I am vegan for the animals. Every choice I make is done so in an effort to make life better for animals on this planet. Sometimes this drive is like a full-fledged bonfire, but sometimes life gets hectic or my mind gets clouded with other things and it dwindles down to just a flame. The fire is always there but sometimes it just needs a little fuel. Sometimes all I need is to just look into my dear canine companion's eyes and share a moment in our existence together, and sometimes I crave something a little larger. This is when I visit animal sanctuaries.
There are many animal sanctuaries throughout the U.S., but one that Chris and I very strongly support is Farm Sanctuary. Farm Sanctuary rescues animals from factory farms, as well as other terrifying conditions, and then cares for them and gives them a home where they are safe from harm. Though we donate to them regularly and participate in their Walk For Farm Animals every year, we had not yet visited their southern California location in Acton, Animal Acres. So one beautiful sunny day in June, we traveled there with Maxwell and Sophia for a tour and to visit with the animals Farm Sanctuary has rescued.
As you meet the animals during the tour, the tour guide explains to you the conditions that each animal typically comes from. Though we already knew of the absolutely horrific lives these animals typically live, it was good for the twins to hear it from someone other than Chris or I. During the tour, you also get to meet the individual animals, learn their names, and if they're up for it, get some petting and cuddling time in. These are some of the wonderful animals we had the pleasure of meeting that day:
Farm Sanctuary has locations in southern California, northern California, and New York. If you have the opportunity, please visit one of these locations and take some time to meet the animals. Sometimes, there is nothing more blissful than rubbing a sleeping pig's belly or touching a cow's face and feeling the level of peace these magnificent creatures exude. There's nothing like it to refuel your passion to help animals or to ignite a new flame altogether.
Photography by Chris Miller
sara
Your post today reminded me why I do what I do and that the choices I make for my family can have a positive effect on the world around me. Seeing the pictures above help to refuel the fire within my heart. Sometimes we do get lost in the day to day and forget why we make the choices that we do. I needed this reminder today, so thank you for visiting Farm Sanctuary and for your wonderful blog post. It couldn't have been more perfect for me today. I look forward to the day when I can take my daughter to visit one of Farm Sanctuary's locations and instill in her the same love for animals that I have.
Caitlin
so heart warming and beautiful <3
Cadry
I'm so glad you were able to visit Animal Acres! I totally agree on the healing power and rejuvenation from visiting animals on their own terms. There's so much joy that I get from being vegan, but there is sadness too knowing that so many animals are harmed and living lives and deaths where they will never know compassion. Getting to be around animals who have suffered but escaped, who have known the worst of human beings and then the best, gives me such a feeling of peace. That the animals there could trust humans again after the histories they've had speaks to the true power of forgiveness. It fills me with awe and thankfulness.
Emma
I would so love to visit a farm sanctuary, I can only imagine how moving it must be. Your photos really capture the animals' spark 🙂
Richa
those are some beautiful sweeties. So awesome that you get to visit them and the twins met them too.
that cow looks mighty huge! and the pigs look like they love a belly rub:)
Chris captured them beautifully.
i need to visit the Pigs peace sanctuary here. should probably visit when my parents are visiting.
Andrea
Your post so beautifully captures the calm and safety of the sanctuary compared to the horrors of the animals' lives before being rescued. I try so hard to be open-minded and accepting of everyone's dietary choices but it really is hard when I can't help thinking about how sad the lives of food animals are.
luminousvegans
Oh wow! You are so lucky. My dream is to visit a sanctuary one day to actually meet the animals that we all do this for.
Amanda
Awww, I love this post. Farm Sanctuary is on my list of places I really want to visit. I've even thought of making a 'vacation' out of it, since it's quite a drive from Boston.
I think it's so important for people to make the connection between what's on their plates and these (living, feeling, loving) animals. There's such a disconnect.
Suzanne
What fun pictures! I hope to make it out to Farm Sanctuary one of these days!
babette
I would love to visit an animal sanctuary... although I imagine it must be tough to think about what those innocent beings have been through because of man,
The pictures are lovely and right now, I think I'd actually prefer to cuddle with a pig than with one of my cats! Thank you for sharing your trip with us.
Somer
Seriously gorgeous animals. I hope to visit farm sanctuary someday. I've been to Best Friends, the Utah sanctuary multiple times and I'm always amazed at how much goes into it all. xx
Courtney @ The Fig Tree
I very much hope I can visit a farm sanctuary one day. I would love to have my own one day to be honest. I just love that the animals get to live full, happy lives and are well taken care of. The pictures are so heart warming. The pig's smile made my heart happy! So cute! 🙂
Ashlee
FS is such a magical place. Heck, most sanctuaries are hella magical. Love the contented look of this goat, too. 🙂
Heather
Thank you for sharing this Kristy- the pictures are amazing!
keepinitkind
Thank you!
Kirsty Petty
Love this post .... I love Farm Sanctuary and one day hope to visit!
keepinitkind
THank you- it really is an inspiring place to visit. 🙂
slywlf
Recently I was able to visit the Woodstock farm animal sanctuary, and it was an amazing experience! We were greeted by a handsome turkey who graciously accepted our unanimous adoration 😉 The goats (my personal fave) were delightful, with the sheep and pigs right after them as sweet and dear. The animals that totally blew me away were the grown up veal calves - we almost never see the males of the breeds that we get milk from as they are usually killed young. These two were HUGE! Beautiful, stately and totally awesome! It made me grateful for the dairy allergy that has kept me from drinking milk since the early 80s!