Animal agribusiness paints a picture of happy farm animals living natural lives with their families and plenty of space to roam free. The reality is that nearly all farmed animals in the U.S. are kept inside severely crowded and stressful factory farms—and even on smaller farms and those considered “humane,” animals may be facing cruel practices considered standard. 

Too few survive the horrors of animal agriculture, and rescue alone cannot fix our food system. But those saved from this cruel industry become ambassadors for billions like them.

Celebrate National Animal Rights Day (June 1) by reading the stories of some of our resilient rescued animal residents and sharing them to spread compassion for all beings.

Born on a dairy farm, Dixon was deemed worthless because he couldn’t produce milk. Most males born into the dairy industry are sold to be raised and killed for veal or beef. Dixon was listed as free on Craigslist, but thanks to a kind rescuer, he came to Farm Sanctuary. Here, we see Dixon and all animals as priceless. We value these sentient beings for who they are, not what they can produce.

Since his rescue in 2019, Dixon has bonded deeply with his sanctuary family. When Dixon arrived, Jackie cow was grieving the loss of her son, and as loving and protective cows have been known to do, Jackie adopted the orphaned Dixon and cared for him as if he were her calf.

• Cows can live up to 20 years, but those used for dairy are typically slaughtered within four to five years. Cattle raised for beef are killed at about one year old, while calves used for veal are slaughtered at just 16-18 weeks old.
• In 2024, the average U.S. cow used for dairy produced over 24,000 pounds of milk, compared with 11,500 pounds in 1979 and 5,300 pounds in 1933.
• This unnaturally high level of milk production, the result of selective breeding to maximize profit, can lead to painful mastitis infections.

Jessica’s life most likely began with suffering on a factory farm, and it was an accident that ultimately changed her fate. This brave hen fell from a transport truck on a busy freeway, and the California Highway Patrol stopped traffic while Animal Control officers got Jessica and the other survivors safely into a car. In all, nine of these courageous chickens joined us at Farm Sanctuary.

Here, Jessica has blossomed into a happy hen with many friends. She loves to enjoy snacks and snuggle into a cuddle puddle with her flock. While many people don’t think of chickens this way, they are intelligent and social birds whose unique personalities shine through when you meet them in the freedom of sanctuary.

• The average U.S. farmed hen lays around 285 eggs annually. She would lay only 10-15 eggs per year naturally. Producing an unnaturally high number of eggs can lead to nutrient deficiencies, prolapse, egg impaction, fractures, and even death.
• Because they can’t lay eggs, most male chicks born into the egg industry are killed at birth—either ground up alive or left to suffocate slowly.
• Chickens can live an average lifespan of 6-10 years, but those raised for meat are killed at about 45 days old, and egg-laying hens are slaughtered at about 18 months old.

Unlike Jessica, Serena was not born on a large-scale farm, yet she bears the scars of the cruel industry practices that factory-farmed birds face. She was debeaked and detoed, painful processes in which part of a bird’s beak and toes are removed without anesthesia. These are attempts to reduce fighting and injuries among flocks, but the irony is that factory farming itself leads to these behaviors as birds endure severe crowding and stress.

Thankfully, a local rescuer saved Serena and her “sister” Venus, and we welcomed these tight-knit feathered friends to Farm Sanctuary. Serena is an affectionate bird who loves getting attention from her caregivers and listening to music. Did you know that turkeys form deep social bonds? Sanctuary offers once lonely farm animals the chance to find chosen family, and much like Jackie has Dixon, Serena has Thelma. This turkey pair is so close, they’re like sisters.

• In the wild, turkeys can live up to 13 years, but farmed turkeys are slaughtered at just four to five months old.
• Each year, about 46 million U.S. turkeys are killed for Thanksgiving alone.
• Many turkeys and other farmed birds are subjected to cruel “debeaking,” in which their beaks are seared or cut with no pain relief.

Hercules was once suffering from severe neglect in an illegal backyard butcher operation. When rescuers arrived, they found more than 113 animals in wire cages without clean drinking water. Because help arrived when it did, all these individuals, including Hercules and 29 others who came to Farm Sanctuary, found loving homes.

In the safety and joy of sanctuary, Hercules has become one of our most playful, lovably silly, and fun-loving residents. He’s small, but his personality is big! Hercules loves snacks and is not shy about asking for them. But at bedtime, he’s all about settling down and enjoying snuggles with his friends.

• Goats can live between 15 and 22 years, but in animal agriculture, most are slaughtered at just three to five months old.
• Goats are exploited for both meat and dairy, and some for their hair (such as cashmere).
• Some goats are found in the wild at elevations higher than 11,000 feet! Unlike on factory farms, goats are free to engage in natural behaviors like running, jumping, and climbing at sanctuaries.

Adriano and his family were found starving in a filthy barn when he was just a young lamb. The property’s owner purchased farm animals from livestock auctions to use them for breeding. When their young were born, they were killed in a makeshift slaughterhouse. Thankfully, many of the animals were saved from that horrible fate. More than 60 were rescued by Farm Sanctuary, including Adriano, his mother, Florence, and his twin sister, Isabella.

Sheep are often considered unintelligent animals who simply follow the flock, but Adriano shows every day just how wrong that is. He’s a bold and friendly leader, often the first to greet visitors on tours of Farm Sanctuary or coming to one of our caregivers for scratches and hugs. When he first arrived, Adriano was understandably fiercely protective of his mom and sister, and although it’s clear he now feels safe at sanctuary, he still likes to stand watch over his flock in the sheep barn.

• Domestic sheep can naturally live 12-14 years, but lambs raised for meat are slaughtered at just six months old.

• Sheep bred for wool production grow an unnaturally high amount of wool and must be shorn. At Farm Sanctuary, this is done gently to keep sheep cool and comfortable, but in animal agriculture, it’s a painful and terrifying process.
• Like cows, sheep are exploited for dairy production. Globally, around 100 million sheep are raised for milk.

Blue pig was raised as part of Future Farmers of America, a program that teaches young students to participate in animal agriculture. But Blue’s young guardian, who bonded with this sweet and loving pig, believed he deserved a chance to live. Their family asked us for help, and we responded quickly to bring Blue to his forever home at Farm Sanctuary.

Many people who get to know pigs compare them to dogs—playful, affectionate, and social. Blue is a perfect example. This fun-loving pig enjoys splashing in water, snacking on treats, and will even stop right where he is to lie down for belly rubs.

• Pigs can live an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
• Mother pigs used for breeding, aka “gestation sows,” are typically killed after two to three years. Their babies are killed at six months old and processed as pork.
• When allowed to be in their natural groups and families, pigs typically live in small groups that travel, forage for food, and nest together.

Farm Sanctuary is also home to hundreds of other rescued farm animals, including geese, ducks, and donkeys. While some animals are surrendered into our care by guardians, many are survivors of animal agriculture—of abuse, neglect, and cruelty.

At Farm Sanctuary, however, they can live in peace and freedom. We offer them the best and most natural lives possible. We provide nourishing food, individualized care, safe and warm shelter, and enrichment to enhance their cognitive and overall well-being. Here, a farm animal is treated like someone, not something.

On National Animal Rights Day and beyond, it’s always a good time to start making kinder choices for animals, people, and the planet we share. We can help!

Check out these seven easy ways to start being a farm animal activist right now, and our handy guide to a plant-based diet. 

Plus: Sign up for Farm Sanctuary’s newsletter for the latest campaigns, rescue updates, and action alerts.