About Us
Cracker Box Palace is a registered non-profit farm haven in Alton, NY. It is a unique place in Wayne County where farm animals of every kind come to recover from illness, neglect or abuse. Some of our residents come here due to family deaths, or because their owners can no longer give them the care they need. All animals are taught that they still have friends and all people are not bad. Families are assured that their beloved pets will not become someone’s dinner. Once the animals are given necessary adjustment time and veterinary care, they become available for new people to love through adoption or a unique foster care program.
A lot of hard work by Our Volunteers, Staff, and Board of Directors, in addition to Our Sponsors and the funds, services & items that are donated, is what keeps the farm alive and well. We also raise money for the animals by sponsoring different events during the year.
How we started
One day in the early 1990’s, Walt Roloson, a lifelong lover and trainer of horses was called on to help a group of Saddlebred horses. At that time, Walt had been working with green and troubled horses for about 50 years. These horses had fallen into neglect, shut into a barn from which some had never come out. They actually had to be taught to leave their stalls. Walt brought with him a few helping hands for the task. Among them were his daughter, Cheri, and Burt Madison.
Among the horses they taught to accept and lead on a halter that day, was a young colt. He had the kind of personality that makes some horses simply unforgettable. He was tall and gangly, deep copper red with a white stripe down his face, a "Can’t Touch This" attitude (even in his poor condition) and funny curved-in ears. This colt (later to become ‘Melvin’) was so weak that Walt had to trim his hooves while he was lying down. Melvin, and several other horses ended up going home with Walt that day.