At Little Bear Sanctuary, we believe every life is precious. Little Bear Sanctuary’s mission is to provide much-needed healthy, compassionate permanent housing to abandoned, abused and/or neglected farm animals. We are a true sanctuary, our animals are never kept in pens or cages and are allowed to roam free in their natural environment. Nestled in Punta Gorda, Florida, our sanctuary is a place of healing, hope, and second chances for creatures great and small.
We open our hearts and gates to animals of all kinds, including pigs, cows, goats, chickens, and other farm animals who have suffered hardship. Many of our residents come from situations of severe neglect or abuse, while others have been saved from factory farming or abandonment. At Little Bear Sanctuary, they find a home where they are treated with the dignity and compassion they deserve.
We open our hearts and gates to animals of all kinds, including pigs, cows, goats, chickens, and other farm animals who have suffered hardship. Many of our residents come from situations of severe neglect or abuse, while others have been saved from factory farming or abandonment. At Little Bear Sanctuary, they find a home where they are treated with the dignity and compassion they deserve.
The roots of Little Bear Sanctuary trace back to the 1930s, to a small farm in Kassel, Germany. There, a farmer and his wife raised thirteen children—one of whom had a special nickname: Little Bear. Her real name was Ursula, and she was a spirited farm girl who adored animals. Some even say she had a way of speaking to them—and they, in turn, spoke to her.
She and her twelve brothers and sisters grew up during a turbulent time in Germany; they lived through the darkest days of World War II and saw first-hand what hatred and intolerance look like.
Her family was dark-haired, not blond, and they were nearly sent to a concentration camp because they looked different.
Ursula’s family didn’t hate anyone. Like some families in Germany, they provided a safe place for Jewish people hiding from the Nazis. Ursula witnessed intolerance first-hand and learned the meaning of love, respect, and acceptance from her mother.
After the war, Ursula married an American soldier, and they moved to the United States. She and her husband had a son named Christopher, who, like Ursula, he learned the meaning of love, respect, and acceptance from his mother.
Inspired by his mother’s love for animals, Chris and his partner Randy decided to start a sanctuary to provide a safe place for animals from abusive situations. Like his mother and grandmother before him, Chris carries on the family tradition of selflessness and gives a safe forever home to his animal cousin with no home. When deciding on names for the organization, Randy suggested naming it after Chris’s mom, Ursula. They chose to use the nickname she was called on that little farm in Germany – Little Bear.
There are no bears at the sanctuary, just lots of happy and safe animals living their best lives.
The roots of Little Bear Sanctuary trace back to the 1930s, to a small farm in Kassel, Germany. There, a farmer and his wife raised thirteen children—one of whom had a special nickname: Little Bear. Her real name was Ursula, and she was a spirited farm girl who adored animals. Some even say she had a way of speaking to them—and they, in turn, spoke to her.
She and her twelve brothers and sisters grew up during a turbulent time in Germany; they lived through the darkest days of World War II and saw first-hand what hatred and intolerance look like.
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Her family was dark-haired, not blond, and they were nearly sent to a concentration camp because they looked different.
Ursula’s family didn’t hate anyone. Like some families in Germany, they provided a safe place for Jewish people hiding from the Nazis. Ursula witnessed intolerance first-hand and learned the meaning of love, respect, and acceptance from her mother.
After the war, Ursula married an American soldier, and they moved to the United States. She and her husband had a son named Christopher, who, like Ursula, he learned the meaning of love, respect, and acceptance from his mother.
Inspired by his mother’s love for animals, Chris and his partner Randy decided to start a sanctuary to provide a safe place for animals from abusive situations. Like his mother and grandmother before him, Chris carries on the family tradition of selflessness and gives a safe forever home to his animal cousin with no home. When deciding on names for the organization, Randy suggested naming it after Chris’s mom, Ursula. They chose to use the nickname she was called on that little farm in Germany – Little Bear.
There are no bears at the sanctuary, just lots of happy and safe animals living their best lives.
Behind every happy animal at Little Bear Sanctuary is a dedicated team of caregivers, volunteers, and advocates. We have a passionate group of individuals who work tirelessly to ensure our residents receive the love and care they deserve.
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