Scatter Joy Acres

08/02/2026

Home is where the whole herd is. ❤️

After months on the road traveling from Nebraska to Florida with our animals, the journey is finally complete. While saying goodbye to our Nebraska location was bittersweet, we’re so thankful for everyone who supported us along the way.

Today, we’re excited to say our entire animal family is finally together at Hope & Joy Sanctuary! Seeing everyone settle in and enjoy Florida’s warm weather year-round has made every mile worth it.

So… who’s made the move? 🐾

Here are some of the familiar faces you’ll see on your next visit to Hope & Joy Sanctuary!

🦦 Lulu & Mikey have joined Bubbles & Splash, giving us four playful otters!

🦥 Lucy & Ricardo are now hanging out with Mocha, making our sloth family even bigger.

🦊 Harvey & Shadow our Arctic foxes have settled into their new home.

🦝 Rio the coatimundi has reunited with princess.

🦘 Olivia, Daisy, and Matilda have joined the rest of the kangaroo and wallaby crew.

🐮 Moonshine made the trip too! He was a fan favorite in Nebraska, and he’s already winning hearts here in Florida. Along with Camille the camel, they’re always catching the attention of people driving by!

Our Florida chapter is just getting started, and we can’t wait to welcome new friends from all over the Sunshine State.

And to everyone who supported us in Nebraska, thank you. We hope this gives you the perfect reason to pack your bags, head south, and come see your favorite animals thriving in their new home. We can’t wait to welcome you back. ☀️🐾

07/24/2026

🎉Help us wish Saylor a very Happy 6th Birthday! 🎉

Today we’re celebrating our favorite four-legged adventure buddy! 💙

If you’ve visited us over the years, chances are you’ve met Saylor. He’s always by Joy’s side and never wants to miss an adventure. Whether he’s hopping on a plane, riding on the boat, greeting guests, or exploring the ranch, Saylor is always ready to tag along.

He loves meeting new people and has brought smiles to so many faces, the children at Open Door Mission were his favorite! One of his favorite things in the world is a tennis ball—especially after he’s ripped all the fuzz off of it! 🎾😂

Today our birthday boy will be getting spoiled with treats, a pup cup, plenty of tennis balls, and lots of extra love.

🎂 Help us celebrate by wishing Saylor a Happy 6th Birthday in the comments! We’d also love to hear your favorite memory with him or see your favorite photo of Saylor from one of your visits. 🐾📸

Happy Birthday, Saylor! Here’s to many more adventures together! 💙🐶🎈

07/08/2026

Nebraska Location Update
Thank you for the incredible support you’ve shown Scatter Joy Acres during our final days in Nebraska.

Due to the overwhelming response from our community, all remaining Animal Experiences and General Admission visits are now fully booked.

Although General Admission did not require reservations, we are no longer able to accommodate walk-in visitors. To ensure the safety and well-being of our animals, provide the best possible experience for our scheduled guests, and maintain a comfortable environment on the ranch, we have made the difficult decision to limit the number of visitors each day.

We understand this may be disappointing, and we sincerely apologize to those we are unable to accommodate. We are truly grateful for the outpouring of love and support as we prepare to close our Nebraska location.

Thank you for being part of the Scatter Joy Acres family and for helping make our Nebraska chapter so special. We hope you’ll continue to follow our journey as we begin this exciting new chapter in Florida.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Joy Bartling
Founder & CEO
Scatter Joy Acres

07/04/2026

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Fourth of July! ❤️🤍💙🐾

We hope you have a fun-filled day surrounded by family, friends, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime.

As you celebrate, please remember to be mindful of your animals during the fireworks. Many pets can become frightened by the loud noises, especially puppies, kittens, or other animals experiencing fireworks for the very first time. Giving them a quiet, safe place and a little extra love can make all the difference.

Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and unforgettable Fourth of July! 🎆🐾

(Out Nebraska location is closed today to give the animals a relaxing day before fireworks start)

07/01/2026

‼️Important information ‼️

Scatter Joy Acres will be closed on Saturday, July 4th, to give our animals a peaceful, stress-free holiday.

While fireworks are a fun tradition for many, they can be frightening and overwhelming for the animals in our care. Giving them a quiet day to relax is one of the best ways we can help keep them comfortable and happy.

Thank you for understanding and supporting the well-being of our animals. We hope everyone has a safe, fun, and happy Fourth of July! ❤️🤍💙

06/28/2026

🐾🎉 Happy 9th Birthday to Our Official Ranch Greeter, Trisha! 🎉🐾

Today we're celebrating one very special girl... Trisha! ❤️

For the past 9 years, Trisha has been the first friendly face (and wagging tail!) to welcome so many guests to the ranch. Whether she greeted you at the gate, walked beside you on a tour, asked for a few extra pets, or simply made you smile, she's been an unforgettable part of the Scatter Joy Acres and Hope & Joy Sanctuary family.

She's welcomed thousands of visitors with unconditional love and has helped create countless memories along the way. We couldn't imagine the ranch without her.

🎂 Happy 9th Birthday, Trisha! We hope your day is filled with belly rubs, treats, toys, and all the love you deserve!

📸 We'd love to celebrate with you! If you have photos, videos, or favorite memories of Trisha from your visits over the years, please share them in the comments. We'd love to see just how many lives our sweet ranch greeter has touched. ❤️🐾

Help us wish Trisha the happiest of birthdays! 🎈🎁🎉

06/26/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Keren! 🎉

Today we're celebrating someone who brings kindness, joy, and a smile wherever she goes. 💖

From all of us at Scatter Joy Acres, we hope your birthday is filled with laughter, love, unforgettable memories, and all the happiness you deserve. Thank you for being a part of our family and for helping make the world a little brighter.

🎂 Wishing you a year ahead filled with new adventures, good health, and countless reasons to smile.

Happy Birthday, Keren! 🥳🎈🎁

💚 Leave Keren your birthday wishes in the comments below! 🎉🐾

06/24/2026

🎬🍿 MOVIE NIGHT IS THIS FRIDAY! 🍿🎬

Join us this Friday, June 26, for an outdoor showing of Zootopia 2 at the ranch!

🕕 Gates Open: 6:00 PM
🎥 Movie Starts: 7:00 PM
🍿 One FREE bag of popcorn included with admission
🥤 Snacks and drinks available for purchase
🦒 Admission includes time to visit the animals before the movie!

Please bring your own blankets or lawn chairs, as seating will not be provided.

As many of you know, July 31 will be our final day of operations in Nebraska. With only a few events remaining before then, now is the perfect time to make memories with us, visit the animals, and enjoy a fun night at the ranch.

Reservations are required and can be made at scatterjoyacres.org

We hope to see you Friday! ✨
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06/18/2026

There has been a lot of misinformation circulating about Scatter Joy Acres and our move to Florida, and we want to set the record straight.

We are not moving to avoid regulations, oversight, or taxes. In fact, Florida has some of the strictest regulations in the country regarding exotic animals and wildlife. The decision to relocate was made for one reason: to improve the quality of life for the animals in our care.

Many of our animals are species that naturally thrive in warm climates. Florida will allow them to enjoy larger, more natural habitats year-round, with more opportunities to forage, explore, swim, climb, and engage in natural behaviors. Our goal has always been to provide the best possible environment for our animals, and this move allows us to take that mission even further.

We have also seen false claims made about our animal care, our staff, and our facility. These accusations are not only untrue, but they are incredibly hurtful to the people who dedicate their lives to these animals every single day. Our team works tirelessly to provide proper nutrition, veterinary care, enrichment, clean habitats, and the highest level of care possible.

Our animals are not a business to us. They are family.

Every decision we make is based on what is best for them. We have spent years planning for this transition and investing in a future that gives our animals more space, more enrichment, and a more natural environment.

We welcome respectful questions and honest conversations. What we cannot support is the spread of rumors, conspiracy theories, and misinformation that misrepresent the work we do and the care our animals receive.

To our supporters, volunteers, visitors, and everyone who has stood by us through the years: thank you. Your support has helped us continue our mission, and we are excited for this next chapter.

At the end of the day, our focus remains exactly where it has always been—on the animals and giving them the best lives possible.

(Pictures of moonshine for attention)