you for shopping with us!
What Visitors Have to Say:
"My absolutely favorite place in this world. I loved the former location and the new location is wonderful as well. A little slice of heaven with amazing staff that truly care for the animals of the sanctuary. Visiting this place will never ever get old!"
★★★★★
— Kirsty Martin
"Love love love this place. The animals and grounds are so well loved and cared for. So many sweet and loving animals, from baby guineas to mini horses and even cats that snuggle with turkeys. You can even pick up native plants."
★★★★★
— Double D Golf Carts
"This was a really cute place to take the kids. Had a trolley ride around the farm. Gift shop. They're starting a camp ground with really nice covered wagons to rent. Playground for the kids. Had a nice visit!"
★★★★★
— Mark Pearson
Where Animals Are Friends and They All Live Happily Ever After!
See What Our Sanctuary-Style Animal Shelter in Melrose, FL Is All About! There is something for EVERYONE!
Rooterville Animal Sanctuary in quaint Melrose, FL is more than just a great, loving home for animals in need; it's an oasis of fun, education, peace and healing for our visitors.
A visit to Rooterville is fun for the whole family. At our small farm, you'll get the chance to cuddle, pet, feed, and take pictures with our friendly farm animals. After just a few minutes, you'll fall in love with the animals just like we did!
Contact us today to learn more about:
- Community service opportunities
- Field trips
- Private visits
- Educational Programs tailored to your needs
- Honey Bees, Pollinators, U-Pick Flowers, Fruits & Berries
- Parties, Weddings, Events
- RV spot availability
- Tent camping
- Cow Cuddle sessions
- Shopping in our Gift Shop
- Stunning Butterfly Gardens & Plants for sale
Help Us Help Animals and Share Them with Others To Encourage Kindness Through One-on-One Interactions
Rooterville is small FAMILY FARM that specializes in sharing farm animals with visitors of all ages!
Come Stay With Us in our award winning covered wagons! We are an
AIRBnB Superhost
& won Trip advisor's
prestigious Traveler's choice award!
Enjoy a one of a kind vacation experience in peaceful, secluded Melrose, FL-Paved Road Access!
Wagon Rentals
Whether you're a couple or friends looking to get away from the city life and unwind, a weekend on our beautiful sanctuary for farm animals might be exactly what you need. Enjoy a getaway for two in our unique, LUXURY covered wagons at Rooterville Animal Sanctuary.
Farmhouse
Welcome to paradise! 20 gorgeous, peaceful acres with lots of happy, friendly farm animals for you to get to know. It will be an experience you will treasure for a lifetime. Leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind and soak in the peace, tranquility and beauty of Rooterville Animal Sanctuary in your private, furnished 2 bedroom, 2 full bath home. Short term monthly r
Tent Camping
Going off the beaten path is part of the joy of RV and tent camping. If you're looking for somewhere new and unique to set up camp with the convenience and safety of paved road access, check out Rooterville Animal Sanctuary in Melrose, FL! We have a tent and RV campground located right here on our beautiful property that is home to over 100 rescued animals.
RV Camping
Bring your RV and enjoy staying with the animals in our magnificent home with beautiful landscaping and views easily accessed from a paved road. Stay a night or for the winter! We love snowbirds & you'll love it here in such a beautiful, tranquil and private space. We can't wait to meet you!
Help us Feed the Animals & Get Great Stuff Too, Simply
Shop at the Pink Pigs!
Our History
Rooterville Animal Sanctuary was founded by Elaine West in 2004 in order to care for the many unwanted, abandoned and abused pot-bellied pigs around north FL. Unfortunately, most animal shelters and Humane Societies will not take in unwanted pet pigs, so many of these former pets end up meeting a gruesome fate simply because no one is there to help.
Everything changed for Rooterville when Stella was accepted into our herd. Stella was a breeding sow on a factory farm. She lived her life in cages not much bigger than her body. She fell from a transport truck on the way to slaughter. No one would help Stella but us.
Stella was amazing, gentle and sweet. She was an absolute delight. Because she smashed all of the stereotypes, I had to let others meet her to see what a pig is really like. We opened our gates to the public so folks like you could see that farm animals are no different than our pet dogs and cats and they deserve to be treated with kindness and mercy.
Since our humble beginnings, our family farm has grown from just five acres to over 20 acres. We've provided care and a permanent home to over 1000 rescued farm animals of all types, spayed and neutered hundreds and helped people keep their pet pigs in their homes.
Currently, we are home to about 100 rescued animals of all kinds, primarily pigs.
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