Guidelines & Expectations

We’re glad you’re considering spending time with us at Peepal Farm. Living and working here is a shared experience built around compassion, respect, and care — for the animals, the people, and the space itself.

These guidelines help things run smoothly and keep everyone safe and comfortable.

At the Farm

• If, for any reason, things are not working out, we reserve the right to ask someone to leave.

• Please plan to arrive between 9:15 am – 12:00 pm or 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. If you cannot arrive during these hours, please make alternate arrangements for your stay until the next available arrival window.

• Peepal Farm is an alcohol-free space. Please do not consume alcohol or arrive intoxicated, including in the mud bungalows.

• We are a vegan space, so please do not bring meat or dairy products onto the property.

• Please be mindful of the people around you. During work hours and shared quiet times, try to keep noise moderate and be considerate of everyone sharing the space. Quiet hours are before 7:00 am and after 9:00 pm.

• If you come across an injured animal, please let us know rather than bringing them to the farm yourself. We’ll assess the situation and decide the best course of action.

• Please enjoy the gardens, but don’t harvest or eat the produce.

• If you turn something on, please remember to switch it off when finished — especially the water heater, which uses a lot of electricity and can become dangerous if left on.

• Many things around the farm are arranged intentionally. Please leave furniture, plugs, and equipment where they are unless asked otherwise.

• Rural infrastructure can be fragile. If you notice an electrical or plumbing issue, or want to change something, please let us know instead of trying to fix it yourself.

• The kitchen facilities are reserved for permanent residents and the cooking team.

• Please remove your shoes before entering the dining area, and avoid using phones there so everyone can share the space mindfully.

• Please stay on the paths whenever possible, including using the porch instead of walking through the grass.

• Kindly clean up after yourself. If something needs attention — like a toilet needing a scrub — please help take care of it.

• Used toilet paper should go in the bathroom bin, not in the toilet, as the septic system clogs very easily.

• If you create non-recyclable or non-biodegradable waste, please store it and take it with you when you leave.

• Staff spaces — including staff rooms, toilets, and showers — are private spaces. Please respect those boundaries.

• Please keep personal belongings inside your room. The dogs love “finding treasures,” and unfortunately they also love shredding them.

• Please do not feed the animals unless specifically instructed. Many animals are on special diets or medications, and the wrong food can seriously harm them. Similarly, if you are helping with treatments, always ask before giving any medication.

• If you’d like to take a dog for a walk, please let us know beforehand so we don’t worry that someone has gone missing.

• Please treat the buildings and shared spaces gently and respectfully. A lot of love and work has gone into creating this place.

• Always close gates carefully behind you. In dog areas especially, make sure one gate is fully latched before opening the next.

• We ask everyone to be respectful of local customs and the surrounding community. Clothing that may feel completely normal elsewhere can sometimes be seen differently in rural India.

  For everyone’s comfort and safety, we request modest clothing around the farm and nearby villages. This includes avoiding very short shorts, low-cut tops, see-through clothing, or clothing that may draw unwanted attention. We appreciate your understanding and sensitivity to the local culture.

• At the heart of Peepal Farm is the intention to reduce suffering wherever we can. We hope that spirit guides the way we work, live, and interact with one another.

If rules are repeatedly ignored after reminders from staff, we may ask someone to leave the farm.

We work closely as a team and rely on people being respectful, cooperative, and willing to follow guidance. If you strongly prefer doing things entirely your own way, this may not be the right environment for you.

At Peepal Farm Homestay

• Animals are not allowed inside rooms unless specifically permitted.

• Please keep rooms reasonably clean and tidy. Food scraps and clutter can attract mice, termites, and insects into the shared house.

• Since this is a shared space, please keep noise and activities considerate of others around you.

• Meat is not allowed anywhere on the property.

• The property is alcohol-free, including intoxication.

We’re looking for people who genuinely care about helping animals and contributing positively to a shared space. Curiosity, kindness, openness to learning, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team are all deeply appreciated here.

If that sounds like you, we’d love to welcome you.

Please read the entire Volunteer FAQ before coming.