Sara Carney always loved animals. So much so that in 2018, while searching for a new home in Canton, Georgia, she found a trashed, harsh piece of land and set out to create a sanctuary.
After five years of building Hidden Acres Animal Sanctuary from the ground up and bringing in animals, Sara rescued Bucky the mule from a tragic past.
Bucky
After 29 years of severe abuse, Sara and her volunteers rescued Bucky about six months ago. His hooves were overgrown and digging into his legs. Lawson, a volunteer at Hidden Acres, recalls how he had never been treated by a farrier; a specialist trained in caring for equine hoof health.
Bucky won’t let Sara or any of the volunteers touch his leg because of trauma from his previous life. Instead, as volunteer Jen says, they have to get creative. Flies become a major problem when scratches or infections occur, Jen remarks. To keep them away, they make him sandwiches with peanut butter, applesauce, and apples.
Compassionate and patient care from volunteers has opened the door for Bucky to socialize with other animals and humans. Sara says, “He trusts all our volunteers that spend time and work with him.” Jen identifies both Bucky and Boris, a resident goat, as outsiders who are, to an extent, friends.
Hidden Acres rescues and adopts animals whose life would be better being cared for by a team of passionate volunteers. Sometimes their residents come from pet situations where the owner thought they needed an open space and friends of their own species. Some, like Bucky, come from abusive and neglectful situations.
Jennifer is a volunteer at Hidden Acres. While scratching the back of a resident pig, she remarks she had met Bucky right when she started volunteering. She says, “He’s gentle. I don’t want to say a gentle giant, but he’s super sweet.” Jennifer and her husband always bring Bucky carrots when they visit. She says that he took some time getting used to being around people. “He was a little shy”, she said. She remarked, “He’s just Bucky, you know?”
Jennifer scratching a pig’s back
In keeping with their mission, they instill love, healing, and hope in all of their residents. All the people working at Hidden Acres do so unpaid.
Angela, the Director of Therapy and Community Service at Hidden Acres, says she loves being at the sanctuary. She says, “There’s nothing that feels like work to me…You leave here and your heart is full even when there’s nothing going on.” She often sits with the pigs and reads a book or makes phone calls.
Hidden Acres’ big thing is therapy, says Angela. Sara has a background in special education and says she has always wanted to work with animals. Angela says that Sara used to teach special education, and that is where her heart is. They help kids, young adults, and adults.
Sara founded Hidden Acres in 2018 when she was searching for real estate in the Canton, Georgia area. She saw the potential of a junk-filled fixer-upper lot and got to work with the help of Lawson, who admits “95% of it was the ladies from the farm helping me”. Together they built a fence and began their journey of rescuing animals and serving the community.
The sanctuary holds events for seniors and people with special needs. While hosting a recent event, Sara guides a guest on how to approach Bucky. “Let him come to you,” She says, “You can put your hand out. Let him decide who he wants to say hello to.” The guests’ eyes light up as Sara provides them with carrots to feed Bucky.
One volunteer asks if Bucky enjoys peppermint. Sara says, “He loves peppermint.” She says he loves treats and points out that he’s good with whatever food they present to him.
People and groups everywhere are finding ways to support animal welfare. Counting Hidden Acres, there are at least 19 animal sanctuaries in Georgia, and hundreds across the country. They continue to exist because of donations from individuals.
Hidden Acres holds events like Adult and Family Happy Hour, where the tickets serve as donations for the sanctuary’s upkeep. Individuals also support the sanctuary by donating through their website.
Hidden Acres’ residents come from varying situations. A piglet named Pepper came from a factory farm. They found a pig named Simone roaming the streets of Atlanta, likely the victim of the fallacy that is the mini-pig industry, according to Angela. Boris the goat was discovered standing in the middle of a woman’s bed before his rescue.
The abuse that occurs in situations where equine animals are used for human entertainment or labor purposes is gaining awareness. News media has recently covered severe abuses in the horse racing industry and mule and donkey abuse in Greece.
The fact remains that in many states across the US, animal welfare laws are lenient at best. In Kentucky, it is illegal to report animal abuse to a veterinarian. In Georgia, there are no laws prohibiting animal possession after being convicted of animal abuse.
While Georgia still has a lack of legislation for animal welfare, small steps in the right direction are happening. One animal’s individual story can inspire others and raise awareness. Hidden Acres Animal Sanctuary is proof of that. As Bucky’s online profile states, “The progress we’ve made with our sweet Bucky Boy has given us an even greater sense of purpose knowing Bucky will live out the rest of his days thriving here.”
Hidden Acres hosts lots of community events like Goat Yoga, Happy Hour, and Animal Therapy. They also book private events.
Find a list of upcoming events at Hidden Acres here.
Update: As of this story’s publication, Bucky has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. See a farewell message here.