About Farm Sanctuary

In an ideal world, there would be no need for Farm Sanctuary. There would be no factory farms or stockyards, and cows, pigs, chickens, and other farm animals would not be abused. They would be free to laze in the breeze, bathe in the sun, scratch at the earth, and enjoy life.

Unfortunately, animals raised on today's industrialized farms are treated like unfeeling commodities, and their basic needs are completely ignored. They are crowded in factory farm warehouses, and confined so tightly that they cannot walk, turn around or lie down comfortably. Farm animals are de-beaked, de-toed, tail-docked, confined, crowded, neglected and denied the very basics of life: fresh air, wholesome food, room to move and, most importantly, freedom.

Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 to combat the abuses of factory farming and to encourage a new awareness and understanding about "farm animals." At Farm Sanctuary, these animals are friends, not food.

Farm Sanctuary started out by visiting farms, stockyards and slaughterhouses to document conditions, and found animals literally left for dead. Hilda, a sheep found on a pile of dead animals behind Lancaster Stockyards, was the first animal to be rescued by Farm Sanctuary. She lived under the organization's care for more than a decade, and died of old age. Hilda closes Our Farm: By the Animals of Farm Sanctuary (Knopf) with a poem of thanks.

Through the years, Farm Sanctuary has rescued thousands of animals, and educated millions of people about their plight. People are shocked to learn about the intolerable conditions that are commonplace on today's industrialized farms.

Farm Sanctuary's rescue and education work continues, as they advocate for laws and policies to prevent suffering and promote compassion. The organization is reaching out to legislators and businesses, and working to bring about institutional reforms.

When Farm Sanctuary started in 1986, it was a fledgling, all volunteer organization that was funded by sales of veggie hot dogs from a VW van. Today, Farm Sanctuary has grown to become the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, with hundreds of thousands of supporters. Farm Sanctuary remains solidly committed to their mission to end cruelty to farm animals and promote compassionate living through rescue, education and advocacy efforts.

A compassionate world begins with you!

Links

Farm Sanctuary's Main Site

Farm Sanctuary's Kidz Club

Farm Sanctuary’s Cultivating Compassion
program for teachers

Follow Farm Sanctuary on Twitter

Become a fan of Farm Sanctuary on Facebook

Farm Sanctuary on YouTube

Farm Sanctuary Photo Gallery

Author, Maya Gottfried took these photographs while getting to know the residents of Farm Sanctuary's Watkins Glen, NY shelter. The images reveal the happy residents in their safe and comfortable new homes at Farm Sanctuary.

Author, Maya Gottfried getting to know one of the many happy Farm Sanctuary residents.
Photo: Rosalinda Stone