BERKELEY, NJ — Alpacas, cows, emus and more: you may be surprised to find an array of nearly 200 animals right here in Bayville. These animals – abused and neglected, some facing the slaughterhouse – were rescued by Charlotte Farms Animal Sanctuary, located on Mill Creek Road.
Owner David Battat takes in dozens of animals a month, many of whom come to the sanctuary in poor condition and in need of medical intervention. But the sanctuary itself is in need, too, as it battles with the township for approvals.
Patch recently took a tour of the sanctuary, which occupies more than seven acres and has the Mill Creek itself run through the property.
Charlotte Farms got its start about a year ago, Battat said. He was renting some land in Toms River where he was helping animals, but that property was sold for development. Then, he came across 182 Mill Creek Road in Bayville – a former farm that was “in such bad shape,” he said.
Now, Battat estimates he has about 200 animals at the sanctuary, having taken in about 50 this July alone. When farms shut down or people can’t take care of their animals anymore, they bring them to Charlotte Farms. Chickens, ducks, donkeys, even reindeer have found new homes at the sanctuary.
But along with rescuing and rehabilitating animals, Battat has found himself in a costly fight with the Berkeley Township Zoning Board of Adjustment, which told him he needs a use variance to operate the site. While the property was operated as a farm for decades (and sat vacant for a long time), it resides in a residential zone. A previous meeting cost them thousands, and the sanctuary was told it needed to come back with with an engineer, only adding onto costs that Battat said could have gone to animal caretaking.
“We’re really stretched thin with this,” Battat said. The cost for feeding the animals alone amounts to about $7,000 every three months, he said.
Battat said he was told that the sanctuary wasn’t an inherently beneficial use to the town. But he’s trying to prove that wrong. He explained how the animals came to him in poor condition, and after hard work, many now eagerly walk up to guests, asking for attention.
It’s not just the animals, too. Battat has been working to create a nature path around the sanctuary and cleaning up Mill Creek, which is full of litter. Additional trash comes in from an apartment complex behind the property.
The animals themselves have helped clean up the property, eating weeds and overgrown plants. Of course, volunteers also pick up litter.
One thing you won’t see at the sanctuary? Annoying bugs, like mosquitoes and flies. The animals keep them out, Battat said. So no bug bites – just dragonflies flitting around.
“Everything is in sync, in harmony,” Battat said.
And it makes the battle with the township even more frustrating for Battat, who said he’s been doing everything by the book.
The farm is supposed to appear before the Zoning Board again in September. That’s only if they manage to get the funds for an attorney and an engineer – which Battat didn’t even know they needed until the past meeting.
To help the farm, Battat is hoping for donations from supportive locals. Each day, except Saturday, the sanctuary is open to visitors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also donate to their GoFundMe.
He’s not trying to get rich from this, he said. He doesn’t even expect massive donations.
“We’d rather five bucks from 1,000 people than 1,000 bucks from five people,” Battat said. What’s important to him is getting the word out and taking care of these animals.
“We just want to spread the word and spread the love and show everyone what we’re doing,” Battat said.
For more information about Charlotte Farms Animal Sanctuary, visit their Facebook page or their website. Their next appearance at the Zoning Board is set for Sept. 11.
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