Blue Heart Sanctuary
A Sacred Space Devoted to Peace, Compassion, and Remembrance.
Our Heart, Our Mission
The Blue Heart Sanctuary is a heart-centered animal sanctuary and healing nature retreat in Western North Carolina. This is a place of refuge where rescued animals and people alike rediscover connection, presence, and deep inner calm.
Born from a simple yet powerful vision, this sanctuary has evolved into a peaceful oasis where healing unfolds organically through gentleness, nature, and the unconditional love of animals. Much more than a home for animals rescued from abuse and neglect, Blue Heart is a living prayer… a sacred space devoted to peace, compassion, and the remembering of what truly matters.
Here, animals who have healed into their fullest expression now hold a loving presence for all who visit. They offer quiet companionship and soulful connection. In their presence, something within us softens. We slow down, listen, and remember how to feel again.
Nestled on 40 acres of sacred Cherokee land in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this nonprofit 501(c)3 offers guided tours, overnight stays, restorative retreats, and soul-nourishing programs that support healing for children, adults, and communities.
Surrounded by mountains, forest, and the quiet wisdom of the heart, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the stillness of nature and reconnect with the peace within.
Whether you’re visiting for a moment of respite or walking alongside us in this mission of Love in Action, you become part of a greater circle of care.
Together, we remember how to live in harmony with the Earth, the animals, and one another.
Feel the Love
Guided Animal Sanctuary Tours
Walk gently among our rescued animals, hear their stories, and feel the warmth of their trust. Each encounter is a reminder of resilience, forgiveness, and love in its purest form.
Blue Heart Welcomes You
Stays
Immerse yourself in the stillness of the mountains. Our overnight stays offer time for rest, reflection and renewal. Let the rhythm of nature and the quiet presence of animals at the Sanctuary guide you back to balance.
Retreats
Surrounded by the serenity of the land and the loving companionship of the animals, our restorative retreats nurture the body, soothe the heart and awaken the spirit. Step away from the noise of everyday life… slow down, listen deeply and remember the peace that has always been within you.
Offerings
Discover offerings designed to restore balance, awaken joy, and deepen connection. From alternative healing therapies, animal-integrated experiences, ceremonies, and nature adventures, each invitation supports your well-being and helps you reconnect with the peace, wisdom, and magic of the land.
Book a Stay
Explore Retreats
DISCOVER OFFERINGS
Support the Sanctuary
Every act of giving helps sustain this Sanctuary of love, healing, and transformation.
Your support not only provides food, shelter, and daily care for our rescued animals, it also helps cultivate a space where people can reconnect with themselves, find peace, and experience the restorative power of nature and compassionate presence.
As a non-profit 501(c)(3), Blue Heart Sanctuary depends on the generosity of our community to remain a place open to all who seek connection, clarity, and renewal.
Whether you are contributing to the ongoing care of the animals, supporting our Light After the Storm program, or helping us expand our offerings, your partnership directly creates positive change.
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a tangible difference and is deeply appreciated.
Tax-deductible contributions can be made through any of the Donate buttons below.
What Guests Say:
Sonia
October 2023
We stayed one weekend at the cabin and it was fantastic. The nights were cold, but we got a heater and hats which was very nice. The warm shower works great. We were able to feed the donkey apples from the farm. All the animals were very welcoming (cats, dogs, sheep).
Kimberlee
October 2023
Such a lovely, lovely property. We look forward to returning when we can stay longer, and enjoy the beautiful drive up the mountain for an earlier check in. Unique and magical experiences abound! Amma was an amazing host – so helpful and quick to communicate.
Niko
October 2023
The cabin is in an serene environment next to a little creek- I don’t remember when we last slept so well as here Inside- it’s cute and has everything you need. The queen bed was very comfortable, local water provided was delicious. Amma is a fantastic human and gracious, great host! My girlfriend could spontaneously attend her cacao ceremony in the morning and loved it Highly recommend!
Monika
September 2023
My husband and I enjoyed our stay it was clean and provided all we needed . The area is absolutely beautiful and so peaceful . We enjoyed staying on the farm we had total access to the animals we enjoyed our time with the sheep and goats . Amma is so friendly and accommodating she continued to check in and made sure we had what we needed. We highly recommend and we can’t wait to visit again !
Noah
May 2022
This was such a wonderful stay! Camping in style in a magical fairy land complete with sheep and goats! Amazing bang for your buck. This animal sanctuary is a holy land for animals and humans alike. Amazing hospitality and peaceful stay! We will definitely be back!
Natalie
June 2022
Amma is a beautiful and gentle spirit who strives to give you the most peaceful experience possible. If you are looking to unplug from the noise of life and find a place to sit and think undistracted, this is the place for you. It was a delightful retreat.
Matt
July 2022
Very charming and secluded place. Great location for a soul and mind recharge. Nothing but positives to say!!!
Cami
August 2022
I had the urge to go on a last minute mountain trip by myself and this was the first place I stumbled upon. I’m so glad I listened to my intuition. This place feels so welcoming, loving, and overall the most peaceful place I’ve ever been to. It’s not often that I find myself pausing and observing life as it is without having any judgements about it, but it is super easy to do here. All of her animals are so sweet and her land has tons of wildlife to observe. I’m coming back very soon!
Jessica
September 2022
Great quiet cabin off the beaten path with wonderful Mountain Views. The sheep and goats are at your front door and my kids loved this. Everything is down to earth including Amma. Very accommodating and super friendly. Great stay for my two kids (5 & 8) and myself for the night.
Stephanie
September 2022
Amma was a top tier host, her communication was 10/10 and as a solo traveler, She went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable getting assisted to the dome since I arrived after dark to check in. The dome was everything it’s pictured to be and more, it was immaculate and every detail is both comforting and inviting. Amma makes this magic little dome the perfect oasis to recharge and experience the mountains as close to camping as possible. Every detail, down to the delicious teas, spring water, and extra comforters were thought out and it SHOWED. I can’t say enough good things about this space, even the furry friends (the sweetest dogs and goats which are kept away if animals aren’t your thing!) made the stay extra special. If you’re looking to unplug and recharge, this is the place you need to stay. I know I’ll be back soon!
Juan
October 2022
Amma is a wonderful host that will go out her way to make you feel at home. The sanctuary is a peaceful place to relax and disconnect from hustle and bustle of daily life. It is truly a peaceful place to be and enjoy the animals and the quiet surroundings. I will definitely stay at the sanctuary next time I am in the area!
Chloe
October 2022
It’s obvious how much careful intention and thought was put into this dome to create a healing & peaceful experience. Not only is the listing accurate but it doesn’t do it justice in terms of really showcasing the dome’s precious nuances. Amma’s touches, from the crystals to the fresh spring water, is incredibly thoughtful and well-intended. She accommodated our late check-in and still walked us to the dome despite it being pitch black outside. In the morning, we went and saw some sheep and goats that were there and also spotted quite a few deer roaming around. Magical experience, one of my favorite places i’ve stayed in. I absolutely intend to come back. Thanks Amma.
Sierra
November 2022
Great location! Very unique and beautiful. We had an amazing time exploring the property and visiting with the animals. Amma was a great host. Very accommodating and helpful. She supplies all the amenities needed to stay comfortable like fresh springwater, heating, shower, bathroom and electricity. Can’t wait for our next stay! Highly recommend! It was a 10 out of 10 experience!
Jana
November 2022
Wonderful, peaceful, and spiritual. We definitely recommend this stay to anyone looking for a reset. The goats and dogs were very friendly! They did well with our toddler son. The dome stayed warm with the small heater. We loved roasting smart dogs and beyond burgers on the fire. Our favorite spot was the blue bench over looking the running water, a wonderful place for meditation/prayer. Amma was very kind and seemed to genuinely care about our stay. Which is hard to come by. This was definitely a powerful spiritual retreat. We hope to return in the spring!
Jack
January 2023
Oh wow. Such a tremendous place. The area is beautiful and there is a ton of hiking and other wilderness activities within a short drive. The actual property was equally beautiful to the surrounding area, in fact probably even better; there were plenty of animals, some little ponds, and really clear views of the night sky. The cabin was tightly insulated and very cozy. It obviously gets cold at night, but there were plenty of blankets, and I was never uncomfortable. Amma was a very friendly host and provided incredibly detailed instructions. I would definitely return here.
Karen
January 2023
I had a wonderful private stay at The Dome. Amma was nothing short of amazing, ensuring I had everything I needed. I didn’t have much time to explore the land, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t an extremely productive & spiritual experience. Amma is a true source of light, joy, and love. I have been too wrapped up in everyday life. She helped me unblock my heart chakra with the Cacao ceremony. She is extremely accommodating, kind, and informative. I’ve learned so much, and I don’t plan to stop. The Dome is well-lit, with solar accents to help light the way in the dark. Amma greeted me with open arms, and no agenda. It was a magical stay. I’ve already rebooked for March and can’t wait to go back! Thank you, Amma, for taking that leap of faith years ago, so I could have this experience.
Heather
March 2023
I had the most peaceful and rejuvenating stay at the Zen Dome. Everything was exactly as described, yet so much more. It was the perfect spot for a little getaway to relax and recharge from the craziness of life. Amma was so kind and helpful. She checked in several times to make sure I didn’t need anything. The property itself is beautiful, the animals were a joy to watch and visit with, and the sounds of the creek flowing nearby was just what I needed. The dome itself was private, clean, and comfortable. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Ayla
April 2023
Peaceful paradise surrounded by nature! We felt right at home! Amma was so sweet and had great communication! The animals are amazing! It was so worth the adventure and cannot wait to go back! If you are looking for a positive get a way from the city life, this is the place for you!
Kristin
June 2023
This was the most wonderful and peaceful weekend stay. We left feeling rested and relaxed and ready to return. Amma is amazing and such a kind person, she made us feel so at home and we can’t wait to return! I can’t begin to tell you the shift in the mood with everyone after our visit. Thank you!!!
Jose
June 2023
It’s hard to describe the actual feeling you get being at this place, Amma has created such a peaceful environment in nature the deer will walk right up to you. There’s areas to explore at the sanctuary and lots of animals to look at. It’s the perfect getaway from todays society and would suggest to turn you phone on airplane mode and enjoy the sounds of nature. Thank you, Amma for having us and look forward to our return. The cacao was delicious and would highly recommend it!
Carly
July 2023
Amma’s space is beautiful & peaceful. The Zen Dome was clean and calm and had everything you could need. The outdoor shower was lovely and so was the walk through the goat pen to get there. We loved the good vibrations and love that surrounds the space and the happy energy it instills. We suggest dipping your feet in the natural mountain streams and visiting the goats! We cannot stress how beautiful and worth while our stay was and wish we could go back.
Scott
July 2023
It was such a pleasure staying on this beautiful property. Amma was a great host. This is a peaceful sanctuary that puts you directly in nature with awesome animals. I feel healed after staying in this space.
Myeka
September 2023
I will likely think of this place forever! It really is an oasis away from everything. it’s peaceful. everyone is kind. Recommended for anyone who’s been stressed
Jayce
September 2023
This was the perfect place for a hard-reset. The fresh night air and clear view of the stars were just the icing on the cake. Amma was very helpful and responsive. Wish we could have stayed longer, but we will definitely be back! Estrella the donkey was the star of our stay. She kept us company from a distance, but by morning she was right by the gate to see us out with all of her charm. We love this space, cause and hope to visit again soon!
Lillian
September 2023
Beautiful peaceful place to rest and enjoy the splendor of the mountains. Amma is super nice and a caring soul. Fell in love with her animals!
