In animal agriculture (on factory farms and smaller farms with humane farming claims), humans control how animals live and die. Through selective breeding, farmed animals grow much larger and faster than their ancestors. Their bodies are taxed beyond their natural limits, and they’re killed at fractions of their lifespans—then replaced with younger animals to continue the cycle.

The United States slaughters nearly 10 billion land animals for food each year. Animal agriculture also harms workers, communities, public health, and the environment. And people do not “need” animals to survive — we can sustain our own lives without harming others.

The cows, pigs, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, and other rescued animals living at Farm Sanctuary have lives independent of human involvement. They have rich herd and flock dynamics. They have best friends, favorite pastimes, and favorite foods. We value them as individuals — not commodities.

On National Animal Rights Day (June 2, 2024) — and every day — we celebrate our dear friends living at Farm Sanctuary. These survivors are ambassadors for their species, demonstrating how we can live in harmony with animals. Read on to meet some members of our Sanctuary family and learn how you can help more animals like them.

Hayes is a red Holstein — a breed used for dairy — but since males can’t produce milk, they’re often slaughtered for veal or cheap beef. His previous owners purchased him for meat production but abandoned his care, leaving this growing boy without food and neglecting to pay rent for his shelter. The concerned property owner reached out for help, which eventually led Hayes to the safety and comfort of Sanctuary.

Hayes has since settled into his new life at Farm Sanctuary and has found new friends in his herd. He loves to explore and play and is free to live a full and happy life.

• Cows can live up to 20 years.
• Cows used for dairy are typically slaughtered within four to five years.
• In 2013, the average cow used for dairy produced more than 24,000 pounds of milk, compared with 11,500 pounds in 1979 and 5,300 in 1933.
• This unnaturally high level of milk production, the result of selective breeding to maximize profit, puts an unbearable strain upon the cows’ bodies, often resulting in painful mastitis infections.
• Male calves are killed between a day and 14 months old.
• Cows raised for beef are slaughtered between 12-15 months of age.

Ashburn lived on a factory egg farm where she was forced to lay eggs and deprived of the chance to be a mom. When the egg farm shut down, the farmer was tasked with the “depopulation” — better known as mass slaughter — of his hens. Instead, this farmer wanted to give the animals another chance, and after working with local activists, he relinquished 634 of the birds into safe and loving homes — one of which was Ashburn.

Since moving into her new, forever home at our sanctuary, Ashburn has blossomed into a bright and curious hen after receiving individualized care. Here, she’s free to live life on her terms.

• The average U.S. commercially raised hen lays around 285 eggs annually. She would lay only 10-15 eggs per year naturally.
  
• Commercially raised hens are bred to produce an unnatural number of eggs, which can lead to prolapse, egg impaction, nutrient deficiencies, fractures, and even death.
• “Organic,” “free-range,” “cage-free,” and other “humane” labels do not guarantee compassionate treatment.
• Most male chicks born into the egg industry are killed at birth–ground up alive or left to suffocate. They are deemed worthless because they can’t lay eggs, and their breeds are typically too small for meat production.
• Chickens can live an average lifespan of 6-10 years, but those raised for meat are slaughtered around 47 days old and egg-laying hens are slaughtered at around 18 months old.

In 2023, Blue pig came to Farm Sanctuary because his young guardian chose to be kind — and acted to save his life. Blue was raised as part of Future Farmers of America, a program that teaches children to raise animals for agricultural purposes. However, Blue’s kind human friend knew that he had a purpose all his own, coming to see him as an individual who deserved to live.

Blue’s family reached out to Farm Sanctuary for help and we acted quickly to bring Blue to his forever home: our Los Angeles sanctuary. He is now a happy, thriving pig who has adjusted well to the freedom and joy of his new life – and he loves getting belly rubs!

• Pigs can live an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
• Mother pigs used for breeding, aka “gestation sows,” are typically killed after two to three years.
• Their babies are killed at six months old and processed as pork.

Pippa was born on a farm that raises sheep for meat, and her fate would have likely been either slaughter or breeding had she been healthy. However, the farm reported that Pippa seemed partially blind and had an injured hind leg that went weeks without treatment. The farm asked if we could take in Pippa, and our Rescue and Placement team immediately arranged her transport to Farm Sanctuary.

These days, Pippa lives at our Los Angeles shelter with her best friend, Biscuit, a blind sheep who has taken her in as a companion. Through individualized care at Farm Sanctuary, Pippa can lead a rich and happy life filled with friendships, fun, and the agency to choose how she’d like to spend each day.

• Domestic sheep can live between 12-14 years or more.
• Sheep are exploited for wool, meat, and dairy.
• Lambs raised for meat are slaughtered at six months old.

Just ahead of Thanksgiving 2023, Trudy turkey arrived at Farm Sanctuary, where she will live out her life in peace and freedom. Her rescue before a holiday that claims the lives of tens of millions of turkeys each year is a poignant reminder that turkeys deserve our kindness every single day. 

Trudy had come from a farm where a fox attack killed all of the other birds in her flock. Trudy’s guardian knew that she shouldn’t be alone, so she turned to us for help. Soon after arriving at Farm Sanctuary, Trudy was already cuddling up to her new human friends and “purring.”

Trudy is affectionate, talkative, and social, bringing a calming presence to the flock. Her friend Tutu often turns to her for comfort.

• The ancestors of domesticated turkeys can live up to 13 years in the wild.
• Turkeys are slaughtered for meat between four and five months old.
• Each year, around 46 million U.S. turkeys are killed for the Thanksgiving holiday alone.
• On factory farms, turkeys and other farmed birds cruel “debeaking,” in which their beaks are seared or cut with no pain relief.

Jaime and his best friends Earl and Ian were rescued from severe neglect and came to Farm Sanctuary together. The goats had been starved and kept inside filthy, overcrowded barns. Despite this mistreatment, the property owners advertised “humane” farm-to-table products. When the trio first joined us, they were hesitant to leave their barn; they had never been outside before. Yet, their strong bond and love for each other gave them the strength to heal.

They are now some of the most playful members of their herd and are often spotted cuddling, their bodies pressed against each other with their necks intertwined.

• Goats can live between 15 and 22 years.
• Goats in animal agriculture are exploited for meat and milk.
• Most goats are slaughtered for meat by the time they’re six months old.

Farm Sanctuary is also home to rescued ducks, geese, donkeys, and horses. Hundreds of rescued animals call our New York and California shelters home. Most are survivors of animal agriculture and abuse, neglect, or other exploitation. They were bred for one purpose: to die.

At Farm Sanctuary, however, we value them as individuals: as someone, not something. They live out their natural lives in freedom. We provide nourishing food, safe barns and warm beds, individualized care, and love. They live with us — not for us.

Letting go of our need to exploit and take from animals brings joy and freedom for humans and animals. Check out our handy guide to starting a plant-based diet.