As Broken Shovels enters its sixteenth year, we reflect on the immense love, loss, and gratitude that have shaped this sanctuary. The past few years have brought deep heartbreak as we’ve said goodbye to many of our most beloved residents—animals who, though their lifespans are shorter than ours, were given years, even decades, beyond what the world ever intended for them.
Their lives have been our teachers, our family, and our daily reminders of resilience, gentleness, and grace.
This Día de los Muertos, we invite our community to join us in a day of remembrance and celebration for the animals who have touched and transformed our lives.
We will begin with a 30-minute opening ceremony featuring reflection, story, and song before opening the sanctuary for quiet time among our nearly 500 rescued residents. Throughout the afternoon, our community ofrenda will be open to everyone—please bring a photo, story, or small item to honor the animals you have loved and lost, whether here at Broken Shovels or in your own life.
💀 Aztec dancers Yohualli Ehecatl MITOTILIZTLI will be here to help us honor the sacred tradition of remembrance
🎶 Live music and food
💬 Speakers and storytellers sharing love and legacy
🐮 Time in the animal enclosures to connect, remember, and heal together
This is a day to celebrate lives that changed us forever, to speak their names, and to remember that love never ends—it only transforms. Bring your stories. Bring your memories. Bring your love for the animals who have changed your world.
Because remembrance is not sorrow — it is celebration, connection, and continuity.
* No food or drink for animals or humans may be brought to this event.
* Tickets are NON REFUNDABLE. If the event is cancelled due to severe weather, the event will be rescheduled or you may use your ticket at a future event. We will notify via email and/or text if the event must be postponed.
* We cannot stay open later for late arrivals so please plan your visit accordingly.
* Each guest must have a ticket, regardless of age.
* If available, purchase of food and drinks is an additional cost separate from the ticket price.
* No companion animals are allowed at the sanctuary, in cars or on leashes, under any circumstances.
Visitor Guidelines:
Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary is a safe place for animals rescued from abuse, neglect, slaughter and exploitation. We do not breed or sell animals. Occasionally, animals are rescued already pregnant and they and their children will live out their lives here, never to be separated, sold or used.
This place is not a petting zoo. Although the animals love being pet and loved by our visitors, they are not here to be entertainment, but to enjoy meaningful interaction with caring guests.
You have been invited into our animals safe space. We expect you to treat them with kindness and respect. You are visiting their home; they are not here for human entertainment. Not every animal is going to be friendly. Please leave them alone if they do not want attention. Do not chase, yell or throw anything at the animals.
Understand that there are animals here in various stages of aging and/or recovery from injury or illness. We work with a vast network of veterinary specialists that provide the best care for the animals. Your perception of conditions of what is considered acceptable may not actually be in the best interest of the animal or parallel what our care-taking priorities are. We welcome any questions you have about the animals.
Please follow posted rules for the safety and comfort of the animals and other visitors.
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