Ever dreamed of cuddling a black bear cub, chilling with an alligator, or virtually ‘adopting’ a soccer-playing cow? You can do all that and more through these 8 inspiring animal sanctuaries in Michigan.
As a family with five children, we have all enjoyed visiting zoos. But finding ethical zoos that treat their animals well can sometimes be a challenge. Plus, as my children have gotten older, they have all expressed that going to the zoo can sometimes make them sad.
Fortunately, for all the animal lovers out there, there is another option for you to visit and engage with animals outside of zoos—through an animal sanctuary. Animal sanctuaries are often non-profit organizations that focus on rescuing, rehabilitating, or rehousing animals that have been injured, abandoned, or have special needs. These animal sanctuaries in Michigan welcome visitors, donations, volunteers, and, when appropriate, all the headpats their animals can get.
1. Awaiting Arms Rescue Sanctuary
Location: Meet & Greets at Tractor Supply in Cadillac
Hours: First Saturday of the month from 11 am-2 pm
Featured animals: Dogs and cats
The Awaiting Arms Rescue Sanctuary has 25 years of experience in rescuing animals from Missaukee County, Wexford County, and nearby areas in Michigan. The 501(c)3 volunteer-run organization focuses on caring for and placing pets with special needs, those who are pregnant or who have been orphaned, and senior animals.
“At Awaiting Arms Rescue Sanctuary, we believe every animal deserves a second chance—especially the ones who are most often overlooked,” volunteer and director Jen Simmons tells us. “From pregnant mothers and orphaned babies to seniors and special needs pets, our goal is to provide safety, healing, and love until they find the right home, or a lifelong sanctuary with one of our foster families.”
While there is no in-person sanctuary you can visit, you can browse their website to find adoptable pets, sign up to volunteer or to be a foster pet parent, or attend one of the organization’s monthly animal Meet and Greets, which are held on the first Saturday of every month at Tractor Supply Company in Cadillac, Mich. I also highly recommend following their Facebook page for a daily dose of cuteness.
2. The Creature Conservancy
Location: 4940 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor
Hours: Saturdays and Sundays, 12 pm-5 pm
Featured animals: Alligator, cougar, sloth, bald eagles, leopards, tortoises.
The Creature Conservancy in Ann Arbor is a nonprofit wildlife education organization that focuses on both providing educational opportunities to the community and caring for animals in need. The Creature Conservancy was founded after its owner found a 42-inch alligator abandoned in a wooden box at a local veterinarian’s office and realized how often exotic animals that were once pets are left without care.
Over half of the conservancy’s animals are rescues, and many of its other acquired animals were born in captivity and transferred from approved institutions. Visitors can see a full list of the conervancy’s permits on its website, and if you’re interested in visiting, it’s open to the public every weekend. They also offer ongoing special events, “open hours” for members, private tours, and weekday educational programs.
3. Pan Equus Animal Sanctuary
Location: 940 Hummer Lake Rd, Oxford
Hours: Select Open Barn dates: 10 am-1 pm
Featured animals: Cows, peacocks, pigs, horses, donkeys, mules, sheep, goats
The Pan Equus Animal Sanctuary in Southeastern Michigan is a haven for farm animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by their owners. The sanctuary accepts all farm animals, from horses to mules to even peacocks. Currently, the sanctuary houses 36 horses, 20 cows, 12 sheep, 18 goats, 4 pigs, and many more animals. You can get to know some of the animals on the website, which profiles each rescue and their story.
Co-founded and run by a veterinarian and engineer, the sanctuary is entirely volunteer-run and donation-funded. They accept donations, contributions, and volunteers, and anyone interested in visiting the sanctuary can do so during their “Open Barn” hours, which take place on select dates listed on their website and run from 10 am to 1 pm.
4. Marty’s Place
Location: 79223 Brown Rd, Bruce Township
Hours: Open all year (by appointment only)
Featured animals: Bison, deer, elk, moose, rabbits
Marty’s Place is a non-profit animal sanctuary that welcomes visitors and provides the community with education on all things animal-related. The sanctuary lives on in honor of its founder, Marty Clauw, who was an animal lover and jewelry shop owner who funded his animal rescue program through his work as a jeweler.
Today, Marty’s Place is dedicated to continuing his work in caring for—and sharing his love for—animals. The sanctuary hosts events, offers mobile petting zoos, and has bookable group tours that allow visitors to get an up-close-and-personal experience with the animals, learn how the sanctuary operates, and even feed the animals. The tours last one hour, and guests can bring along their own treats to feed the animals if they would like. (And don’t worry: the website lists suggestions of what to bring, along with food to avoid if you need some guidance. Basically, stick to fruits and veggies and avoid anything with a pit.)
5. Barn Sanctuary
Location: 20179 McKernan Dr., Chelsea
Hours: Public tours available October-May
Featured animals: Cows, chickens, pigs, sheep, and more
Similar to the Pan Equus Animal Sanctuary, the Barn Sanctuary in Chelsea, Michigan, is a haven specifically for farm animals. They nurse abused or neglected farm animals back to health and continue to care for them for the rest of their lives. Currently, the farm has over 140 “residents” that visitors and donors can get to know online or in person through tours. You can even sponsor a barn animal, such as Hamilton, a chicken saved from a cockfighting ring, or Henry, the soccer-playing cow.
The Barn Sanctuary is a donation-funded non-profit and was featured in a 12-part series on “Animal Planet” in 2020. Public tours are available from May through October, and private tours are available year-round by appointment.
6. Oswald’s Bear Ranch
Location: 13814 County Road 407, Newberry
Hours: Memorial Weekend through Labor Day, 9:30 am-5 pm
Featured animals: Black bear cubs
Ever dreamed of playing with a baby black bear? Thanks to Oswald’s Bear Ranch in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, your dream can officially come true. Visitors can interact with a baby bear and even have their photo snapped for proof of this bucket-list moment. (Does this mean you should say “honey” instead of “cheese” for your picture?)
Oswald’s is the largest bear-only ranch in the entire country, with over 40 roaming bears that call two habitats of the ranch home. The ranch takes in rescued bear cubs, raises them, and provides them with a safe and comfortable home, all while welcoming the public to visit and spend time learning about and interacting with the bears.
7. Association to Rescue Kritters (ARK)
Location: 3878 S Maple Valley Rd., St Helen
Hours: 9 am-6 pm
Featured animal: Baby deer, raccoons, an owl, and a broad-winged hawk
The Association to Rescue Kritters (ARK) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization focused on rescuing and rehabilitating Michigan wildlife. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals back into the wild. They rescue and release hundreds of injured or orphaned animals back into the wild every year and, in the process, bring the community along for the ride. Each year, they care for up to 2,000 animals, all through donations and volunteer efforts.
Some of the animals they have rescued include 71 turtles, a bald eagle with lead poisoning, a coyote raised as a pet that developed an infection, and a bobcat who was hit by a car and is now unable to care for herself alone in the wild. The ARK has specially chosen animal ambassadors, like Rascal the Raccoon and Sadie the Gray Fox, who participate in educational programs for children and adults alike.
8. Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary
Location: 1698, M-66, Athens
Hours: Seasonally open 11 am-4 pm
Featured animal: Alligators
I would not have guessed that an alligator sanctuary existed in Michigan, but the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary is a very real place on the southwest side of the state. The sanctuary is not open to the public through Michigan’s harshest cold-weather months, November through April, but it welcomes visitors from May through October.
Admission prices are very reasonable, with plenty of discounts available to service people, nurses, and educators, and entry grants access to all animal exhibits (including tortoises, reptiles, and other creatures), shows, the greenhouse, and the alligator observation deck. If you’re looking to get especially hands-on with the gators, you can join in on their “Moving Day” on Apr. 25, when participants can help physically move the alligators to their warm-weather homes.
