Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm

BY MAGGIE OLIVE KLEIN
KONKLIFE STAFF WRITER 

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm is a non-profit organization, serving as a home to about 150 various animals. The farm is open to the public the second and fourth Sundays each month from 1-3 pm, free of charge, and is located off College Road, on Stock Island at the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters complex. The range of animal breeds and species is quite large, including alligators, goats, sheep, bunnies, birds, lemurs, an emu, an ostrich, snakes, and many, many more. The farm provides a home for animals that have been abandoned, donated, or abused, and is overseen by Farmer Jeanne Selander, the animals’ loved and appreciated mother. 

The farm started back in 1994, with the first animals being ducks and chickens that would cross the road between the golf course and the jail, and many were hit by cars. The animals were brought to an open area underneath the jail facility, which later became what is now a beautifully cared for piece of property. Shortly after the ducks and chickens found their home, rumors began to spread around Key West about the area. Jeanne Selander says, “Rumors started in the Keys that the people over at the area were taking in animals. So, people just started dropping animals off that they had acquired as pets but could no longer care for. Then SPCA in Miami called and asked if the facility could take a blind horse, and because our Sheriff at the time had a passion for all things animals, and also happened to be an equestrian, the facility accepted, and from there, the animal farm was born.” The animal farm was started completely by accident but has proved to be an amazing outlet for the community, inmates, and animals! 

The farm is overseen by Farmer Selander, with help from a crew of inmates from the detention center who care for and enjoy the company of animals. They get formal training in animal care, and are able to learn to work closely with many creatures in need of love and compassion. The farm has had very positive feedback from the community and the inmates alike, and has even spread word across the globe. Farmer Selander says, “We have people from all over the world to come visit. I’ve done TV shows in Germany, we’ve been on Reader’s Digest, CNN, and so many different news outlets.” Part of how Farmer Selander has been able to gain traction for the farm is by traveling through the Keys in an old horse trailer with some animals to accompany her. 

Farmer Selander notes that she was able to acquire such a range of species by reaching out to rescues in Florida, and gets different animals to care for and share with the community. She notes, “We have all of these cool animals that kids don’t usually get to see here. We don’t have a zoo in the Keys, the closest one is in Miami.” The community is very generous in supporting Farmer Selander and her animals, and providing donations in order to continue to preserve the beauty that is the Animal Farm. 

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