Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Kario.
Lisa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a little girl, I always dreamed of having a farm because I loved animals. I had never been to one but somehow I just knew. I had a myriad of pets growing up dogs,cats, gerbils, guinea pigs, a tortoise and even meal worms. Life happened, I got married, had a son, became widowed when he was three. I was working and living in a subdivision but I never felt comfortable, I felt something was wrong but I did not know what. A friend of mine asked if I wanted to volunteer at a horse rescue. It seems pretty unbelievable now, but I was not aware there were rescues. I said sure, and when I arrived and stepped onto the property, I felt a great sense of calm come over me. I knew this was what I was meant to do.
Shortly thereafter, I started looking at mini farms for giggles. I was still several years from retirement age but wanted to get an idea of what it would entail. Shortly thereafter I saw one that looked so great, I went there that day and again, the minute I set foot on the property, I knew this was where I was meant to be. It was 7 acres, for a suburban girl living in a subdivision that seemed huge. I moved there and luckily I was working from home most days so I started the rescue. It grew and grew and soon I found out 7 acres was not much land at al. Still Freedom Acres is home to pigs, horses, donkeys, alpacas, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens and of course dogs.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a bumpy ride.
because I had no real experience. There has never been a time when I did not have a handyman working here. The property was not set up as a farm so little by little fencing, cross fencing and buildings were and are still being constructed. Veterinary bills can be very high especially when it is on a weekend and also when there is no one to come out. In that case we must go to the UGA Veterinary Hospital. I have been able to pay for most of it alone but I retired in 10/18 as I was needed full time, and really do need more help with donations and volunteers. I did make an Airbnb over the pole barn and that has been of some help limited help.
Please tell us about Freedom Acres.
My sanctuary is free-range. All the animals, with the exception of roosters, can do and go wherever they want. Animals that are not normally together, like pigs and horses or goats with horns all get along. Sometimes they even form cross species friendships, for instance there is one sheep that is always with the alpacas and one pig that likes to hang with the goats. They migrate to different areas of the property during the day, they stay in the forest during the heat of the summer days and go out to the main pasture after dinner. In between they can be found on the granite. My idea is to let them have as natural of a life as possible. There are stalls but no one is forced to stay in one.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
It was luck that I my friend told me about the horse rescue, had she not I would still be working and living in a subdivision.
Contact Info:
- Address: Freedom Acres
5531 Hillview Dr SW
Oxford, Ga 30054 - Website: www.freedomacresrescue.com
- Phone: 678-598-8901
- Email: info@freedomacresrescue.com
- Instagram: Freedom Acres Farm Animal Rescue
- Facebook: Freedom acres farm animal sanctuary
- Others: Airbnb: https://abnb.me/
1m5hpqF4GY
Airbnb Experience: https://abnb.me/4XKtu1O4GY
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
