Billions of farmed animals are abused and killed in the U.S. each year, and of course, we want to save them all. Yet, even with good intentions, animal rescuers may not prioritize an individual’s welfare due to a speciesist mindset.

In more progressive zoos, enclosures are often designed specifically for the animals within them, filled with plants, water features, physical structures, and interactive setups. This is because, in the wild, animals are free to explore, engage in natural behavior, and live where and with whom they want to. When zoos confine wild animals, they significantly decrease their welfare and, as a result, often design their enclosures to mimic their natural habitat to provide better welfare.

Now, imagine a shelter or sanctuary. These may include empty spaces and open, empty pastures. Rescued farm animals often come from a life where they’re severely confined, mutilated, and neglected, so just a barn or pasture is lightyears better than what they had before. But when we think this is enough, we devalue a farm animal’s welfare. 

Instead, we should compare their living conditions to natural ones! So, what do Red Junglefowl like to do in the wild? Where do wild goats prefer to spend their time? With this new mindset, we can use enrichment to provide more complex and appropriate environments.

At Farm Sanctuary, enrichment for every animal in our care is a priority. Below are a few fun examples of the vital enrichment we offer our residents and why.

Even at the best sanctuaries, captivity significantly reduces new and rotating experiences an individual would encounter in a changing wild environment. So, incorporating rotating and novel aspects into an individual’s environment and routine is incredibly important to supplement these natural experiences.

Pigs, including Blue, are remarkably intelligent individuals. By offering this splash pad and other rotating items, we provide him with new experiences to support his mental health.

Non-human animals, like us, explore the world using their senses, so we should offer opportunities for engagement through touch, smell, taste, and sound. Examples include grooming pads, scented objects, novelty treats or meals, and music or nature sounds.

Changing, moving lights allows birds to participate in sight of prey behavior. Many chickens like to chase and peck at them. 

Offering food in appealing ways and introducing new foods can allow the individual to engage with their meal in an interesting and species-specific manner. Doing this may also help solve complications you’re having with them during mealtime.

This treat ball supports Tutu turkey by shifting her focus during meal times, as she is a highly food-focused person, and by encouraging foraging behavior through cognitive stimulation.

Cognitive stimulation is integral to anyone’s life and mental health. In captivity, your meals are planned and provided, your space is laid out for you, and you’re given shelter and protection from predators. While these aspects support an individual’s physical well-being, they reduce the cognitive stimulation that someone experiences. Offering appropriate challenges like puzzles or opportunities to forage and build nests supports natural behaviors and can improve mental health.

Valentine cow was temporarily separated for medical reasons, so we supplemented her social and cognitive needs with a welfare plan, including daily puzzles and other challenges.

A captive animal’s experience is limited to their enclosure, so environmental enrichment dictates every moment of their life! Varying options for sleeping, nesting, climbing, exploring, grooming, and foraging are crucial. A space should be appropriate for the species and individuals residing there.

Dust bathing is a necessary grooming activity for birds like Helen Marie and Vanna. It is therapeutic, supporting a bird’s mental and physical health.

Ollie goat is very friendly and can become too pushy for attention when she tries to play. Offering her a safe social activity that redirects her focus can help foster positive social engagements and reduce her frustration when others don’t want to play.

Like all animals, rescued farm animals deserve to live a life supporting their natural behaviors and preferences. They deserve to learn, explore, play, forge social bonds, and so much more.

The fact is that enrichment is vital to the welfare of these complex beings.