Rooterville Animal Sanctuary: Making Headlines in Local News!

Admin • February 28, 2024

We're thrilled to announce that Rooterville Animal Sanctuary has been making headlines for our ongoing efforts to provide a safe and loving home for rescued farm animals. Here are some of the highlights featured in the local news.

We were honored to be chosen as News4Jax Positively Jax February Award Winner! Each month, News 4 Jax and their partners award a community member for their positive impact. Our founder, Elaine West, and Rooterville Animal Sanctuary were awarded this month for their dedication to change and a positive impact

Positively JAX: Rooting out peace, passion -- and pigs -- at local animal sanctuary

"Melrose, Fla.– There’s not much around Rooterville Animal Sanctuary. It’s about an hour away from downtown Jacksonville in Melrose, Florida. But when you get here, you’re surrounded by the 3 Ps: Peace, passion-- and pigs.

More than 70 pigs roam pretty freely around the sanctuary. One pig in particular inspired Elaine West to create the haven. She met her at a local humane society.

“I went in the back. And sure enough, they had a little potbellied pig. And she rolled over soon as I started talking to her for a belly rub,” said West.

West said she took that pig home that day.

“We got her spayed, got her a new home, and then it all started from there,” said West. West realized people desert pigs more often than you might think. “Most people love them when they’re teeny little babies,” said West."

WBCJBTV 20 out of Gainesville recently visited the Sanctuary. We were thrilled with their story of our new experience at the farm- cow cuddling! Tinsel and Jett were the stars of the show! Have you scheduled your cow cuddle yet?

New Trend: Cow-Cuddling

Cow cuddling is a new TikTok trend and you can get the full experience right here in Alachua County.

"Elaine West, the owner of Rooterview Animal Sanctuary tells TV20; “When you come and do a cow cuddle you get to spend as much time at the sanctuary with the other animals as you like. Wealso have goats, pigs, chickens, peacocks, turkeys.”

Reservations are required and there is a small fee to interact with these special bovine but proceeds go to fund their rescue and rehabilitation work. Food to keep the cows fed is over $100 a day so proceeds from the experiences also go towards that.

“First of all they smile from ear to ear, and usually they are giggling and laughing. So there’s a good therapeutic benefit to pet a large animal like that and to cuddle with them. People get out of it what they want I think too it just brings them joy to come spend time with these guys.”; West.

From the viral trend to a heartwarming reality, it’s a small price to pay to see these animals get a second chance at life and for you to possibly discover a new best friend you never knew you needed."

Amoozing experience: Rooterville Animal Sanctuary in Melrose offering 'Cow Cuddling' sessions

- The Gainesville Sun

"If you've every wanted to cuddle with a cow, now's your chance. Rooterville Animal Sanctuary, a nonprofit in Melrose dedicated to providing a home for rescued farm animals, announced Monday that it is now offering "Cow Cuddling" sessions. The new experience at Rooterville, 1208 County Road 315, will give visitors an up-close and educational encounter with the rescue's cows, including its newest addition, Jett, a baby highland cow."

From all of us at Rooterville Animal Sanctuary, we want to express our deepest gratitude for being part of our journey. Together, we're making a difference in the lives of animals, one act of love at a time.

With heartfelt gratitude, Rooterville Animal Sanctuary

The Pink Pigs Boutique

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