Why it’s needed: the challenges we’re facing…

  • Over 2.7 million animals are euthanized annually in the United States.

  • Massachusetts faces a severe shortage of affordable housing, particularly for people seeking stable housing tied to meaningful work and community.

  • Animal rescues and housing solutions are typically addressed separately, despite serving overlapping populations.

  • Many rescues rely on continuous fundraising, creating long-term operational instability.

Our solutions

Manifest Farm brings these needs together through an integrated model that includes:

A permanent animal sanctuary (not a high-turnover shelter)

Steward housing for caretakers 

Mission-aligned wellness & community programming that supports long-term sustainability

Animals may live out their full lives at the sanctuary, with adoption possible when appropriate. Housing is reserved for individuals or families who actively participate in animal care.

What we do

Core Program Elements

  • Animal rescue and lifelong sanctuary
    (dogs, horses, donkeys, goats, cats and chickens)

  • Eco-friendly housing for animal stewards

  • Low-impact land development guided by the site itself

  • Phased in wellness and community offerings, including:

    • Yoga with animals

    • Equine-assisted therapy

    • Massage, acupuncture and wellness practitioners (space rental)

    • Art and creative programming (think paint nights in the barn)

    • Groomer space (ideally vet tech lives on site)

    • Small retail featuring animal related, art and wellness goods

    • Limited boarding and small private events

Programs are introduced gradually, with animals and housing as the priority.

Financial model

Manifest Farm operates as a nonprofit with earned revenue streams designed to offset the ongoing costs of animal care, land stewardship, and operations—reducing reliance on constant fundraising.

The goal is long-term operational sustainability, not rapid expansion.

Detailed financials are available for interested supporters.

Site and scale

  • Target size: 4–10 acres

  • Location: Within ~30 minutes of Scituate, MA

  • Likely towns: Marshfield, Hanover, Pembroke

  • Initial phase includes:

    • Barn with apartment above

    • 2–3 small homes

    • Fenced pastures, walking trails

    • Wellness/event space

    • Parking and infrastructure

Zoning and permitting—including special permits for animals, kennel licensing, and housing—are feasible with proper planning and community engagement.  The towns we would look at have the zoning for “Right to Farm” which involves hooved animals like horses.  Housing plan would involve use of Accessory Dwellings and all designed well for best privacy and functionality of the site.