Florida couple builds 420-acre animal sanctuary

Pic credit: Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary ​ When Erin and Chris Amerman purchased a 210-acre farm near Gainesville, Florida, in 2015, they had no idea how much their rescue efforts would grow. A year later, they turned it into Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary. They started with three rescued cows. By 2019, they had expanded their mission by acquiring Critter Hills, a 200-acre ranch and hay farm in nearby Alachua. Today, the sanctuary spans three properties totalling 420 acres and cares for more than 180 cows, alongside donkeys, pigs, horses, a bison, a turkey and a water buffalo. The sanctuary is more than a haven for rescued animals. Of the original property, 125 acres are dedicated to wildlife conservation, while monthly tours and public events help visitors connect with farmed animals!The rat who changed everythingErin Amerman’s road to rescue started with a rat. She was seven, and her mother had finally agreed to let her have her first pet. Erin wanted a hamster. During a visit to the pet shop, she realised that the hamster she picked up wanted to pee on her. Another wanted to bite her. A third only wanted to run away from her as fast as it could. That was when a young woman working...