In the heartless world of animal agriculture, Elli was known only as “95.” That number had been painted on her side, and a red line along her back most likely marked her for death. But when Elli ran for her life, she escaped slaughter and found a home at Farm Sanctuary, where she’ll always be cherished for the individual she is.
Sweet Elli is adored by her caregivers, who happily offer attention and her favorite treats. She especially loves snacking on Fig Newtons, getting her medication in maple syrup syringes, and enjoying her mash.
During the winter, Elli rocks a distinctive puff of wool on her head and face, but she’s adorable—and most importantly, loved—all year round.
Each time this gentle sheep shows affection, despite having lived through the trauma of a slaughterhouse, we are inspired by her capacity for love and reminded of why we do what we do. Rescue alone can’t save every animal, but sanctuary changes everything for individuals like Elli, and her story is changing hearts and minds for countless other farm animals like her.
From Gene
Dear Farm Sanctuary Supporters,
In 2026, we will celebrate four decades of rescue, education, and advocacy. To honor this milestone and recommit to our mission, we’ll host events across the U.S. that showcase our history, celebrate the animals, and highlight the movement we’ve built together. I hope you’ll join us in celebrating Farm Sanctuary’s 40th anniversary and find inspiration in the stories throughout this magazine—stories that reflect the compassion and change you’ve helped make possible.
Starting with Hilda sheep in 1986, we have saved thousands of animals and provided them with lifelong sanctuary. Today, hundreds of rescued residents live at our sanctuaries in NY and CA, and we encourage people to come see them as friends, not food. Meeting individual farm animals and learning their stories can lead to deeper empathy. Fostering these life-changing connections is central to our mission, and we will enhance visitor experiences in the coming years.
Consumers eating meat, dairy, and eggs are typically uninformed about how their food is produced, and they unwittingly support factory farm abuses. We will continue to expand our award-winning humane education program and reach
new audiences. Through grassroots and media outreach, we are educating thousands of people about the consequences of animal agriculture while encouraging more compassionate food choices that better align with their values and interests.
Humans are social animals, and we adopt habits from those around us. We are also profoundly, often unconsciously, influenced by the social and economic structures we live in. In affluent countries like the U.S., animal agriculture receives billions of dollars in government support, which makes meat, dairy, and eggs artificially cheap and available, normalizing the exploitation and slaughter of billions of animals. Farm Sanctuary is advocating for a shift in public investments, land, and other resources away from factory farming and toward a community-oriented, plant-based food system. We can feed more people with less land and fewer resources, and end the unnecessary suffering of billions of farm animals, by changing how we eat. You are helping us bring about that just and sustainable future.
Thank you so much for your compassion and generosity. Here’s to another 40 years of hope and healing.
With gratitude,
Gene Baur President and Co-founder
Gene and Honey cow
SANCTUARY BY THE NUMBERS
WITH YOU BY OUR SIDE, Farm Sanctuary made meaningful progress in 2024 for animals, people, and the planet. Thanks to the generosity and support of our dedicated community, we are uniquely positioned to provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals while educating thousands about the harms of animal agriculture and advocating for a just and sustainable plant-based food system.
HERE ARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT WE ACHIEVED TOGETHER IN 2024. FOR MORE, SEE OUR FULL IMPACT REPORT! *
≥ RESCUE
• 642 animals in our care at our NY and CA sanctuaries
• 200+ animals rescued, placed, or referred via our Farm Animal Adoption Network
• Expanded hay production, reducing feed costs by $16K
≥ SUSTAINABILITY
• Operated a zero-waste vegan café and garden at our NY sanctuary
• Certified our garden as a wildlife habitat
• Reseeded 80 acres of pasture to promote land health
≥ EDUCATION
• Reached 68,000+ students across five countries
• Developed free humane education tools for Girl Scouts
• Published our first peer-reviewed study on chicken emotion
• Our message reached hundreds of millions via earned media
• Earned a Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award for Best Animal Experience
• Featured on Blippi & Meekah (1 billion+ monthly views, 30 million+ YouTube followers)
• Launched a Bluesky page on social media
≥ ADVOCACY
• Helped shift 1.4 million meals to plant-based in rural NC
• Influenced USDA school meal standards to prioritize fruits, vegetables, and legumes, benefitting up to 30 million students nationwide
• Co-authored a Food System Shift Roadmap with input from 2,500+ stakeholders and 150 Congressional offices
• Supported California’s successful ban on octopus farming
As we approach our 40th anniversary in 2026, we are building on this momentum, which is made possible by your commitment to our shared mission. Thank you for standing with us!
Gene and Blippi
CELEBRATING
40Years
OF HOPE AND HEALING
In 1986, the seeds were planted for a global sanctuary movement.
IN 2026, FARM SANCTUARY WILL CELEBRATE its 40th anniversary. From our devoted supporters who have been with us every step of the way to those who have recently joined our mission for farm animals, you have played a vital role in helping us reach this major milestone.
The day our first rescue, Hilda sheep, was saved from a stockyard was the dawn of a movement. Since our beginnings selling veggie dogs from our VW van outside Grateful Dead shows, we have saved thousands of farm animals in need and educated thousands of people on the harms of factory farming. We currently care for hundreds of rescued animal residents at our New York and California sanctuaries, and through our Farm Animal Adoption Network, we’ve united sanctuaries across the nation to save as many lives as possible. Through it all, our groundbreaking advocacy efforts have paved the way for stronger farm animal protection laws and a kinder, more sustainable plant-based food system. Thanks to you, these efforts continue and expand as we forge ahead into the next 40 years.
We are proud to say that, with your help, Farm Sanctuary has played a foundational role in the farm animal protection movement. As the nation’s premier farm animal sanctuary and advocacy organization, we have seen the ripple effects of our first four decades. Today, there are hundreds of sanctuaries around the globe, changing how the world views and treats farm animals.
In the coming year, as we reflect on the significance of our first four decades, we will share some great content, revisiting key milestones from Farm Sanctuary’s history and focusing on where we were, where we are, and where we hope to be. Celebrations and collaborations are taking place nationwide, including our Sanctuary Day, which will engage advocates from around the world for a day of compassion. We can’t wait to share more details soon.
Thank you for your crucial support as we continue to build a kinder future for animals, people, and the planet.
A MORNING IN THE LIFE OF OUR LOS ANGELES SANCTUARY TEAM
Brooke Marshall, the senior wellness manager at our California sanctuary, shares what it takes to run a haven for more than 100 rescued farm animals.
What is a typical morning at the sanctuary like for you?
The morning starts quietly, before the sun is up, while all the animals are still sleeping. First, I prep all the morning meds and mash, then head out to the farm. After sunrise, all the residents are let out of their barns. The typical morning is very go-go-go with many little things to do along the way, such as communicating with the team, and sometimes getting assistance from volunteers. Those of us who get in early have lunch around 10:30 a.m, which may be breakfast time for many people!
Caring for farm animals saved from the harms of agriculture is rewarding but, at times, heartbreaking, too. What inspires you to do this work each day?
It is so rewarding to observe the animals at peace, enjoying their daily routines and enrichment, and watching their friendships. A morning where everything goes as planned is
rewarding in itself. When residents are “off,” not eating, or not feeling well, we must assess what we can do immediately to make them better and whether they need a vet appointment. The Wellness and Environment caregivers are essentially with the residents 80 hours a week; they are very much our family! It’s evident when a resident is not feeling well, and it’s hard not to feel upset and stressed when this happens. The on-the-ground team members’ support for each other allows us to get through these stressful situations. We’re here for each other, to lift each other up, to grieve together, or give each other space as needed.
Is there an animal at the sanctuary, past or present, with whom you share a special bond?
Honky Tonk donkey is my sanctuary soulmate. He’s one-ofa-kind; he’s silly, friendly, aloof, and independent, but always welcomes love and attention. He stands still when I hug him, and I’ll always be the first to walk away. It’s fun to find him in
“ The typical morning is very go-go-go with many little things to do along the way ”
the back pasture, call his name, watch him lock eyes with me, and sometimes stop whatever he’s doing and make a beeline for me. Once I couldn’t find the rest of the donkeys, so he took me on a walk and led me to them. He’s very, very special.
When people visit us for a tour, what do you hope they walk away with?
I hope that visitors walk away with fond memories of the new friends they’ve made. I hope they see that each animal they met was an individual, with a strong desire to live in peace and comfort, without stress, and without needing to provide anything for humans. I hope they walk away and realize that every animal deserves autonomy, the freedom to make their own decisions, and to act independently. At sanctuary, we provide parameters to ensure their health and safety, but we encourage all our residents to have agency. I hope people see the value in this and how animals can thrive when given something so simple.
DAILY MORNING TASKS FOR OUR DEDICATED LOS ANGELES SHELTER TEAM INCLUDE:
1. Morning check-in chart
2. Prep all mashed food and medications in the shelter office
3. Open the sheep barn and help Pippa, Regina, and Squid into their carts and leg braces
4. Open the pig barn and apply Blue and Grace’s sunscreen
5. Help Darla horse into her front-feet boots
6. Put bales of hay into the cattle, horse, and donkey feeders
7. Give medications to all animals who need them
8. Open the aviary, prepping all food, filling water bowls, and providing treatments and medications. When sweet Chippy was with us, we also washed the feathers on his feet.
9. Check the mini donkeys’ masks that protect their faces from insects and the sun
10. Feed apples and bananas to Honky Tonk and Harley donkeys
ADOPT. PROTECT. LOVE.
Over the following nine pages, meet some of the inspiring rescued individuals in our Adopt a Farm Animal program and learn their stories of healing and transformation. When you sponsor one of these resilient animals, you will make a tangible impact on their life as your monthly or annual gift supports their daily care at our New York or California sanctuary. With our thanks for your generosity, we’ll send you a print or digital certificate featuring your newly adopted friend!
Read on, and visit FarmSanctuary.org/adopt to welcome a farm animal into your heart.
Milo
Rescue Date: March 8, 2021
Location: New York
Milo was one of four ducklings left in a box outside a New York prison. The baby birds likely wouldn’t have survived the cold night if staff hadn’t found them and brought them inside. The ducks were kept comfortable, but they needed a forever home, and we gave them a safe place to land together. Milo adores his friends and loves to strut around with fellow handsome bachelors, Rad and Dobie. He’s a chill guy who loves to lounge in the pond—and, always enjoying his freedom, Milo’s the last to stroll back to the barn for the night.
Olive
Rescue Date: November 25, 2024
Location: New York
Olive fled a New York dairy farm and ran for the woods. Kind locals asked us to help—and when we heard she had likely given birth, the search for Olive grew urgent. Sadly, she lost her calf, who suffered from painful, untreatable conditions. But Olive would face no more heartbreak. After six weeks of trying to secure the fearful cow, we brought Olive to sanctuary. Safe and loved for the first time, Olive’s heart is healing. She now trusts and even snuggles her closest caregivers, loves to snack on apples, and she has found chosen family in her herd.
Jodean
Rescue Date: July 31, 2024
Location: California
Jodean was found running through a residential neighborhood in the middle of the night, with her eight siblings, their mom, Grace, and one potbelly friend. After a three a.m. call, local animal control officers brought the pigs safely to Chula Vista Animal Care Facility, which turned to the sanctuary community for help. All of the pigs found forever homes—and together at Farm Sanctuary, Grace and Jodean are inseparable. Young Jodean’s kind of a rebel, adventurous and fearless, even when her mom worries. She doggypaddles across the pig pond, comes running when we call her name, and plops over for belly rubs.
David Bowie
Rescue Date: August 18, 2018
Location: California
David Bowie and Rod Stewart were once at a shelter, waiting for a forever home—but when we rescued these two handsome roosters, they stepped into sanctuary and into the spotlight. Today, David Bowie has claimed his spot at the top of the flock hierarchy and reminds the other birds that he’s the headliner (in case they couldn’t tell from that rockstar hairdo). While he has many adoring fans, it’s David Bowie who chases the hens around the aviary as soon as he wakes up. But even rock stars need rest, and by midday, he settles in for a snack.
Hercules
Rescue Date: May 20, 2020
Location: New York
Hercules is a lovably silly and playful goat, but life wasn’t always fun and games. He was once suffering at an illegal backyard butcher operation, where rescuers found 113 animals kept in crowded conditions without clean drinking water. Following a court order obtained by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Hercules was among the heroic survivors removed from the property, and we welcomed 31 animals to Farm Sanctuary. Now, happy Hercules spends each day enjoying snacks (he’ll plant his front feet on our chests to ask!) and each night snuggled up right in the middle of his herd.
Adriano
Rescue Date: April 24, 2012
Location: New York
Adriano was a lamb when his family was found starving in a filthy barn. We saved more than 60 neglected animals from the property where farm animals were bred for sale at auction, while their young were killed on-site. Afraid at first, Adriano was fiercely protective of his mom and twin sister, but he’s now one of the most outgoing and affectionate sheep we know. He even enjoys head scratches and pets from his caregivers, and wins the hearts of all the ladies in the sheep herd, too. Who wouldn’t fall head over hooves for Adriano’s charm?
Ash
Rescue Date: December 9, 2016
Location: New York
Ash is a ray of sunshine. Knowing him today, it’s hard to believe he didn’t always have all the love and care he deserves. Ash once lived on a farm where the owner acquired animals under the pretense of rescue, but in truth, Ash and the others were denied adequate food and water. Even in subzero temperatures, they didn’t have proper shelter. Thankfully, Ash and his mom, Connie, survived and joined our Farm Sanctuary family. Today, Ash is happy, confident, and an ambassador for farm animals everywhere. He’s the first to greet visitors on tours of the sheep barn!
RECURRING GIFTS
Provide the Support Our Rescued Residents Can Count On
BE A SANCTUARY SUSTAINER
Our Sanctuary Sustainers provide the backbone of Farm Sanctuary’s life-saving rescue, education, and advocacy work through monthly giving. Knowing that your generous support will be there each month allows us to plan ahead, save as many farm animals as possible, reach new audiences with humane education, and build a food system rooted in compassion, not cruelty. Learn more about what your steadfast support can make possible at farmsanctuary.org/giving.
ADOPT A FARM ANIMAL
Your recurring donation through the Adopt a Farm Animal program directly supports the daily care of our rescued animals, including food, housing, veterinary treatment, enrichment, and grooming. You will also help us inspire compassion by telling the stories of these resilient individuals, each one a symbol of hope for billions of farm animals. With thanks, we will send you a print or digital certificate featuring a photo of your newly adopted friend and their story.
BILLIONS OF REASONS TO GIVE
Farm Sanctuary cares for our hundreds of rescued farm animal residents each day, while also advocating for systemic change that will create a kinder world for billions of farm animals still suffering in our food system.
Whether you become a Sanctuary Sustainer, a farm animal adopter, or offer a one-time donation, your support means the world to farm animals in need. In thanks for your gift of $25 or more per year, you will receive a Farm Sanctuary membership and a one-year subscription to our member magazine, Sanctuary.
STAY TUNED FOR ADOPT A TURKEY!
Since 1986, Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt a Turkey Project has encouraged people to save a turkey instead of eating one each Thanksgiving season. Tragically, 46 million sentient and social turkeys are killed for this holiday every year, but you can embrace a kinder tradition and give turkeys someone to be thankful for. Your special gift will support the care of a rescued bird at Farm Sanctuary while inspiring kindness for all turkeys. Learn more (and meet this year’s adoptable flock soon!) at AdoptATurkey.org.
“Many years ago, when my wife’s brother died, we were left to administer a small family trust set up to provide grants to places that cared for at-risk animals, and/or homeless people. We soon discovered the groundbreaking, original, Farm Sanctuary, and have been providing support ever since. Congratulations on 40 years!” —Anonymous
EVERY GIFT MAKES AN IMPACT
There’s a way to give for everyone interested in being part of our mission.
Each time you give to Farm Sanctuary, you are shining the light of your compassion into the lives of farm animals. There are many ways to support our work to rescue and provide lifelong care for farm animals, educate thousands on the harms of animal agriculture, and advocate for an end to factory farming. Find out more at farmsanctuary.org/giving
Gifts of Stock Benefit You and Farm Animals
When you donate appreciated stock from your long-term holdings to Farm Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, you may be able to deduct its full market value without paying any tax on the long-term capital gain. Plus, Farm Sanctuary receives a larger gift than if you had sold the stock, paid tax on the gain, and given the remainder to Farm Sanctuary. Talk with your tax advisor about making a gift of stock.
Shop for Good, Earn Rewards
Be rewarded for your compassion. Using your Farm Sanctuary Visa Rewards Credit Card is an easy way to earn points, show pride as a Farm Sanctuary supporter, and strengthen our mission each time you shop. Farm Sanctuary receives a credit for each new account used within 90 days of approval. Plus, we will receive a 0.5% portion of the everyday purchases made on the credit card, as you earn 1 point for every dollar you spend. Redeem rewards points for gift cards, merchandise, travel, account credits, event tickets, and more. Subject to credit approval.
Help Us Educate Millions by 2027
Launched in 2024, the Bold Choice Fund is a high-impact educational initiative supporting people on a journey, from inspiration and discovery to meaningful changes in their diets and in their communities. By developing a peer-support
network for teachers, continuing a partnership with the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO), and establishing a Community Action Network (CAN) to support local outreach, we aim to reach millions more by 2027. Thank you to our generous supporters: Martin and Susan Madaus, Enriching the Lives of Animals Fund, Pietro Rotondi Foundation, Fred and Donna Nives Foundation, Jennifer Keegan, the Culley Carlson Foundation, and the Even Numbers Family Foundation. Learn more about how to get involved by visiting www.farmsanctuary.org/news-stories/ bold-choice-fund/.
Thank you to our Corporate Partners!
Partnerships are key to success in our mission for animals, people, and the planet. We maximize our impact by working with those who share our values and vision. Farm Sanctuary thanks these generous partners for their support and invites others to learn about our Corporate Partner program.
HELP NOW AT https://www.farmsanctuary.org/ helpnow
– SANCTUARY IN THE SPOTLIGHT –
In 2025, Farm Sanctuary put the animals’ stories in the headlines.
Our President and Co-founder, Gene Baur, penned powerful op-eds for The Hill and Newsweek on bird flu and factory farming. His commentary in The Minnesota Star-Tribune shed light on the suffering and deaths of millions of farm animals during transport for slaughter.
In The Providence Journal and The Newport Daily News, our Board Chair, Rob Procaccianti, called for a vote on a widely supported foie gras ban in his home state of Rhode Island.
Plus, on its podcast, “Why We Wrote This,” The Christian Science Monitor took a deeper dive into its story on Farm Sanctuary’s compassionate research into the emotions of farm animals.
And so much more. With your support, we are reaching an ever-growing audience.
Farm Sanctuary Wins Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award
Our Los Angeles-area shelter was honored with a 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Animal Encounter.” We are grateful to have been nominated by Newsweek’s editorial team and voted for by members of the public who were moved by their Farm Sanctuary visit, meeting our rescued residents, and hearing their stories from our dedicated team.
Tours of our sanctuaries play a key role in our efforts to educate the public on behalf of farm animals everywhere. Newsweek reaches more than 100 million people each month, and this recognition will help us spread our message of compassion worldwide.
Reaching Millions on “Extraordinary World with Jeff Corwin”
Biologist, conservationist, and Emmy winner Jeff Corwin visited our Los Angeles sanctuary to film an April 2025
episode of his CBS and Paramount+ show. “We’re at a very special place, which for many of these animals, is their last chance for a quality life of freedom and happiness,” he said.
Joining the Emmy-winning host was musician Moby, who spoke about the “transformational” experience of visiting our rescued residents. “It awakens the best part of ourselves,” said Moby. “The best part of humanity is the part of us that cares for the vulnerable.”
Through media attention like this and our far-reaching education efforts, more people than ever can share that moving experience, even if they can’t visit us in person.
Moby and Jeff Corwin
Q&A: MIYOKO SCHINNER, CHEF,
AUTHOR, & PLANT-BASED
ENTREPRENEUR
As a pioneer in the plant-based food industry, what are you working on now?
I have begun to focus on the importance of community in helping to lead to a greater adoption of veganism. Food is deeply cultural and communal.
A couple of years ago, I started a scrappy YouTube channel called The Vegan Good Life with Miyoko that aims to invite people into my kitchen and put them at ease while we cook and talk.
I’ve been leading vegan tours to Italy and Japan and cooking courses in Italy, and actively studying and learning about food systems, economics, and history.
Finally, I have a new cookbook (my 7th), “The Vegan Creamery” (Ten Speed Press/Penguin Random House), where I explore everything from plant milks to butter to cheese to ice cream.
In 2024, you also became a co-instructor in the University of California, Berkeley’s Plant Futures Challenge Lab. What do you hope students take away from this program?
In the course, we cover food history, the impacts of economics and politics on food systems, environmental consequences of animal agriculture, and more. The idea is to inspire and stimulate deep thinking about all of the current issues, as well as many of the solutions that are being proposed by corporate interests, farmers, NGOs, and more.
What inspired you to join Farm Sanctuary’s Board of Directors?
Gene Baur is an inspiring human being. When I learned he was back at the helm and broadening the sanctuary’s scope to reach more people, I knew I wanted to be a part of this.
I’m excited about the impact Farm Sanctuary is having on providing underserved communities with fresh fruits and vegetables and its work in education, which is reaching millions.
What moved you to establish a farm animal sanctuary, Rancho Compasión, and what role do you feel sanctuaries play in inspiring plant-based living?
This is our 10th anniversary! What started as me taking care of a couple of stray goats, then three little pigs, a goat, and a sheep couple (Benny and Joon, actually from Farm Sanctuary) has become a Bay Area hub for youth education.
Unlike most humane education programs, we don’t actively teach about animal agriculture or veganism, but let the animals be the ambassadors. We have found this to be very effective and have actually had many students become vegans or vegetarians. Studies have shown direct animal interactions to be one of the most effective stimuli for conversion to veganism.
At Farm Sanctuary, we love to meet people where they are on their journey toward a vegan lifestyle. Please share your pro tips for those starting to cook plant-based meals!
Whether from Italy, Africa, or Asia, legumes, vegetables, and grains have laid the foundation for most culinary traditions, and most of those foods were inexpensive and simple to prepare.
Research what your grandparents or great-grandparents ate, and chances are, their diets were built on a foundation of grains, legumes, and vegetables. So dig around a little, play around a little, and invite your friends and family into your kitchen to cook together.
This interview has been edited for length. See Miyoko’s complete responses on the FarmSanctuary.org blog.
ALMOND-CHICKPEA YOGURT
A recipe from Miyoko Schinner’s newest cookbook, “The Vegan Creamery”
Makes a generous 4 cups
≥ INGREDIENTS:
2 cups almonds
1 cup dried chickpeas
4 cups water
1/4 tsp vegan yogurt culture (such as Vegurt), or 2–3 Tbsp nondairy yogurt (homemade or store-bought)
≥ INSTRUCTIONS:
Put the almonds and chickpeas in a large bowl and pour enough water over them so they can double in volume, 4 to 5 inches above the beans. Cover the bowl and let soak for 8 to 12 hours. Drain the water and rinse well.
In a blender, combine the almonds, chickpeas, and the 4 cups water, and process until creamy. Pour the mixture into a nut milk bag or cheesecloth and squeeze to extract the milk into a large pot.
Set the pot over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring often with a whisk, until thickened. Let this cool to 110°F or below; it will become thicker as it cools.
Stir in the yogurt culture and maintain a temperature between 90°F and 110°F for 8 to 16 hours, until it is as tangy as you like. It will further thicken when chilled. Store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.
OLIVE’S RUN FOR FREEDOM
A six-week rescue changed everything for a grieving mother cow.
Pregnant, terrified, and alone, Olive cow spent months in the woods after escaping the cruelty of the dairy industry. Her long and complex rescue was made possible by your compassionate support.
In July 2024, Olive was one of several cows who courageously ran for their lives, escaping from a New York dairy farm. Unfortunately, all of the other animals were rounded up and sold, likely to face slaughter, but Olive clung to freedom. Locals spotted her regularly and soon reached out to us for help. When we learned that she may have given birth, the search for Olive grew more urgent.
Our dedicated rescue team was on the way immediately to do all we could to help this cow family in need.
We found Olive’s vulnerable calf in the woods, unable to stand, and we quickly brought him to Cornell for urgently needed veterinary care. Tragically, the young calf was suffering from severe and untreatable musculoskeletal and joint abnormalities. The veterinary team made the heartbreaking but compassionate decision to humanely euthanize him.
This may not have been the first time Olive had lost a calf. On dairy farms, cows are repeatedly impregnated only to have each baby taken from them, so their milk can be sold to humans.
But we were determined to ensure Olive would not suffer any more heartbreak.
Like many farm animals we rescue, Olive had likely never experienced human kindness. Understandably, she was afraid to come close. Our team spent weeks in the cold weather patiently waiting for Olive, and the property owners kindly helped us stock our pen with food and water.
Eventually, our rescuers’ patience and empathy were rewarded, as Olive summoned the trust to stay in our pen long enough for us to secure her for transport to Farm Sanctuary.
IN THE SAFETY OF SANCTUARY
Now surrounded by love, Olive is learning that she will never
have to be afraid again. Sarah Rappleye is our animal environment manager, but she’s known as “The Cow Whisperer” for her inspiring ability to connect with newly rescued cows and help them feel at home at Farm Sanctuary.
Sarah formed a special bond with Olive, who not only stopped hiding in the back of the barn but would even do a cute little happy dance when Sarah came in to give her apples or grain. Olive began accepting food directly from Sarah’s hand and no longer pulled away when her face was gently petted.
“Olive trusts a bit more each day and has shown that she is sweet and playful at times,” says Sarah.
The growing love she felt for her caregivers would soon be multiplied, as Olive met her herd.
FINDING HER FOREVER FRIENDS
Our hearts were filled with joy as once-lonely Olive joined her new cow companions, running and playing in the pasture. Today, she’s surrounded by love.
Though we’ll never be able to fill the hole in Olive’s heart left by the loss of her baby, we know the powerful bonds she’s already forming will help her heal. At Farm Sanctuary, Olive is safe. She is loved. She is finally home.
EDUCATION & ADVOCACY UPDATE
HUMANE EDUCATION: WE ARE REACHING MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER, WITH YOUR SUPPORT
Since Farm Sanctuary’s humane education program was relaunched in 2017, we have educated more than 250,000 people in 36 countries.
Our reach continues to grow each year. In 2024 alone, 144,000 people learned through our virtual curricula, collaborations with community partners, and world-class, on-site education program.
This work would not be possible without educators, and currently, 1,800 teachers are engaged in our humane education network, helping to build a kinder future for all.
Farm Sanctuary Wins Educator’s Choice Award
Announced in April 2025, Farm Sanctuary was honored with a 2024 Educator’s Choice Award for Best Youth Humane Education Program from the Association of Professional Humane Educators (APHE). This latest national recognition highlights our programs and will help us educate thousands more students around the world.
ADVOCACY: WORKING ACROSS MOVEMENTS TO CHANGE FOOD SYSTEMS
Our advocacy work extends beyond our sanctuaries to combat the structural abuses of animal agriculture and build a more just and sustainable plant-based food system rooted in compassion.
Fighting Factory Farming
In Rhode Island, we are urging lawmakers to bring a widely supported foie gras ban to a vote, from supporter action alerts to powerful op-eds written by Farm Sanctuary Board Chair and Rhode Island native Robert Procaccianti. Meanwhile, in Oregon, our Stand Up to Factory Farms Coalition work brought us to the State Capitol, where we lobbied lawmakers in support of SB 80, seeking to ban new and expanding factory farms near Oregon’s most polluted waterways.
Farm Sanctuary also continues its work in the courtroom, and is currently involved in several lawsuits that have the potential to improve the landscape for farmed animals.
Vegan Means to Accomplish Shared Goals
With our partners at the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO), we shifted 1.4 million meals in rural North Carolina, slashing carbon dioxide emissions by over 4 million pounds and boosting access to nutritious plant-based foods for underserved communities.
We engaged with lawmakers to urge support for the SNAP Cash Across America Act. This critical legislation would close gaps in current programs that exclude more than 20 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) families.
In May 2025, we launched the Los Angeles Eat for Impact initiative with Planted Society. Thirteen local restaurants representing nine diverse cuisines joined this month-long, community-driven campaign, offering new dishes to highlight the climate benefits of plant-based eating.
Green Rural Redevelopment Organization
Art by: Zoey Sophie
BIRD FLU:
HOW FACTORY FARMING IS CREATING THE NEXT PANDEMIC
Farm Sanctuary is sounding the alarm. Join us.
Farm Sanctuary’s powerful op-eds on bird flu and the dangers of factory farming have reached millions in: The Hill, Newsweek, Time, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Des Moines Register.
Farm Sanctuary was among the first to raise a red flag over the growing threat of bird flu, and with your help, we continue to raise awareness and call for an end to factory farming.
Since early 2022, bird flu has spread throughout the poultry industry and beyond. Globally, more than 300 million farmed birds have died or been killed due to outbreaks. In the U.S. alone, the staggering number of lives lost has reached over 175 million farmed birds.
The CDC has confirmed 70 human cases and one death in the United States. There has yet to be a documented case of person-to-person spread, but some have arisen from unknown exposure.
Bird flu’s spread from cattle and dairy farms across the country has further alarmed experts as a sign that bird flu is becoming more dangerous to mammals—a concern validated by a May 2025 report by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The findings revealed that mammalian outbreaks of bird flu were over twice as high in 2024 as in the previous year.
We must also remember that bird flu is not the only health hazard posed by our mass exploitation of animals. Zoonotic animal diseases able to spread to humans are reaching more regions, according to WOAH. Over two-thirds of the emerging diseases sickening humans originate in other animals, and alarmingly, one-in-five nations still use antibiotics to promote farm animal growth, contributing to antibiotic resistance, which kills over 1 million people worldwide annually.
Building a Safer Food System
At our California and New York shelters, we are taking every precaution to keep our rescued residents safe from bird flu—and our work to address this urgent situation goes far beyond the grounds of our sanctuaries.
Farm Sanctuary’s groundbreaking advocacy efforts are promoting systemic change for animals, people, and our planet.
Through legislative and policy work, we are urging a shift in funding away from factory farming and toward a safer and more sustainable plant-based food system. We continue to engage policymakers with our Food System Shift Roadmap, released in 2024, as a guide toward this food system that can nourish everyone without harming anyone.
…bird flu is becoming more dangerous to mammals—a concern validated by a May 2025 report by the WOAH”
Government Policies & Independent Action
A “YES, AND” APPROACH TO FOOD SYSTEM CHANGE FOR ANIMALS, PEOPLE, AND OUR PLANET
TRANSFORMING OUR FOOD SYSTEM
to be more just, sustainable, and compassionate requires more than choosing between top-down and bottom-up approaches. It demands both—bold government policies and community-led innovation. Farm Sanctuary uses this “yes, and” strategy because the systemic shift from factory farming to plant-based agriculture is too urgent and complex for either pathway to succeed alone.
Top-down change is essential. Federal and state policies shape how food is grown, produced, and consumed. Factory farming dominates because our government subsidizes it, channeling billions of dollars to industrial animal agriculture. We need new rules and
resource allocations that redirect funding and incentives toward plant-based farming, regenerative crop systems, and local food infrastructures. Policies should support farmers transitioning from animal agriculture, invest in plant-based research and education, and build equitable food access in underserved communities. Government action can create the foundation for a food system that works for all of us—animals, people, and our planet.
Last year, Farm Sanctuary released the Food System Shift Roadmap to show government leaders what is possible. Our coalition victories made plant-based foods more accessible for more than 30 million students. Now, we’re leading on major bills, co-sponsored by 400+ organizations representing 30 million
Julie Garreau, CEO, Cheyenne River Youth Project
members, to shift nutrition spending in more plantbased directions. We’re showing how shared priorities can be accomplished through vegan means, from Capitol Hill to state legislatures nationwide.
But policies don’t emerge in a vacuum—they respond to cultural momentum, grassroots pressure, and demonstrated success. This is where independent community action is indispensable. Across the country, visionary local organizations are already modeling
what the future of food can look like. The Cheyenne River Youth Project in South Dakota is revitalizing Indigenous foodways through its 3-acre garden and robust food sovereignty programs, reconnecting youth with plant-based traditions.
In North Carolina, the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO) works to build a sustainable food economy rooted in racial equity, helping communities gain access to healthy, locally grown produce. Just last year, in collaboration with Farm Sanctuary, GRRO shifted 1.4 million meals to combat diet-related diseases with plant-based solutions. That’s tens of thousands of animals saved, with the potential to scale up to save millions more
You can join us, too. Newly launched in 2025, Farm Sanctuary’s Community Action Network (CAN) empowers volunteers and supports changemakers in sanctuaries, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, and community centers across the country. Together, we can support rescue to change the lives of individual farm animals, education to change hearts and minds, and advocacy to change systems. We invite you to join this network: Use the QR code to access exclusive staff webinars, resources, and training to lead or support initiatives in your own community. It takes a village, but together, we CAN change the world.
These changemakers are not waiting for permission to act—they are building healthier, more resilient food systems now. Their work proves what’s possible when communities are resourced and empowered. When government agencies and lawmakers recognize the success of grassroots solutions, they can amplify and scale them through funding, technical assistance, and regulatory reform. Our team is here to support them.
At Farm Sanctuary, we believe real transformation happens at the intersection of policy and community action. When policymakers elevate and institutionalize the work of local leaders, and grassroots changemakers organize and push for systemic support, a feedback loop emerges—one that accelerates the shift toward a more compassionate and sustainable food system.
This is not a question of government versus grassroots, but of government with grassroots. We need a food future where forward-looking policy aligns with community ingenuity, where power and resources flow to those reimagining what’s possible, and where animals, people, and the planet are all part of the solution. By embracing a “yes, and” framework, we can build the momentum necessary for enduring, meaningful change. Please join us!
LEARN MORE! https://farmsanctuary.org/CAN
A PIG’S JOURNEY from Loneliness to Love
Happy found the perfect forever home in our Farm Animal Adoption Network (FAAN).
For years, Happy endured the loss of her family and piglets to meat production, but when her guardian had a change of heart, her life was transformed.
The farmers realized they had bonded with Happy and chose to save her life. After all, who wouldn’t form a connection with sweet and gentle Happy?
When asked to help, we turned to our Farm Animal Adoption Network (FAAN), which helps us save animals by placing them with trusted adopters. Thankfully, our friends at Dominion Farm Animal Sanctuary could offer Happy a truly sweet home in Alabama, where she would join fellow Farm Sanctuary rescue pigs.
First, we brought Happy to Cornell for veterinary care and spaying. She recovered during a temporary stay at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, where she quickly won the hearts of everyone she met. Her caregivers described Happy as an incredibly sweet individual (despite all the heartache in her past), with big ears reflecting her even bigger heart.
“Being part of the Farm Animal Adoption Network not only offers connection and community within the sanctuary movement but opens the door for rescues made possible by collaboration.”
Amanda Upshaw, founder of Dominion Farm Animal Sanctuary, a trusted FAAN partner.
It was a slow and stressful journey to Alabama. Before hitting the road, we gave Happy medication to prevent nausea, but she was a bit motion sick nonetheless. Our team checked on her frequently and did their best to keep her comfortable until Happy’s dream life became a reality as she arrived safely at her new home. She immediately began to explore and meet new friends.
Happy has nothing but love ahead of her, thanks to your support and the life-saving connections made through our community of adopters.
Doesn’t every animal deserve to be happy?
HAVE FUN! SUPPORT FARM ANIMALS
us at Farm Sanctuary events
When you visit Farm Sanctuary for events at our New York or California sanctuaries (or beyond), you’ll find a compassionate community, learn the stories of our rescued animal residents, and leave knowing our vision of a kinder world is already being built thanks to your support.
Visit FarmSanctuary.org/events to see what’s coming up soon!
CELEBRATION FOR THE TURKEYS
≥ New York: November 1, 2025
≥ California: November 15, 2025
Don’t miss our 2025 Celebration for the Turkeys this November! A tradition that began the year of our founding, this annual holiday event is centered around the compassionate way to have a turkey at the Thanksgiving table: as the guest of honor. Join us as we celebrate our rescued turkey residents and enjoy a festive vegan feast.
This is a sanctuary for rescued farm animals—and for a couple of nights (or more!), it can be yours, too. Choose from one of our charming tiny houses or cabins, or camp under the stars. Enjoy a vegan breakfast at our cafe before taking a private tour to meet our rescued residents. Volunteer to help with farm work and animal enrichment, making your stay even more meaningful. Browse our Sanctuary Shop for apparel and sustainable gifts. Dream of a more compassionate future—and see how we’re building it together at Farm Sanctuary.
BOOK NOW! http://farmsanctuary.org/stay
≥ Our Watkins Glen, New York, sanctuary offers public and private guided tours from May through October! Book your private tour online, or email experienceny@ farmsanctuary.org to request an alternate date or time.
≥ Our Los Angeles, California, sanctuary is open yearround for guided tours! Public tours can be booked for Saturdays and Sundays, and private tours are available on Fridays. To request a private tour on an alternate day, email experienceca@farmsanctuary.org
IN-PERSON SANCTUARY TOURS
Hundreds of farm animals live at Farm Sanctuary, and each individual has a moving story to be told. Come get to know our wonderful rescued animal friends on a guided tour of their home.
DURING YOUR VISIT, YOU CAN:
✓ Take an hour-long, guided sanctuary tour
✓ Spend time with our rescued animal residents
✓ Enjoy a delicious vegan lunch at our on-site cafe (NY)
✓ Browse our Sanctuary Shop for apparel, books, and sustainable gifts
✓ Make an impact by volunteering
Advanced registration is required.
BOOK A TOUR! http://farmsanctuary.org/bookatou r
SHOP FOR GOOD
SHOP NOW! http://farmsanctuary.org/shop-now
From apparel to home goods, books, and more, our online Sanctuary Shop has a gift for everyone (and don’t forget to treat yourself!). Every purchase supports our vital work, and each time you wear Farm Sanctuary gear, you’ll spread a message of compassion!
Accessories
Save Animals Eat Plants Tee
Cow Embroidered Hat
Farm Sanctuary Retro Hoodie
Ginger & Spice Candle
Marine Logo Tee
Animal Icon Travel Pack
Pocket Logo Tee
Navy Zip Logo Hoodie
Eat Plants Tee
Black 2-Tone Logo Hoodie
Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 to combat the abuses of factory farming, advocate for food system reforms, and encourage a new awareness of farm animals and the benefits of cruelty-free, plant-based living. In recent years, science has confirmed the inhumane and destructive impact of animal agriculture—an industry based on interrelated oppression and injustice. As the world’s founding farm animal sanctuary, Farm Sanctuary has rescued and provided refuge for countless survivors of the animal agriculture system. Today, at Farm Sanctuary’s Acton, California, and Watkins Glen, New York, sanctuaries, you will find hundreds of rescued animals—each with an individual story to tell. These survivors are ambassadors, representing the billions of farm animals currently in the system. They, and others like them, are changing the hearts and minds of generations.
