In a picturesque valley just outside St. Louis, there’s an extra-special haven for animals seeking refuge from abuse and neglect, a place where they can roam freely on 165 acres of green grass, woodland and big sky.
Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, located near Union, Missouri, has been home to hundreds of endangered horses, cows, goats, pigs, ducks and other animals removed from unhealthy, unsafe surroundings, or surrendered by their owners who are no longer able to care for them due to an illness in the family, divorce, job loss or other circumstances.
The animals often come to the ranch scared, malnourished and in overall poor condition. At Longmeadow, they find a sanctuary where they can be nursed back to health, rehabilitated and ultimately be placed in a loving, permanent home.
Longmeadow Rescue Ranch opened in 1988 as the Humane Society of Missouri’s large-animal rehabilitation center. Once known as Packwood Longmeadow Farm, the property came from a generous bequest by George Packwood Jr., a longtime Humane Society supporter who donated the land specifically for the care of ranch animals.
Today, the ranch is one of the most comprehensive horse and farm animal rescue, rehabilitation and adoption facilities in America. In addition to caring for the animals, Longmeadow’s staff of 12 full- and part-time employees, along with a group of dedicated volunteers, provide hands-on humane education experiences for children and adults.
On any given day, Longmeadow houses 100 or so horses, as well as dozens of other animals usually found on a farm, including chickens, pot-bellied pigs and even an alpaca or two. What connects these animals is the hope for a second chance after a life of mistreatment and neglect. Since its founding, the ranch has secured permanent homes for thousands of animals, averaging approximately 200 adoptions a year.
Longmeadow has its share of celebrity occupants – known as ambassadors or Barn Buddies – who help raise awareness and much-needed funds for the ranch.
Perhaps the most famous is Twister, a 14-year-old warmblood cross horse and Longmeadow’s “artist in-residence.” Twister, whose pregnant mother came to the ranch in September 2006 after surviving a tractor-trailer crash on I-44, was born seven months later without complications. Thanks to his caregivers, he was successfully weaned from his mother at 5 months old. With further positive-reinforcement training by staff and volunteers, Twister learned to hold a brush and paint. His one-of-a-kind paintings are available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting Longmeadow. His other duties include his role as lead ambassador for the ranch, meeting visitors and vamping for the cameras.
There’s also Peanut the turkey, who considers herself Longmeadow’s unofficial welcome wagon. A resident of the ranch since 2019, Peanut is exceptionally friendly and can be found visiting with Longmeadow director Amanda Mullen at her office or holding court among the other animals during the day.
Then there’s Waffle, a 10-year-old miniature horse who was pregnant with her foal and in poor health when she came to the ranch in November 2020. In the early morning hours of May 13, Waffle gave birth to a healthy, 20-pound filly named Maple, whose delivery was livestreamed via the ranch’s “Baby Cam” and viewed by hundreds of well-wishers.
While Waffle and Maple won’t be available for adoption until the baby is weaned, there are plenty of other animals currently waiting for a permanent home. Among them, dozens of horses of every breed, potbellied pigs, donkeys, ducks and more. Potential owners must meet Longmeadow’s adoption requirements and fill out an application.
For those who’ve always wanted to adopt a farm animal but don’t have the room to house them, consider sponsoring a Barn Buddy. Every Barn Buddy sponsorship helps provide food, shelter and medical care for Longmeadow’s rescued animals.
The ranch is also in need of volunteers who are trained to work alongside staff to feed, water and groom the animals, as well as help clean and maintain the facilities. Volunteers are needed during daylight hours seven days a week.
In addition, Longmeadow offers a host of other programs designed around animal rehabilitation and care, as well as education and awareness.
Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, located at 480 Josephs Road in Union, Missouri, 63084, is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are required to visit and can be made by visiting Longmeadow’s website or by calling (636) 583-8759.
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