Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Imagine an idyllic forever retreat for former farm animals, pets, racehorses, research and circus animals pastoral sanctuary where animals can put their former and live out their days without a care in the world Picture a place where the focus is the needs of the animals themselves from the medical to the whimsical (see a contented pig being fed some delicious strawberries in our post below) A place that allows its lucky residents to decide where and with whom (animal or human) to spend their time. it is tucked away in the German countryside on the Butjadingen Peninsula that juts out into the North Sea A former dairy farm that is now an animal sanctuary for cattle Its founders want the beloved animals they welcome to forget about their often-difficult pasts, as they bask in their tranquil surroundings. As they explain on their Facebook page: “We rescue and provide lifelong care for animals that have been saved… from neglect and exploitation.” For these lucky creatures “Hof Butenland is their lifetime home now.” The New York Times expresses Hof Butenland’s outlook beautifully in its title to a piece about the farm and its mission: “On this German farm complete with its red brick barns built back in 1841 He pioneered the introduction of organic farming practices in the area in the 1980s But he soon tired of the harsh side of dairy farming. Things like the sound of calves crying out for their mothers after being forcibly separated from them. Gerdes decided, instead, to treat the animals in a more egalitarian way. The sanctuary even has an English flyer titled “The New Cowlture: Because animals aren’t machines.” The newspaper points out that even in Germany a country of traditionally keen meat eaters there is a growing interest in vegan products This stems from concerns about how livestock are kept and the role of industrial farming in greenhouse gas production Today, the pair work to ensure that their animal “residents” can expect a life of “peace and dignity, with respect and appreciation, which revolves only around them.” They explain on their Facebook page and website that these animals live more freely “so that everyone can move around the farm and the large pastures as self-determined as possible.” The couple do host tours for small groups of supporters of their nonprofit But explaining why they don’t encourage throngs of visitors they highlight the [understandable] wariness of some of their animals about contact with humans Take bubbly “Puschek”, for instance he still recoils from anyone approaching him holding an object because he was once mistreated it is important to its founders that this sanctuary is no goldfish bowl with animals displayed as if they’re in a zoo As they put it: “We are not exhibiting animals here but want to offer them as perfect and carefree a life as possible." Viewing the photos of this pastoral setting and scrolling through Hof Butenland’s frequent social media posts showing their animals frolicking in the grass YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:Meet the Australian Identical Twins Teaming up to Save Birds Kenya is Launching its First Wildlife Inventory Giving Retired Racehorses a New Chance at Life Thank you for signing up.Expect to hear from us very soon The Oldenburg licensed breeding stallion Inselfurst has passed away at age 27 The grey stallion stood his entire life at stud at his breeder Hergen Schweers' station in Butjadingen Inselfurst was by Inschallah AA out of legendary dam Wega (by Futuro x Chronos) The 1986 born stallion was a long time record holder of the Stallion Performance Test Under Hiltrud Moormann the stallion was trained up to S-level Inselfurst was never super popular with the breeders but ended up producing several highly interesting offspring including the Austrian licensed stallion Impuls (by Inselfurst x Gotterfunke) and the U.S based son Ironman (by Inselfurst x Wienerwald) Inselfurst contributed his genetics to 2009 Oldenburg Licensing Champion Fairbanks (by Flemmingh x Inselfurst) 2012 European Pony Championship bronze medalist Paso Double (by Bodo x Inselfurst) Katrin Bettenworth's Grand Prix horse Die Insel (by Diamond Hit x Inselfurst) Ida Kristoffersson's former Swedish licensed stallion and young rider's horse Rolex TP (by Ron William x Inselfurst) Isabell Werth's Bundeschampionate mount For Joy (by Fidermark x Inselfurst) and Barbora Maresova's junior rider's horse Remember Me H (by Rubinstein x Inselfurst) which was bred by German Grand Prix rider Martina Hannover-Sternberg Stalls for Rent at Durondeau Dressage in Peer, Belgium Exceptionally Well Located Equestrian Facility in Wellington, Florida Well-built Equestrian Estate With Multiple Business Opportunities in Sweden Stable Units for Rent at Lotje Schoots' Equestrian Center in Houten (NED) For Rent: Several Apartments and Stable Wing at High-End Equestrian Facility Stable Wing Available at Reiterhof Wensing on Dutch/German border Real Estate: Well-Appointed Country House with Extensive Equestrian Facility in the U.K. Rémi Blot