Have you ever sat down and just watched chickens? Many people are so used to the word “chicken” only being applied to a “processed food” that seeing them alive is surprising. But it doesn’t take long to make the connection: Each is an individual with their own personality. National Poultry Day, March 19th, was originally set aside as yet another opportunity to exploit these sentient, sensitive animals. But today—like every day at Farm Sanctuary—we celebrate chickens and their right to lives of their own.

Everyone loves Jordan. The jolly, plump Boer goat is always happy to see us. He’s kind, playful, affectionate, and often greets his friends with a hearty head nuzzle. But to be a good friend to Jordan, in return, we had to make the difficult but important decision to relocate him from our Watkins Glen, New York Sanctuary to our other Sanctuary in Acton, California. It’s a move to benefit his health, happiness, and life.

Before we look ahead to all that's in store for the New Year, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on 2021.

Vector was born with a severe cross beak (her beak overlaps like scissors, instead of aligning at the tips). This makes it hard for her to eat solid foods; she just can’t get a grip due to the unnatural angle. Through experience treating similar cases, we felt that Vector could thrive.

Every year, we welcome new rescues through our doors and celebrate each milestone they reach in our care—events they were never expected to clear in animal agriculture. The animals who survive and make it to Sanctuary get a second chance at life. Here, they touch our hearts and inspire compassionate change in others. We’re grateful for every day, week, month, and year that these survivors have at Sanctuary. But it’s also hard to say goodbye to those we love—especially when they should have had more time. Please join us in honoring the animals who passed away this year.

In June, we sent a healthcare team to Tennessee to lead a Sanctuary clinic week with Odd Man Inn Animal Refuge. Odd Man Inn (OMI), a “refuge for animals out of options,” was first incorporated in Washington state, but this year, they acquired 93-acres of land in Jamestown, Tennessee—and with it, guardianship of 160 pigs. Now, they’re in the process of moving their operations to Tennessee and learning who lives on the property and what type of care they need. Below is an excerpt from our interview with Wendy Smith, Co-Founder and Director at Odd Man Inn (OMI).

Pietro is a Holstein calf. Holsteins are commonly raised for dairy––and in dairy, boy calves are generally sold for meat. But the farmer couldn’t sell Pietro. The newborn was sick, and he had a broken leg. He could barely stand, let alone walk. It wouldn’t be worth their time or the cost to nurse Pietro to health and then sell him.

Henrietta never knew her mother. However, she's a doting mother- and grandmother-figure to the smallest birds in her flock!

A mother once is a mother forever. Jackie, a resilient maternal figure to our Acton cow herd, embodies the strength of this love each day.

Bella and Vector—two sweet hens born with cross beaks—are #BetterTogether.