Sanctuary House at Muddy Paw Farm is a part of Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary in Upper Fairmount, Somerset County, Maryland.  We are part of the Episcopal Diocese of Easton, and home to cats, dogs, chickens, Guineas, a horse, rabbits, exotic birds, pigeons, ducks, geese, and a swan. The sanctuary is also a licensed rehabilitation center for wild song birds,water fowl, and small mammals.

As a sanctuary, we provide life-long care for the animals who live here; at the present time, we do not have any openings for cats, dogs, rabbits, or exotic birds, but we will accept applications for placement in the future.  For an application, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Sanctuary House, PO Box 143, Upper Fairmount, MD 21867.  We are still accepting geese, some ducks (call ducks and Muscovy ducks), guineas, and peafowl.

We work with various rescue groups in finding new homes for dogs that would otherwise be euthanized.  We are associated in our beagle rescue efforts with Penny Angels Beagle Rescue of Ventnor, NJ.

The cats' stories have been published as The Cats of Sanctuary House (Willow Creek Press, 2005).  This book is available from the publisher or at www.amazon.com.  Framed color photos of most cats in the book are available for a donation of $12 each, which includes postage and handling. Photo requests and donations may be sent to PO Box 143, Upper Fairmount, MD 21867.

Here are some of the current needs at Sanctuary House.  Please feel free to donate actual items or, if that is impractical, to send a contribution or store gift card.  We usually shop at Food Lion and PetsMart, and would greatly appreciate any assistance.

1. wild bird seed  
2. Vanilla Wafers, oatmeal cookies, ginger snaps, and animal crackers  
3. carrots, apples, and other horse treats
4. fresh veggies (greens, bell peppers, parsley, cilantro, etc.) & mineral salt wheels for rabbits
5. seed sticks, cuttle bones, and other treats for exotic birds (from finch to parrot sizes!)
6. paper towels
7. laundry detergent and bleach
8. cash donations toward purchase of hay; shavings; feed for horse, ducks, geese, guineas, and chickens; cat litter; and vaccines & medications
9. covered litter boxes & cat "climbing furniture" (see Spoil My Kitty link)
10. cash donations toward spay/neuter fees and other vet costs

Thank you very much!

Many, if not most, of the animals at Sanctuary House need special life-long care.

For example, Charlie, an orange cat who was injured in the fan of a car, had to have his badly damaged eye removed -- his injuries also caused some bladder & kidney disfunction that require a special prescription food; other cats, Tiger, Pippa, Bradley, and Kelsey need prescription food, because of intestinal problems; Tiger Lily and Harry need prescription food for kidney/bladder problems; and Fancy needs a special allergy diet. Izzy has developed a heart murmur, necessitating daily medication.  Katie is a senior beagle who needs medicine for a heart condition and eye drops for glaucoma. Senior Arabian mare Callie takes daily medication for arthritis. 

We also have several cats (Clarence, Hannes, Josie, Sully, Cyril, Lizzie, and Horace, to name a few) who came to us with Bartonella syndrom.  This disease is transmitted when a flea bites an infected cat or kitten -- left untreated, it causes various symptoms, including severe upper respiratory and eye infections.  Medication is given for 3 weeks and costs about $50-$60 per cat; occasionally more than one three-week treatment is needed. If you are able to help with the costs of the medicines and/or special prescription food or surgery, please send a check, marked for Special Needs Animals, to PO Box 143, Upper Fairmount, MD 21867.  Thank you!

                                                               Charlie                                        Izzy                                                   Katie