The Gentle Barn is currently home to 130 animals who are rescued from severe abuse, neglect or slaughter. Once the animals are rehabilitated they stay at the barn for the rest of their lives and serve as ambassadors, helping to heal abused children. The Gentle Barn is host to kids in foster care, on probation, in gangs, on drugs and from the inner city, as well as school groups and special needs kids and adults. Through the interactions with the animals and their stories, kids learn kindness, compassion, confidence and reverence for all life.

Every animal at The Gentle Barn has been rescued from horrible abuse, neglect and loneliness, and yet they have all survived using forgiveness, trust, love and courage.

You can help support The Gentle Barn mission by making a donation or visiting the Barn on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A donation of $10 per person is requested from visitors.


A Gentle Birthday Party
There are certainly many party places where your child can bounce, play or get great entertainment, but what about a birthday party where your child can be with animals, learn how to understand and respect them, and support a great cause at the same time? That fantastic birthday party happens at The Gentle Barn!

A Gentle Barn birthday party is appropriate for all ages, is fun and hands on - and filled with animals of all kinds! Your child and his or her friends and family can hug cows, feed and pet horses, give pigs tummy rubs, pet chickens, play with goats and sheep, hypnotize an emu, cuddle with turkeys, have their faces painted, munch on hot fresh popcorn and run and play in the wide open outdoors, surrounded by gorgeous mountains and covered in blue sky.

There are two ways that you can have a party at The Gentle Barn. The first way is to have a party on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. while they are open, for $10 donation per person. You can enjoy the animals along with other visitors. Then you can have the use of picnic tables for your food and cake.

The second way you can have a party at The Gentle Barn is a private party where you have the place to yourselves. It is a donation of $400. Enjoy hot fresh popcorn as you arrive. Then staff will give the kids a presentation geared to their age and attention span. They talk about why pigs love mud, why roosters crow, how animals talk through body language, and what the animals eat, etc. After time with the animals you have your party at the picnic tables. You bring in the food - you can have a 12-course meal or just cupcakes; it's up to you! Please call The Gentle Barn office to schedule your party today.

"How many times can you do the same birthday party at a bouncy house?" asks Founder Ellie Laks. "Here the animals are very happy, the kids get to really interact with them and the funds go to supporting an amazing nonprofit organization, so it is a win/win all the way around."

For any child a Gentle Barn party is an amazing experience that they, their friends and family won't ever forget - but for an animal lover, it is a must! The Gentle Barn does adult parties, corporate picnics and private tours, too.

The Gentle Barn sanctuary is located at 15825 Sierra Highway in Santa Clarita. 252-2440 www.gentlebarn.com