Los Angeles - February 01, 2006

Animal Farm

Animal Acres

Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I … Oh, you get the picture.

But in case you want to become part of that picture (or if it’s just a little fuzzy around the edges), drive about 45 minutes outside L.A. to Animal Acres, a 26-acre farm that’s a sanctuary for rescued little buddies — pups, pigs, chicks, sheep, cows, goats, sweet baby lambs, and the rest of the stars of the kiddie song circuit.

Run solely on volunteer power, the farm offers many ways to pitch in at various commitment levels. Farm Chore Day is the easiest: Pick a Saturday, pack a lunch, and show up at 10 a.m. in your best farmer look (rubber boots will pull the outfit together and  come in handy). Slather on sunscreen, and prepare to muck stalls, clean barns, and help with general farm maintenance.

Of course, you’ll get to mingle with the furry, fuzzy, and feathered.

And you’ll definitely hear a cluck, cluck here and an oink, oink there.

Animal Acres, 5200 Escondido Canyon Road, off the 14 Freeway, Acton (661-269-0986 or animalacres.org).