Rescued farm animals get second chance through Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary in Ravenna

CLEVELAND - It's one of the largest farm animal sanctuaries in the country, and it’s right here in northeast Ohio giving animals a second chance.

“It started by accident, like a lot of careers I think,” said Annette Fisher.

PHOTOS: Rescued farm animals

Annette is the founder of Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary. Fisher’s "accidental career," led to the creation of the special farm in Ravenna.

Happy Trails rescues and rehabilitates abused and neglected horses, as well as other farm animals.

"If you look across the United States there are very, very few animal sanctuaries doing this combination," she said. "When it involves horses, goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, the humane societies aren’t set up to take any of them."

But Annette’s farm is, and she said it all started with a rescued pot-bellied pig.

"All started with Janice the pig. It just got us thinking what are other people doing in Ohio when they come across animal abuse and neglect situations."


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The nearly 10-acre farm can hold up to 150 animals, with the goal to rehabilitate each animal and find them a good home.

“We not only adopt out locally, but across the United States.”

In its 13 years, Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary has helped rescue more than 3,000 animals. Fisher says there is an incredible need for the services Happy Trails provides.  

The Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit, relies on donations and volunteers to keep the work here going.

Speakeasy still exists in Ohio City

"On January 16, they actually did pass the National Prohibition Act, or Volstead Act, as it’s formally known,” said Adam Gullett, the front of house manager at McNulty's Speakeasy in Ohio City. 

It was 94 years ago that the U.S. prohibited the making and selling of alcohol. But, that doesn’t mean it stopped.

"They were still going to have their saloons. They were just going to keep it underground," said Gullett.

McNulty's Speakeasy was likely one of them. There used to be a speakeasy down in the basement, and now McNulty's is paying homage.

"There’s a chandelier at the top of the stairs in Bier Market. On the weekends, we flip the chandelier on, and that’s kind of the cue that we’re open,” Gullett said.

There’s no advertising here. It’s by word of mouth, just like the real speakeasy. So, why not celebrate prohibition.. by raising a glass!

"Clearly in hindsight, the experiment that some called prohibition was more or less a failure," Gullet said.

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