Farm Sanctuary

Baby cows need their mom's milk more than we do. Jersey boys are often considered "byproducts" in the dairy industry since they can't produce milk for profit. Most dairy farmers cull or abandon these calves or sell them for veal or cheap beef, even though many of them are sick. The more time and care an animal requires, the less profit the farmer can bring in overall, so their care is often neglected in the name of profit. Please consider leaving dairy products off your plate—you'll help save lives and keep cows with their babies!

Join us in wishing Westley a happy eighth rescue anniversary! Before coming to Farm Sanctuary, Westley survived a New York City live market, which are shockingly legal! These facilities commonly deal with animals rejected by factory farms and auction barns, allowing customers to choose animals to be slaughtered on-site. Animals in live markets often endure filthy and cramped conditions — and may be able to see and hear others being killed. As a Jersey/Holstein cross, Westley was considered a byproduct of the dairy industry because, as a male, he'd never grow up to produce milk for profit. Because of the demand for dairy, calves like Westley are separated from their mother within days, so humans can drink their milk instead and make products like cheese, ice cream, and even chocolates. Calves like Westley only bring in a profit if they're slaughtered at a young age for veal or beef because the less time an animal needs care, the more profit a farmer can bring in. Thankfully, Westley's city days are long behind him; now, he only knows a life of love. 💚

There’s a reason many people call pigs “pink dogs!” 🐷 🐶 Like dogs, pigs: Know and respond to their names Wag their tails Get the zoomies Dream when they sleep And they even have best friends! It’s time we see pigs for who they really are. They’re someone—not something, and just like dogs, they deserve to be loved and have a happy life.

Four years ago, we rescued Lenny from a dairy farm in New York. The farmer didn't want Lenny because male cows can't make milk, so he offered no long-term profit. In simple terms, it would cost more to keep him around than to sell him to slaughter for veal or beef to make a quick buck. Luckily, Lenny's rescuers helped him find sanctuary, and through our Farm Animal Adoption Network (FAAN), we placed him at Peacefield. He's a special guy who loves ear scratches just as much as any dog, and he's known at Peacefield for his heart of gold. 🎥 : Peacefield

Save the date—Adopt A Turkey is launching November 1! This year, let's all keep turkeys off our plates. 💚

Brown Swiss cows like Greg are highly prized for their high milk output and quality, but since only females produce milk—and only when they are pregnant or nursing—dairy farms have little use for boys. Some sell or raise their unwanted calves for veal or cheap beef. Others kill baby boys on-site because they don't think their care is worth the time or expense. 💔 Thankfully, Greg's guardians saw him as an individual, not a product, and because of this, he's living his best life.

There's no better way to say hello to October than this throwback to the first time George tried pumpkin! 🎃 At four months old, George was so sick that he almost died. Because he lived at a petting zoo, the owner didn't want to invest in his care because that cost would outweigh any profit George would bring in. Thankfully, we were able to get George the medical attention he desperately needed, and we're happy to say he's been thriving at sanctuary since! George is a favorite among both staff and visitors for his charming personality.

Many people don’t like pigs because they think they’re dirty—but that simply isn’t true. ❤️🩹 Pigs love to feel comfy and secure at night, so building nests to sleep in is one of their strongest natural instincts! Plus, pigs don’t like a “pigsty.” They prefer keeping a clean house — and some pigs have even been known to decorate with hay, twigs, and flowers. 🥹🫶🏻🌼 Third Video Clip Credit: Molly Condit / We Animals Media

Rufus missed his besties while he was sick, and our hearts melted when they were reunited after two months! 💚 In 2022, we rescued Rufus and his three goat gal pals. We placed them with a member of our FAAN (Farm Animal Adoption Network) until health challenges and changing circumstances required a new home, which ultimately ended in separation. Our friends at Odd Man Inn Animal Refuge (OMI) suspected the herd had treatment-resistant parasites, complicating the situation because the goats shouldn’t be on pasture. When OMI saw Rufus, they knew he was desperately sick and needed immediate medical attention. Once Rufus recovered and returned home to OMI, it became clear that he missed his lady friends and that life would be better with them by his side, so we arranged cross-country transports for the four friends to our Los Angeles sanctuary! Goats are social animals, playful, curious, and emotionally complex. Like us, they have pals they prefer to spend time with, so Rufus reuniting with his friends was vital to his wellbeing. Without your support, we couldn’t have brought these BFF’s together again.

Just in case you've never heard a baby cow moo.