Life on the Bella Hampton Farm: A Sanctuary for Rescued Animals

On a 10-acre property in Kaufman County, Nestor Eduardo Estrada, the director of Bella Hampton Farm Foundation, provides a home for rescued animals, including dogs, horses, and other farm creatures. While the farm’s dog barn is larger than Estrada’s own 900-square-foot house, running the sanctuary is not without its challenges. With funding dwindling, Estrada, who does not take a salary, utilizes various fundraising strategies to sustain the farm, including monthly raffles featuring original artwork by his husband, Cesar Aragon.

Descendents of a grocery crisis during the pandemic, Estrada and Aragon moved from Oak Cliff to Kemp, where they initially focused on food production before shifting to animal rescue. Despite the difficulties, including necessary transportation costs for rescued pets, Estrada finds solace and purpose in rehabilitating animals and sending them to loving homes. Monthly raffles and donations play a crucial role in keeping the foundation afloat.