Five years ago, Farm Sanctuary, with the help of Joaquin Phoenix, rescued Liberty and her newly born calf, Indigo, from this same facility and brought them to our nearby shelter in Acton. Today, as we continue to care for these and other survivors from Manning Beef, we hope that one slaughterhouse will not be replaced with another one.

The findings of Animal Outlook’s recent investigation are alarming. Cows showing visible signs of consciousness are seen being skinned or stabbed. While this level of violence is shocking, suffering is no isolated incident for dairy cows. 

At the end of a life of exploitation—being impregnated each year, having their calves taken from them, and producing an unnaturally high amount of milk due to their selective breeding for maximal profit—cows used for dairy are sent to slaughter at around 4.5 to 6 years old. Many suffer from mastitis infections, and some are exhausted, injured, or ill when they reach the slaughterhouse. Some are cruelly forced to the killing floor, where they all face the same fate as cows raised for meat. In fact, around 3 million cows used for dairy are slaughtered for beef each year in the U.S.

Amid the smell of blood and terror, Liberty gave birth. Thankfully, this new mom and her daughter were surrendered to Farm Sanctuary. The following year, in 2021, 40 cows escaped from Manning Beef and ran for their lives through the streets of Los Angeles. Two of these animals, June B. Free and Susan came to live at Farm Sanctuary, too, with support from award-winning songwriter Diane Warren. Having healed from their past trauma, June and Susan are inseparable, much like Indigo and her protective and doting mother, Liberty.

The lives and love of these gentle beings are a moving example of the deep emotional connections cows share. At sanctuary, Indigo has grown up free of exploitation—something too few farm animals ever get to experience, let alone the chance to know the nurturing care of their mothers. 

In 2020, one day after winning an Academy Award for Best Actor, Phoenix joined us and carried young Indigo in his arms to begin this life of peace and belonging.

Every cow deserves the chance to be safe and free. The chance to live. May Manning Beef’s final day in business mark the last time these sentient beings were killed in the City of Angels.