West Place Animal Sanctuary will host its rescheduled fall visitors weekend on Sunday, Sept. 28, after postponing the original date due to inclement weather earlier this month.
The 90-minute guided tours will run every 30 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a special driving tour available at 4 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Happy, a towering draft horse and former racehorse who recently arrived at the sanctuary. Happy was pulled from the racetrack and destined for slaughter before finding refuge at West Place, where he is receiving hoof care and medical treatment.
The event celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Dr. Samuel West farm and homestead in Tiverton. The heritage tours explore the history of the property, the West family and subsequent stewards of the land, including an on-site historic cemetery dating to the late 18th century. Visitors will also see a recent barn addition completed last summer with grant funding.
West Place Animal Sanctuary is also celebrating its 18th anniversary as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. During an opening ceremony on Sept. 6, founder and executive director Wendy Taylor received certificates of special recognition from U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo.
Adding to the festivities is “Lata,” a life-sized elephant calf replica from The Great Elephant Migration, on loan to the sanctuary for the weekend. The replica was crafted by an indigenous artisan and promotes awareness about humans and animals living together peacefully.
“We have only postponed visitors weekend tours twice due to weather,” Taylor said. “The decision to reschedule for September 28 benefits both animals and human visitors.”
Adult tickets cost $28 online or $30 at the gate, while children’s tickets are $15. Advance registration is recommended at westplace.org/visitors-weekends. All proceeds benefit the animals at West Place Animal Sanctuary.
The sanctuary is located at 3198 Main Road in Tiverton. Tours will proceed rain or shine.
