Farm Sanctuary is a place where compassion and care heal the wounds left by cruelty. It is a place where hearts and minds are changed, and people are inspired to help build a kinder world.
At our New York and California sanctuaries, magical moments unfold each day, between our rescued animal residents, their caregivers, and visitors alike.
Read on to enjoy just a few recent moments that warmed our hearts, then book your visit to experience the magic for yourself.
Members of a book club visited our New York shelter for a tour as a fun, memorable way to celebrate their group’s 20th anniversary. What a perfect time to do so, as Farm Sanctuary celebrates a milestone this year, too—our 40th anniversary! And can we make a recommendation for your to-be-read list? The new book from our President & Co-founder, Gene Baur, “Farm Sanctuary: The Story of a Movement,” is coming out in September! Pre-order your copy here.
An Ithaca-based Brownie Troop visited our New York sanctuary, enjoying a tour led by Julia Marotto (coordinator of education programs) and volunteers Alyssa and Bonnie. After the tour, as the second-graders received our adorable Girl Scout patches, they were excited to share what they’d learned about the lives of farm animals, including that pigs build nests for their families—and that one of our goat residents, Maggie, shares a birthday with one of the Scouts!
As part of our humane education programs, our monthly webinars reach thousands of students throughout the school year. Some, like young Dulcinea, get inspired to visit Farm Sanctuary and meet the rescued animals they’ve learned about. Dulcinea happened to be on a tour led by Julia Marotto, who hosted the webinars her class had attended! The two were thrilled to meet, and Dulcinea bought a Farm Sanctuary T-shirt to show her support for farm animals.
Earth Day is recognized each April globally as a way to turn environmental awareness into momentum. At Farm Sanctuary, we celebrate Earth Day every day by opposing the harms of factory farming, promoting plant-based living, and incorporating sustainability into our sanctuaries and operations. But we also mark Earth Day by welcoming volunteers to come make an impact! At our California shelter this year, volunteers joined us for a composting workshop and helped plant seedlings.
Hope just may be the world’s cuddliest donkey, as Andrea Burritt (director, animal care) found out while spending time at our California sanctuary and getting this heartwarming hug. From her caregivers to volunteers to visitors taking a tour, Hope snuggles up to just about everyone she meets. Read more about Hope to see why this sweet and gentle gal challenges all the stereotypes you may have heard about donkeys.
Omi was just a calf when he was abandoned, with his legs tied, in the middle of the road, likely one of many male calves born in the dairy industry and discarded for not producing milk. Thankfully, an animal control officer saved his life. After five happy years at Haven Pet Center, a growing Omi needed more space and care than the shelter could provide, so his caregivers brought him to live at Farm Sanctuary. Soon after, the Haven team visited their cow friend (and his goat friend, Taco) for a joyful reunion filled with smiles and snuggles.
In the dairy industry, calves are routinely separated from their mothers so their milk can be sold for human consumption, despite the deep bonds between cows and their babies. But at Farm Sanctuary, families get to stay together. Since their rescue from a small dairy farm, the bond between Liz and her son, Cashew, has grown stronger each day. In this beautiful photo, Liz is grooming Cashew, one way cows take care of each other and show affection.
Moments of compassion and change
Each of our residents is an ambassador whose story of rescue and resilience inspires kindness for billions of farm animals like them. Visiting Farm Sanctuary can be a transformative experience, offering a chance to connect with these remarkable individuals and hear from those who care for them.
Here, you will also find hope for a sustainable food system rooted in compassion as you learn about our work to educate thousands about the harms of factory farming and to advocate for meaningful policy change that benefits animals, people, and the planet.
We hope you’ll come experience the magic of Farm Sanctuary.
We welcome visitors for public and private guided tours at our shelters in Watkins Glen, New York, and Acton, California. You can even book a stay in one of our tiny houses or cabins in New York. We hope to see you soon!
