JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. — The Gentle Barn, a national nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates abused farm animals, has closed its Missouri location, citing extreme weather and a decrease in donations.

What You Need To Know

  • The nonprofit is known for its rehabilitated animals providing therapy to visitors, such as cow hug therapy, horse therapy and barnyard therapy

  • The 27-acre farm in Dittmer housed 25 animals and will be moved to the Gentle Barn’s other sanctuaries in California and Tennessee

  • The Dittmer farm was home to the St. Louis Six, a group of cows that escaped from a slaughterhouse in the city of St. Louis in 2019. The Gentle Barn's rescue of the cows marked the beginning of the nonprofit’s Missouri location.

  • To help with costs such as transportation, food, water, bedding for the animals and building new spaces for the animals, The Gentle Barn is seeking donations

In addition to its rescues, the nonprofit also is known for its rehabilitated animals providing therapy to visitors, such as cow hug therapy, horse therapy and barnyard therapy.

The 27-acre farm in Dittmer housed 25 animals such as horses, donkeys, pigs, chickens, turkeys, goats, a duck and a guinea fowl. 

The animals will be moved to the Gentle Barn’s other sanctuaries in California and Tennessee, according to the nonprofit’s Facebook post.

“We love and care deeply about our MO staff, volunteers, visitors and community, and we are very proud of all the work we've done there over the past eight years,” the Facebook post states.

“We have been working hard to stay open there, but through the pandemic, extreme weather, the economy and diminished financial support, we have no choice but to move forward with this plan.”

The Dittmer farm also was home to the St. Louis Six, a group of cows that escaped from a slaughterhouse in the city of St. Louis in 2019.

The St. Louis Six was the beginning of the nonprofit’s Missouri location.

“With numerous rescued animals under our care, we must work strategically to ensure they're getting everything they deserve, while also serving our local communities,” the Facebook post states.

The Gentle Barn was founded in 1999 by Ellie Laks and Jay Weiner in Los Angeles, Calif. In 2015, the organization’s second location opened in Nashville, Tenn.

“For 25 years, The Gentle Barn has rescued, healed, and rehabilitated animals with nowhere else to go, and we will continue. We will always be a home to animals who need it. But to ensure stability in our other locations, we must make this difficult decision,” the Facebook post states.

When the animals arrive to their new home, there will be a celebration, making them feel safe, secure and loved, according to Facebook post.

“These are really difficult times for everyone, including The Gentle Barn. It’s thanks to your support that we’re able to do this work, keep rescuing animals, and continue giving them the lives they all deserve,” the Facebook post states.

To help with costs such as transportation, food, water, bedding for the animals and building new spaces for the animals, The Gentle Barn is seeking donations.