Saving Grace Animal Sanctuary is located on 2.5 acres in Acton and provides a safe home to animals that were once unwanted, abused, or neglected.
“First of all, our sanctuary is about the animals. So it’s not about us. We don’t live off the animals. We live for the animals,” said Erich Lange, owner of Saving Grace Animal Sanctuary.
“We’ve never taken a penny of compensation for doing this in 14 years, and we’re actually one of the major donors for our sanctuary. So if donations run out, we’re there to help out,” said Lange.
The sanctuary cares for more than 30 rescued animals, offering safety and healing to those who once had nowhere else to go.
“This is April. She came to us, I believe, around nine years ago. She was being trained to become a police horse, and the trainer used some unconventional methods to discipline her, which included hitting her over the head with a two-by-four when she misbehaved,” said Lange.
“Well, apparently, she got hit a little too hard, and it caused her to go blind. Then she was dumped at a high kill shelter, and we were the only sanctuary that would take her,” said Lange.
An unlikely pair — a tortoise and a pig — have formed a bond that stands out at the sanctuary.
“These guys got taken to our Lancaster Animal Control, and people wanted to either take in the pig or the tortoise, but they wanted to keep them together because they were a bonded pair. Well, we were the only sanctuary that would take them both,” said Lange.
For Erich and Kathy, caring for rescued animals makes vegan living a natural next step.
“So when people come here, we find out where they are on their journey, and everyone’s in a different place. So we don’t judge, we just try to educate,” said Lange.
“And one of the ways we educate is for people to meet their food. Most people have never brushed a cow or held a lamb in their lap, and or met a Turkey,” said Lange.
At Saving Grace Animal Sanctuary, the mission is the same for every animal: safety, compassion, and a second chance.
