Frequently Asked Questions

YES!!

Because this is a working sanctuary and a forever home for sensitive animals, all visits must be scheduled in advance. We would love to host you for a curated farm tour! Please book your appointment via our Airbnb Experience link

Ooooooh that's a spicy and complicated question! For the FULL story you'll have to meet us at a fundraiser or book a tour... but the short answer is: YES. Farm Sanctuary work IS A FULL TIME JOB! 

Also, we have full time professions outside of this work. Life is hectic and amazing. 

Oooooooh another spicy and complicated question.

Did we grow up on a farm? No. 

Did we grow up with lots of animals? No. ​

Here's the short version of how two suburban-raised northern Californians became animal rescuers: Step 1: successfully grew a cucumber in a balcony planter box. Step 2: started reading gardening and farming magazines --> piqued interest in composting and backyard chickens. Step 3: acquire 3 friendly layer hens. Step 4: Explosion of animals in the yard. Step 5: Move to a farm to have space for more More MORE animals!

Absolutely! These creatures are all part of a big  animal family, and everyone has a name. If an animal comes to us with a name, we generally keep it, unless the name is offensive or conjures concepts of animals being abused or disrespected. For example, names related to food or cartoons are often changed in order to respect the animal. 

Absolutely not. 

The residents at Rancho Roben Rescues are living in sanctuary - this means a peaceful existence free of labor and hardship, in as natural an environment as possible. They are not used for meat, breeding, or production of any kind. While some animals may naturally engage in behaviors like grazing, exploring, or interacting with their environment, they are never expected to “work” or provide a service. If a hen lays an egg, we will eat it, but we never manufacture the environment to artificially increase egg production. 

Our focus is on giving each animal a safe, comfortable home where they can simply be animals.

YES!! PLEASE!!

Check out the volunteer page and let's get started! We use an app called The Point to keep ourselves organized with volunteers and schedules. You'll create a login, and you'll be able to start signing up for shifts as soon as we approve your entry. 

We read and (hopefully thoughtfully) respond to every email that we receive. Keep in mind, we are a small-but-mighty organization, lead by the two founders who also maintain full time jobs away from the farm. Please be patient with us as we try to reply to your message as quickly as possible. If you have something urgent to ask about and you haven't heard back within a week, poke us again with another message. 

Our residents come to Rancho Roben Rescues from a wide range of situations. Some are transferred from shelters or animal control, while others are surrendered by families who can no longer care for them or whose owners have passed away. We also take in retired or unwanted farm animals who no longer have a place to go. In some cases, animals are abandoned — left on the side of the road or in unsafe conditions — with little chance of survival without intervention. No matter where they come from, the common thread is that they need a safe, permanent home — and that is what we provide.

Fresh eggs are naturally coated with a protective layer called the cuticle (or “bloom”), which helps seal the shell and prevent bacteria from entering. Because of this natural protection, farm-fresh eggs do not need to be washed and can safely be stored on the countertop for a period of time. Washing removes the cuticle, so once eggs have been washed, they should be refrigerated to maintain safety and freshness. If eggs are visibly dirty, it is best to gently brush off debris and wash only just before use with warm water. For longest shelf life, refrigeration is recommended, and any eggs with cracks, strong odors, or unusual appearance should be discarded.