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.
Growing Up at Farm Sanctuary: What Life Should Look Like for Farm Animals
![Two lambs play with purple ball Two lambs play with purple ball](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2024/08/07101534/2024_05-02_FSNY_Jeanne_and_Margaretta_lambs_playing_LH_5090-1600x1065.jpg)
Growing Up at Farm Sanctuary: What Life Should Look Like for Farm Animals
Most farm animals live and die caught up in the grasp of animal agriculture. At Farm Sanctuary, some of our rescued residents spend most of their lives in the peace and safety of our care—and a lucky few are born here, knowing a whole lifetime of love.
![Lamb plays and runs after Farm Sanctuary staff Lamb plays and runs after Farm Sanctuary staff](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2024/08/07101845/Ashley-running-after-me-IMG_9509.gif)
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:
![Close-up portrait of young sheep Close-up portrait of young sheep](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2024/08/07102019/2024_07-17_FSNY_Ashley_sheep_LH_0031-1600x1065.jpg)
Below, you’ll meet some of the other rescues who have grown up at Farm Sanctuary!
Shani
![A small rooster stands on a caregiver's wrists A small rooster stands on a caregiver's wrists](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2024/08/07102313/2020_09_18_FSAC_Shani_Chicken_CREDIT_Farm_Sanctuary_DSC0289-1067x1600.jpg)
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.
![Close-up portrait of rescued rooster at sanctuary Close-up portrait of rescued rooster at sanctuary](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2024/08/07103019/2024_05_29_Shani_Rooster_DM_9457-1067x1600.jpg)
Want to symbolically adopt Shani? Learn how here!
Josie-Mae
![Mother and baby goat touch faces at sanctuary Mother and baby goat touch faces at sanctuary](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2024/08/07103229/2016_07-18_FSNY_Josie_Mae_and_Willow_goat_DSC_7853_CREDIT_Farm_Sanctuary-1600x1060.jpg)
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?
![Rescued goat with prosthetic leg at sanctuary Rescued goat with prosthetic leg at sanctuary](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2024/08/07104055/2024_05-02_FSNY_Josie_Mae_goat_LH_5469-1065x1600.jpg)
Samson
![Three rescued lambs lay next to each other Three rescued lambs lay next to each other](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2024/08/07111048/Jeanne_Margaretta_Samson.jpg)
Samson (right) sits next to friends Jeanne & Margaretta
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.
![Rescued sheep lays in barn Rescued sheep lays in barn](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2024/08/07111315/2024_07-17_FSNY_Samson_sheep_LH_0052-1600x1065.jpg)
Samson, now. Look at those little budding horns!
![Rescued mother sheep snuggles her lamb Rescued mother sheep snuggles her lamb](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2024/08/07111654/ALH_1770-1-1600x1065.jpg)
Margaretta, now (right). She still loves cuddles with her mama, Evie.
Dixon
![Dixon calf touches noses with Safran steer through a green fence Dixon calf touches noses with Safran steer through a green fence](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2021/12/03181444/2020-aafa-treeline-dixon-parallax-1600x1067.jpg)
Little Dixon boops noses with Safran steer
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.
![Dixon_steer_Farm Sanctuary_volunteer Dixon_steer_Farm Sanctuary_volunteer](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2024/08/07112159/2024_04_20_FSAC_Dixon_Cow_DM_8312-1600x1067.jpg)
Dixon, now, with a volunteer
Create Change for Farm Animals
![Josie-Mae goat at Farm Sanctuary Josie-Mae goat at Farm Sanctuary](https://assets.farmsanctuary.org/content/uploads/2024/02/09162628/2016_07-18_FSNY_Josie_Mae_goat_DSC_7772_CREDIT_Farm_Sanctuary-scaled.jpg)
We know we can’t save every individual from animal agriculture, but with the help of our supporters, Farm Sanctuary rescues and transforms the lives of as many farm animals as possible while advocating for change for those still suffering.
Life is like a dream for those animals who have grown up in our care, but their experience should be the reality for all. Every farm animal should live free from cruelty and neglect. Help us keep working toward that goal.