By Susie
Last year, we expanded our rescue and refuge network with the addition of a shelter in Acton, CA, just outside of Los Angeles. Now named Farm Sanctuary’s Animal Acres, this facility is currently home to 69 chickens, seven ducks, 19 pigs, two geese, 13 goats, 16 cattle, nine sheep, 23 turkeys, and three horses. Our dedicated caregivers give their very best to these animals every day. We also have amazing volunteers who work at the shelter every week. I love getting to know all the people and animals that make Farm Sanctuary’s Animal Acres a special place. I am happy to share some stories of a few of the special residents here.
Here are some of the new members of the Farm Sanctuary family:
Sabrina, along with her seven newborn piglets, was rescued from a backyard butcher operation, where she and many other animals languished in neglect, forced to hear the screams of their dying companions. Despite her own suffering and peril, Sabrina’s only concern was for her piglets. Although her babies are now grown and live safely with her at Farm Sanctuary’s Animal Acres, she remains ardently protective of them.
Dandypants was brought to Farm Sanctuary’s Animal Acres after he was found running loose in Los Angeles County — it’s likely that he escaped from a local “live market.” Such businesses, where live animals are selected by customers to be butchered on-site, perpetuate a host of animal cruelties, from miserable living conditions to brutal slaughter procedures. Now safe from such perils, Dandypants struts proudly about the sanctuary grounds, enjoying the company of the other rescued chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese who call Farm Sanctuary’s Animal Acres home.
When Bruno tumbled from a moving transport truck onto a busy highway near Palmdale, CA, he miraculously survived the fall and the traffic. He was picked up by local animal control, whose protocol is to give up abandoned cattle for auction, but through coordination between the agency and Farm Sanctuary’s Animal acres, the calf avoided that peril as well. Safe forever from slaughter (and highway traffic), Bruno now spends his days roaming the rolling hill pastures with his fellow steers and receiving chin scratches from visitors.
