Lazarus once lived in a home, but when his guardians were evicted, they could no longer care for him. That’s when this gentle rooster found himself at a local shelter.

Tatiana, a supporter and longtime friend of Farm Sanctuary, is always on the lookout for birds who need help—but it’s no surprise that Lazarus, in particular, caught her eye.

Lazarus is an Ayam Cemani, a breed of chicken from Indonesia, traditionally used in spiritual ceremonies. A dominant gene creates their beautiful black feathers, skin, beaks, and even organs and bones. Incredibly rare, these birds are not used in large-scale meat production, but they’re increasingly being raised and sold in countries around the world, sometimes by breeders who sell them for thousands of dollars as “show chickens.”

When Tatiana saw that Lazarus needed a permanent home where he would not be exploited or harmed, she alerted our President and Co-founder, Gene Baur, in hopes that we could help.

Thankfully, our California sanctuary was a perfect fit, and we acted quickly to welcome Lazarus with open arms.

Since arriving at Farm Sanctuary, Lazarus has passed all of his health checks and joined our flock, fitting right in with his new feathered friends.

After noisy days and nights at the shelter, Lazarus seems to be soaking up the peace and quiet of the sanctuary, but that doesn’t mean he chooses to fly solo. Caregiver Nicole Gaglione says that he’s spending a lot of time with the hens, especially his gal pals, Albi and Callie.

“He can often be found sunbathing, and he loves the special meals he gets throughout the day to get him to gain some more weight,” says Nicole.

Along with warm bedding and shelter, veterinary treatment, and more, those nutritious meals are part of the lifelong, individualized care Farm Sanctuary provides to hundreds of rescued farm animals who call our California and New York shelters home. It’s all thanks to the generosity of our community members, like Tatiana, and everyone who supports our rescue, education, and advocacy efforts.

Lazarus found a friend in Tatiana, who shares with us a favorite quote from Peter Singer, “We have to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” And we’re thankful to all who are voices of compassion for farm animals.

Because of you, Lazarus and thousands of others have found a second chance to live and love at Farm Sanctuary.