When a farm animal has spent all or most of their days at our New York or California sanctuary, there is often a readily apparent difference in the way they see the world compared to those animal residents who have experienced the harms of factory farming and its cruel practices.

For example, Ashley lamb, born at Farm Sanctuary after her mother, Nirva’s rescue, is trusting toward her human caregivers and is endlessly joyful as she bounces and plays. Unlike Nirva, Ashley bears no physical or emotional scars. See how big and healthy she is now:

Below, you’ll meet some of the other rescues who have grown up at Farm Sanctuary!

In 2020, Shani and his guardian were looking for a safe place for their little family to land together, but when they reached a shelter for people experiencing homelessness, its staff could not take in a chicken. Thankfully, we could welcome Shani to Farm Sanctuary Los Angeles.

When Shani first arrived, he was so tiny and light that his weight didn’t even register on a scale! We gave him nutrient-dense food to help him grow, and soon enough, this chicken once believed to be a hen, surprised us by growing into a big rooster.

Today, handsome Shani’s living his best life, dustbathing and foraging in his forever home. He gets lovingly preened by the hens, especially his leading lady, Dolly Parton.

Want to symbolically adopt Shani? Learn how here!

Ironically, it was an accident that saved the life of Josie-Mae and her mom, Willow, in 2016. Born on a goat dairy farm, she most likely would have been sold for meat or used for breeding and milk like Willow, but one day, an injury cut off the circulation in both of Josie-Mae’s front legs. The farm’s owner could not afford the needed treatment, surrendering mom and kid to us.

Today, this adorable little goat and her mother are still together and love to graze side by side. Josie-Mae also enjoys getting her favorite snack: molasses! 

She gets around just fine with her prosthetic leg, even if she sometimes loses it in the pasture, leaving us to search the grass. But what wouldn’t we do for Josie-Mae?

Want to symbolically adopt Josie-Mae? Learn how here!

Nirva, Frannie, and Evie were among 10 sheep who came to us in 2023 after being rescued from a massive cruelty case in North Carolina. From tragedy came joy, as these pregnant sheep each gave birth to their lambs in the safety and care of sanctuary.

First came Nirva’s girl, Ashley, a loving and playful lamb who immediately melted our hearts. Then, Frannie welcomed her gentle son, Samson (seen above, on the right). Affectionately called Sams, he soon found two new friends—when Evie gave birth to sweet twins, Jeanne and Margaretta. Although their mothers once suffered, these lambs will know nothing but love.

Now, they’re all loving life together. While Ashley is still the most outgoing (and even bounces several feet in the air!), her excitement is contagious, and the others are likely to follow when she runs back and forth across the pasture. Samson is shyer but feels more confident in getting human affection when his sheep buddies are around. Jeanne and Margeretta are still always together and love to snuggle with their mom.

Like other male calves born on dairy farms, Dixon was deemed useless because he couldn’t make milk. Most are sold for meat—and little Dixon was posted on Craigslist free of charge. 

We’ll never know where he would’ve ended up if a kind rescuer hadn’t stepped in, but we were thrilled to welcome him into our herd and hearts.

He soon bonded with Leo calf, another male dairy survivor. We were overjoyed when he also found a chosen mom in Jackie cow—because Leo had been denied the care of his mother, and Jackie was grieving the loss of her calf. 

Together, they’ve healed, and Dixon has grown into a big, happy guy who still loves to be with Jackie. He is an absolute sweetheart and a buddy to all animals and people. One of the youngest in the herd, he’s quiet and laid-back but likes to be in the company of his friends; where they go, Dixon goes too.