A place that offers a soothing touch to traumatised animals

Animals at the farm are made to adapt to the surroundings and live comfortably with improved behavioural patterns

Even as increasing reports surface about cruelty towards animals, Mr Manoor Sachdev, an animal behaviourist, has started an animal farm for traumatised animals — including dogs, donkeys, emus, turtles, fish and cattle — where animal lovers can even come and stay, with or without their pets.

Most of the dogs in the farm, called Phoebe’s Farm, are ones that were rescued and brought there for the chance of a better life. These animals are made to adapt to their surroundings and live comfortably, with improved behavioural patterns.

Plus, when pet owners take their pets there for a weekend stay, this six-acre farm has multiple facilities for both the animals and their owners, who can go for an early-morning trek or cycling in the woods or by the river, take a dip in the dog pool that has a 360-degree view of the Sahayadris, sit by the Amba river with a cup of coffee, soak up the peace and solitude by a pond there or simply enjoy a rustic home-cooked meal.

“Phoebe’s Farm seems to be a slice of paradise for pets and pet parents, and for nature lovers,” said Purnachandra Gowda, a dog lover who had recently been to the farm with his friends and family.

The people attached to the farm believe that it is designed with an aim to ensure that animals, who otherwise tend to be given a raw deal in life, have ample scope for enjoyment.

The farm also offers group-stay facilities for all sorts of people, regardless of whether they own a pet.

The people at the farm even help people with pet adoptions, irrespective of whether someone is a first-time owner or not. In fact, with first-timers, the farm helps people adopt the perfect pet for them, based on the lifestyle of the family concerned.

Mr Sachdev, the owner of Phoebe’s Farm, said, “Pet owners are offered overnight/ weekend/weekday stays at the farm with their family and friends. It is a seven-tent and three-room resort. The location of the farm was planned keeping in mind the nearby spots for people to visit and it being equidistant from Mumbai and Pune.” He added, “We get around 25 rescued animals every month.”