Meet the Team: Lauren Hodges on the Key West most visitors never find
One of the things I love most about Key West is that, for all its glamour, it’s still a place where families put down roots — and there’s always another hidden corner waiting to surprise you. As Office Coordinator here at Brenda Donnelly Real Estate, I spend my days keeping the details in order behind the scenes. But on my own time, my favorite thing to do is chase down the island experiences that make people fall in love with living here. This one is my favorite of them all.
Tucked away on Stock Island is one of the Florida Keys’ most unexpected hidden gems — an animal sanctuary that sits, quite literally, beneath a jail.
Wait — Underneath a Jail?
Yes, really. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm lives in the sheltered space beneath the county’s elevated detention center, just off College Road. It’s home to around 150 rescued animals: Mo the sloth, Kramer the emu, alpacas, lemurs, tortoises, tropical birds, goats, and more — many of them abandoned, confiscated, or surrendered, and every one of them given a second chance here.
It’s the kind of place you’d never stumble upon by accident, which is exactly what makes it feel like a secret the locals get to keep.
A Story of Second Chances — on Both Sides of the Fence
Here’s the part that gives me chills every time. The story behind this farm is about so much more than the animals.
The sanctuary is cared for, in part, by inmates from the detention center above it — a program designed to help them rebuild responsibility, patience, and purpose through the daily work of tending to living creatures who depend on them. Rescued animals and people in need of a fresh start, quietly helping one another heal.
Second chances, on both sides of the fence. In a town this beautiful, it’s a reminder that the most meaningful things here aren’t always the ones on the postcards.
The Perfect Family Morning in Key West
This is one of my top recommendations for families — whether you’re raising children on the island or just visiting for a long weekend. The farm holds open houses on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, from 1 to 3 PM, and admission is completely free (though donations are always welcome and go straight back to caring for the animals).
It’s shaded, it’s relaxed, and it’s the kind of unhurried, genuinely local experience that reminds you why island living is so special. No lines, no crowds — just kids meeting a sloth for the first time and parents realizing they’re having just as much fun.
For families considering a move to Key West, days like this are the real selling point. The beaches and the sunsets are wonderful, but it’s the discovery of places like this — the ones you can only find once you actually live here — that turn a house into a home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the Sheriff’s Animal Farm located?
A: It’s on Stock Island, just off College Road, at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office headquarters complex — tucked into the sheltered space beneath the county’s elevated detention center, about a five-minute drive from Old Town Key West.
Q: When is it open to the public?
A: The farm holds open houses on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, from 1 to 3 PM. (Hours can shift seasonally, so it’s always worth confirming on the farm’s official page before you go.)
Q: How much does it cost to visit?
A: Admission is completely free. Donations are welcome and go directly toward caring for the animals.
Q: What animals will we see there?
A: Around 150 rescued animals call the farm home, including Mo the sloth, Kramer the emu, alpacas, lemurs, tortoises, tropical birds, goats, and many more — most of them rescued, surrendered, or confiscated and given a second chance.
Q: Is it good for young children?
A: Absolutely. It’s shaded, relaxed, and refreshingly uncrowded, which makes it one of the easiest and most memorable family outings on the island.
Q: Do the jail inmates really help care for the animals?
A: Yes. Caring for the animals is part of a rehabilitation program for inmates at the detention center above — a chance to rebuild responsibility and purpose. Second chances, on both sides of the fence.
Q: Can we arrange a private or group visit?
A: Group tours can sometimes be arranged outside of regular open-house hours by contacting the farm directly. Check their official page for current details.
Meet Lauren Hodges
Office Coordinator | Operations & Client Experience
Lauren Hodges is the operational backbone of Brenda Donnelly Real Estate and the connective force behind the firm’s daily excellence. As Office Coordinator, she ensures that every transaction, communication, and client interaction is executed with precision, professionalism, and care.
Lauren oversees internal operations, transaction management, scheduling, documentation, and team coordination. Her attention to detail and anticipatory problem-solving create a seamless experience for both clients and agents alike.
Known internally as the glue that holds the team together, Lauren plays a critical role in maintaining the firm’s boutique service model while upholding institutional-level standards — the quiet, exacting work that lets our clients experience nothing but ease.
Thinking about making Key West home? Our team would love to show you the island the way the locals live it.
Brenda Donnelly Real Estate 305.304.1116 · brenda@brendadonnelly.com 1119 White Street, Key West, FL 33040
Follow the farm: @mcsoanimalfarm