After “this little piggy went to market,” Jack and his friend Allan went home to Sanctuary. The boys—a Yorkshire pig and Hampshire/Duroc cross, respectively—were both raised for production purposes. They met at Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, and are friendly and rambunctious boys with a bit of an eye for trouble. Mischievous behaviors aside, these are signs of social and problem-solving skills which likely helped the boys survive.

36 Sanctuary Moments You May Have Missed

April 17th marks 36 years since Farm Sanctuary's incorporation! To celebrate, we asked some of our long-time members and volunteers to share their favorite memories and reflect on what Sanctuary means to them.

On a late winter’s day, two young steers trekked through mud and melting snow towards a sunny patch of earth to warm their backs. They paused—one in front of the other—and closed their eyes to drink in the rare light. Then, the taller one leaned over his friend to plant slow, cleansing kisses along his neck and back. Grooming is a way that cows show trust and affection—and for these two, a sense of belonging at long last.

Consider this: Farm animals do not have to be farmed. Many of us grow up believing that cows give us milk, chickens give us eggs, sheep give us wool, and meat gives us protein that we need to sustain life. But the biggest misconception is that they “give” us anything: Humans take them, often at the animals’ expense.

The backyard chicken industry is not an alternative to factory farming: it’s part of it. When you buy chicks online, from catalogs, or at feed stores, you’re supporting the very same types of facilities that supply large egg producers.

No summer camping trip is complete without fireside tales of the land’s local legends—from Bigfoot to Moth Man to Glen: a long-horned creature roaming through a New York state park! Glen wasn’t easy to spot. He was an expert at hiding—even with his giant horns. Hikers reported seeing flashes of white as Glen darted through the woods. Others caught glimpses of him on the outskirts of town. But unlike mythical creatures, Glen was real. He was cautious, curious, and shy—and he was in desperate need of help.

Chrissy Tracey on recipe development, family history, and positivity

Most people wouldn't opt to celebrate their birthday at a slaughterhouse. But Sophia Deluz, a longtime vegan and seasoned rescuer, has spent years marking holidays and other special occasions by including farm animals in her festivities—not as food, but as a friends. And in early 2020, on her 27th birthday, she inspired an employee at a New York City live market to set free three hens—Helena, Misha, and Priyanka—so that they, too, could live to see another birthday.

Mickey was born unable to stand up or walk. He came to Farm Sanctuary, and with the help of splints and physical therapy, his mobility has been gradually improving! ⁣