Norm rooster at Farm Sanctuary

Why Farm Animals?

Norm rooster at Farm Sanctuary
Farm animals are among the most abused creatures on Earth.
An estimated 77,047,000,959 land animals were slaughtered worldwide for food in 2018. Many were raised on factory farms, which maximize agribusiness profits at the expense of the animals, the environment, social justice, and public health.

Animal Agriculture Causes Immense Suffering

  • A calf straining against a chain from his veal crate.

    Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals

    It hurts animals.

    Far from the idyllic pastures shown in ads, factory farms typically consist of large numbers of animals raised in extreme confinement, who undergo painful mutilations and are bred to grow fast and large before being slaughtered at a young age.

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  • Burning of the Amazon rainforest at dusk to increase livestock grazing area and agriculture activities Area already deforested in the foreground.

    Photo: PARALAXIS/shutterstock.com

    It hurts our planet.

    Animal agriculture produces staggering quantities of waste and greenhouse gases, polluting our land, air, and water and contributing to climate change, land degradation, and the destruction of ecosystems.

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  • Poultry workers processing chicken gender; Photo credit: C.Lotongkum / Shutterstock

    Photo: C.Lotongkum/shutterstock.com

    It hurts workers and communities.

    Employees suffer long hours, are at high risk for mental and physical trauma, and receive nominal pay. Oftentimes, facilities are in low-income communities of color, who experience health ailments due to the toxic practices of agribusiness.

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  • Elderly man's pulse being taken.

    Photo: Matthias Zomer / Pexels

    It hurts our health.

    The feeds, hormones, and antibiotics used on factory farms put humans at risk for chronic disease, obesity, and drug-resistant bacteria, and pose the threat of major zoonotic disease outbreaks.

    Learn More
  • A calf straining against a chain from his veal crate.

    Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals

    It hurts animals.

    Far from the idyllic pastures shown in ads, factory farms typically consist of large numbers of animals raised in extreme confinement, who undergo painful mutilations and are bred to grow fast and large before being slaughtered at a young age.

    Learn More
  • It hurts our planet.

    Animal agriculture produces staggering quantities of waste and greenhouse gases, polluting our land, air, and water and contributing to climate change, land degradation, and the destruction of ecosystems.

    Learn More
    Burning of the Amazon rainforest at dusk to increase livestock grazing area and agriculture activities Area already deforested in the foreground.

    Photo: PARALAXIS/shutterstock.com

  • Poultry workers processing chicken gender; Photo credit: C.Lotongkum / Shutterstock

    Photo: C.Lotongkum/shutterstock.com

    It hurts workers and communities.

    Employees suffer long hours, are at high risk for mental and physical trauma, and receive nominal pay. Oftentimes, facilities are in low-income communities of color, who experience health ailments due to the toxic practices of agribusiness.

    Learn More
  • It hurts our health.

    The feeds, hormones, and antibiotics used on factory farms put humans at risk for chronic disease, obesity, and drug-resistant bacteria, and pose the threat of major zoonotic disease outbreaks.

    Learn More
    Elderly man's pulse being taken.

    Photo: Matthias Zomer / Pexels

Watkins Glen Aerial Sheep Barn
But there is hope.
In recent years, science has confirmed the inhumane and disastrous impact of animal agriculture. The result is the beginning of a new food economy based on plants—not animals—and the spark of a cultural awakening.

what we do

Farm Sanctuary fights the disastrous effects of animal agriculture on animals, the environment, social justice, and public health through rescue, education, and advocacy.

Our 2020 Impact

Creating Change for Animals

Cameron Piglet at Farm Sanctuary

922

farm animals provided healing, life-affirming Sanctuary

Venus Goat enjoying a snack in a field at Farm Sanctuary

22k

students reached through our in-classroom humane education program

2014_11-26_fsor_utopia_cows_11-2014_037_credit_connie_pugh-3

85k

advocacy actions taken by our community

Glinda chicken at Farm Sanctuary

17M

social media likes, comments, and shares on our mission messaging

Liam sheep at Farm Sanctuary

1B

potential aggregate audience reached through op-eds & interviews

Join the Movement

Only by working together can we create a healthy and sustainable future for our planet, and all of the human and nonhuman animals with whom we share it.

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    Eat More Plants

    Are you interested in pursuing a compassionate vegan lifestyle? We’re here to help.

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  • Martin rooster at Farm Sanctuary

    Take Action for Animals

    Help advance our advocacy efforts by reaching out to government officials and demanding policy changes.

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  • Benedict goat and guest at Farm Sanctuary. Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur

    Visit Our Sanctuaries

    Meet our residents and hear their stories of struggle and survival, which illustrate the harsh realities farm animals face in our food system.

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  • Frank Steer at Farm Sanctuary's New York shelter

    Adopt a Farm Animal

    No barn required! Farm Sanctuary’s shelter animals are in need of loving “parents” to sponsor their monthly feed, shelter, and veterinary care costs.

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  • Mia pig in the mud at Farm Sanctuary

    Make a Donation

    When you donate to Farm Sanctuary, you make a difference in the lives of animals—at our Sanctuaries and beyond.

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  • Farm Sanctuary staff member with sheep. Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur

    Be The Change

    Come join a compassionate team of changemakers who are interested in making the world a better place.

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