Lenore Braford, has a passion for animals. The 27-year-old recently bought several acres of land in Pittsboro near Highway 87 to create the Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge. She says the organization plans to rescue animals of all shapes and sizes from individuals, shelters and factory farms.

“Farm animals are treated pretty poorly. In factory farming conditions, they endure intense confinement and they go through physical mutilations that are part of the industry standard practices and there is a lot of psychological and physical stress they endure. We want to help these animals by providing a natural and stress free home and we also want to educate people about these conditions,” says Braford.

The project is in its beginning stages. Right now, volunteers are planting grasses and hosting several fundraisers to help pay for the nearly 16-acre refuge farm.  

Braford says she adopted a more compassionate way of life in college when she became a vegan. She also wants to use the farm to raise awareness about vegetarians.

“There are many delicious alternatives available. At Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, one of things we want to do is provide awareness of what some of those things are and provide support for people who want to make small changes in their diets and move towards eating fewer animals,” says Braford.

Braford added, “Some of the things we would like to have are cooking classes and demonstrations, as well as literature that can really help answer people’s questions about veggie diets.”

Braford says she also is building a small house on the site, so when the rescued animals start arriving, she can attend to them full-time.

For more information on the Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge or how to become a volunteer visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PiedmontFarmAnimalRefuge?fref=ts.