In fact, cows remind us a lot of dogs, and there’s a reason they’re known as “grass puppies.” But if you’ve never met a cow, there’s probably a lot you don’t know about them—yet. Sadly, more than 34 million cows are slaughtered each year in the U.S. alone because these intelligent animals are too often seen as commodities to be used for milk and meat. 

Get to know these remarkable animals as individuals. Below are just a few of our residents changing how the world sees cows.

At 25 years old, Honey is the oldest living resident at our New York sanctuary. Surrendered by a guardian who could no longer provide her care, Honey has been with us for nearly six years. She is beloved by all who meet her!

It may be a shock that cows can reach their 20s because, in the dairy industry, they are treated as mere commodities—slaughtered at around 5-6 years old, when they can no longer produce milk and be profitable. We are thankful that Honey can enjoy her golden years, as every cow deserves.

Olive cow ran for her life. Billions of farm animals are slaughtered for food each year, but when an individual animal escapes their fate, people tend to come together and cheer for them. There’s something about not just the desire to survive, but the will to live, that we can all relate to. 

Olive was among several cows who escaped a New York dairy farm. The others were rounded up and sold, but Olive clung to her newfound freedom. Locals reached out to us for help when they realized she was likely pregnant, and sadly, Olive lost her calf. This was a fate she had likely endured before in the dairy industry, where calves and cows are separated so that their milk can be sold for human consumption. But her resilience continues to inspire, as Olive realizes she is safe and loved at sanctuary—and even greets her caregivers (and snacks!) with joy.

Liberty got to raise and care for her daughter, Indigo, nurturing the deep bond between mother and calf—an experience most farmed cows are denied. Indigo was born at a slaughterhouse, where Liberty was just moments from death, but the slaughterhouse owner did not kill new mothers or calves, and both of these gentle cows were surrendered to Farm Sanctuary.

Always watching over adventurous Indigo, Liberty is still constantly by her daughter’s side five years after their rescue. You may not know that cows are caring, protective, and nurturing mothers, and Liberty makes that clear to see every day.

Cows are not only good mothers to their own families, but they live in close-knit, matriarchal herds. Cows may be mother figures to others in their herd, and have even been known to “adopt” and care for orphaned calves! We’ve witnessed several moving examples at Farm Sanctuary, including the incredible bond between Jackie cow and Dixon steer.

Jackie was grieving the loss of her calf when she met young Dixon. As a male born on a dairy farm, Dixon was considered unprofitable and listed for free on Craigslist. But to Jackie, Dixon was priceless, cherished for who he was and the family he brought into her life. Together, these two have found love and healing.

We know we can’t save every farm animal, but those we rescue become ambassadors for the billions suffering in our food system. Every day, they open eyes to the inner lives of farm animals, change hearts and minds, and inspire kinder choices.