News & Stories

Norman’s ears twitched at the distant mooing. Standing up to his full height of 5’5” from ground to shoulder, the dark brown steer craned his head towards the horizon. They were coming: his new herd. It had been nine years—nearly his entire life—since Norman had last lived among other cows. He threw back his head and gave a joyful bellowing moo. “I’m here,” he seemed to say, “and I can’t wait to meet you!”

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.

Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Awards spotlight changemakers who are creating more sustainable and responsible travel products, practices, and experiences.

It was a Saturday in New York City and two separate but urgent situations were each unfolding: In one part of the city, rescuers were caring for chickens freed from a common religious ritual sacrifice. Farm Sanctuary, in collaboration with local activists, had already planned to take in a few birds rescued from this first case. That same day, though, other people discovered birds who’d fallen from a truck bound for a Brooklyn slaughterhouse. By the end of the day, we’d be arranging to help 41 chickens in need.

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.

abillion and Vegan Women Summit celebrate International Women’s Day by announcing a new women-led beneficiary, Farm Sanctuary, America’s first farm animal Sanctuary and advocacy organization.

From “Charlotte’s Web” to “Babe,” pigs have a way of capturing our hearts. These stories, along with the ones about our friends at Farm Sanctuary, champion pigs as individuals—not meat. Some are spunky, some are mischevous, others shy, but all are sentient and emotive beings who deserve lives free from harm. On National Pig Day, held annually on March 1st, we celebrate our porcine pals and pay homage to the millions of pigs still slaughtered for meat in the United States each year. Each is “some pig” in his or her own way: It’s simply up to us to pay attention.

Missy pig, born on Halloween, had a grim and haunting start to life. She spent her days alone in a solitary pen—a nightmare for pigs, who are social beings and grow distressed without friends, enough space, and stimulation. People didn’t pay much attention to her, either. Now we know that Missy is a friendly and affectionate pig who enjoys attention (and deep belly rubs); however, the farmers who owned her didn’t see her as a friend but as a means of production.

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.

A Q&A with Dana McPhall, Farm Sanctuary’s Director of Community Learning & Engagement