Visit the Barn
Upcoming Opportunities to Visit Barn Sanctuary
Plan Your Visit
All upcoming opportunities are listed below along with frequently asked questions to help you prepare for your visit. Keep in mind, we are only open to visitors during tours and for select celebrations so we recommend you plan your visit in advance.
Public Tours
Field Trips
We offer wonderful on-site field trips for all ages and grades. Students have the opportunity to meet our animal residents, hear their rescue stories, and learn about the incredible lives of farmed animals. Please email visit@barnsanctuary.org with questions or to schedule.
Virtual Tours
We offer Virtual Tours at special times of the year. Keep an eye on our upcoming events and join us from anywhere around the world to meet our animal residents!
Private Visitations
If you would like to visit Barn Sanctuary outside of the listed tour times and upcoming celebrations, you can arrange for a private visit.
Private Tour Requests
Private tours offer a much more intimate experience of the sanctuary than our weekend group tours. They give visitors more opportunities to engage with the animals 1-on-1 and ask questions. During the tour, we share individual animal stories, information about the species, and industry facts. Private tours are led by Tom McKernan, our co-founder, or a trained tour guide – either of whom are super knowledgeable and can answer any questions you might have during your visit. These make for a really special experience and are great gifts for friends and loved ones!
Because private tours require more time, preparation, and coordination from our team, booking private tours requires a larger donation. Donation amounts vary based on tour group size. If you have additional questions about a private tour, please email us at: visit@barnsanctuary.org
Sponsor Visits
People who have sponsored an animal for two or more years get to visit the sanctuary for free to meet their sponsored resident in person! To schedule, click the “Book A Private Tour” button in the bottom right.
FIND US
Visit Us:
20179 McKernan Rd. Chelsea, MI 48118
Call Us:
(734) 746-5009
Hours:
We are only open to visitors during tours and listed fundraisers and celebrations. All visits must be booked online in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to make a reservation to visit?
Yes. All visits must be during one of our tours, fundraisers or celebrations. Our team is busy at work running the sanctuary. We cannot accommodate drop in visitors.
What do the tours consist of?
You will be taken from species to species and enter the pastures and yards with some of the residents (we do not go in the living area of our cows or pigs – but you will get to see them!) During the tour, you will hear the residents’ stories, facts about each species, and information about their lives within our modern food systems. Questions are encouraged!
Can I feed the animals?
Many of our animals are on special diets. Please do not feed any food to the animals during your visit to the sanctuary.
Can I bring my dog?
For the safety and comfort of both our rescued animals and your dog, dogs are not allowed on sanctuary grounds. Registered service animals are the only exception to this rule, and must be kept on-leash at all times.
Can I bring my own food?
Yes, but please do not bring any meat, eggs, dairy, or animal by-products to the sanctuary out of respect for the animals, staff, and fellow visitors. You may be asked to put your food back in the car for consumption elsewhere if it does not meet these criteria.
Can We Visit Any Other Time Besides Tours or Events?
Barn Sanctuary is closed to the public at all other times. Our staff is working 7 days a week and we can not accommodate drop-ins. We are not open to visitors outside of the specified tours times and special events listed on our website. If you would like to tour the sanctuary during a time outside of our listed tour and visitor dates, please fill out a private tour request.
Are We Allowed to Bring Hurt, Injured or Rescued Animals to Barn?
No. If there is an emergency or an animal in need, you must contact our team through the appropriate channels. If you are aware of an animal in need, please email rescue@barnsanctuary.org. Provide your name, contact information and as much information about the animal as possible. If this is an urgent rescue case, please type “URGENT” in the email subject line. Thank you!
