Have you noticed it? If you have spent any time at all in Berry Farms you have seen it. We love our four-legged family members and it shows! There is always an adorable, tail-wagging pooch (or two or three) out with his human strolling around the community.  No matter how many beautiful new homes, lush landscaping, and quaint streets you find in a neighborhood, it just doesn’t feel the same until you add the animals. (Yes, don’t forget the felines sunning on the porch!)

 Berry Farms is not just home to these cherished pets, but to an amazing non-profit dedicated to finding loving families for homeless, neglected animals in Middle Tennessee. Happy Tales Humane, located in The Village at Berry Farms, was founded in 1996 by Marcy Payne as a virtual no-kill rescue. They obtained a small storefront space in The Factory in Franklin, TN in 2001 for the feline residents. They moved to Berry Farms in March of 2015 and have become a special member of our family.

Happy Tales Humane offers a complete adoption experience for our adopters, according to Debbie Cure, Executive Director at HTH. “We work very hard one on one with each and every animal and with the potential adopter to make sure we are placing the animal in the best home possible for both the animal and the family.” The goal is to offer these animals a second chance of having a fulfilling life in a new home.  “We consider each adoption a new member of the family and we continue to work with the new family through the life of the animal.”

As a non-profit, HTH depends on community support to provide these much needed services. They get all their funding from the community and also offer educational workshops and volunteer opportunities. “We are always looking for foster homes for the animals, office workers, dog walkers, and feline socializers. (That means playing with the cats!)”

Don’t have a four-legged pet of your own or maybe thinking about adding another? Come on by Happy Tales and talk to one of their volunteers.  All the dogs are available by appointment and the cats are available every day during regular business hours. They are open Tuesday thru Friday 11-4 and Saturday 11-2. (Note: They are closed on Tuesdays except by appointment during the Farmers Market season because all the activity tends to excite and stress the animals.) Also, check out their website at www.happytaleshumane.com .  If you come by, be sure to say hello to Ellie. Ellie is paralyzed and at the shop all the time. She is the official “Greeter” and will be glad to answer all your questions and help you write your Happy Tale.

By Lisa Gregory   May 31, 2016