Last week saw Farm Sanctuary residents enjoying the good life (as they always do). On the agenda: Special snacks, a brand-new plaything built just for them, a happy “rebirth-day.” and a very meaningful anniversary.
Snack Time!
In case you missed it, August 3rd was National Watermelon Day! If there are two things we love, they are making animals happy and celebrating plant-based eating, so this is a Farm Sanctuary kind of holiday if ever there was one. Many of our residents got in on the watermelon action, including some recent arrivals who are just beginning to experience what Farm Sanctuary life has to offer.
Let the watermelon feast commence!
Just months ago, the extremely enthusiastic watermelon fans above were living in squalor at a horrific “farm-to-table” operation in Cattaraugus County, NY. (Regular readers of Animals of Farm Sanctuary may remember Tad rooster, in the center.) After spending so much time suffering in unfit conditions, they are now free to live out their lives with room to explore, loving care from people who respect them – and sometimes, extra-special snacks like watermelon!
The ladies digging in to their fruit treat!
Watermelon feast timelapse!
Tad, in true rooster style, takes a break from his snack to keep an eye on things and make sure his ladies are safe.
Maurice turkey, visiting us from out of state and developing a reputation for being fabulous while he’s here, really dug in to the watermelon.
Now these are good roommates! Chucky goat and his chicken and turkey pals eating together.
Sleepy pig, who was born on an Iowa factory farm and rescued during the 2008 Midwest floods, absolutely loves watermelon (as you might be able to tell)!
Sleepy happily chowed down, rind and all!
A New “Jungle Gym!”
As we all know, goats love to climb, jump, and play. So this week, we added a new play structure in the enclosure of one of our resident goat groups.
The jungle gym was constructed entirely from recycled wood.
Facilities Maintenance Coordinator John constructing the frame.
Farm Projects Assistant Jim making sure everything is shipshape – only the best for our goat friends!
The beginnings of a goat jungle gym!
Marjorie (front), Otto, and their pygmy goat buddies Lucie, Za, Henry, and Lola patiently await the completion of their new jungle gym.
Some of our amazing volunteers hard at work.
Lucie, Henry, Za, and Lola testing out their new jungle gym after the completion of the flooring.
Completed jungle gym!
Siblings Henry and Lola give it their stamp of approval.
Goodwin gives the jungle gym a test drive.
How’s the view, Goodwin?
Goodwin’s view included the occupants of a nearby pasture – including Maggie, who was looking back at him from the jungle gym in her own pasture!
Maggie was very curious about this new development.
Meanwhile, her buddy Min looked on…
…Tatiana peered out from the barn…
…and Archie remained his dapper-gentleman self throughout.
Happy “Rebirth-day”!
This week marked two years since Chandini cow, the tiny spitfire of the main cattle herd, joined the Farm Sanctuary family.
Early on in Chandini’s life at Farm Sanctuary, she wasn’t yet able to join the other cattle, but she found friends in goats like Maxie.
Today, this small-but-mighty girl is the toast of the main herd, beloved by her much bigger steer herdmates.
Happy “rebirth-day,” Chandini! (Read her story here.)
A Very Special Anniversary
Thirty years ago this week, we rescued our very first resident: Hilda sheep, whose inspiring story of survival has helped so many people come to see farm animals like her as someone, not something.
Rescued from a pile of dead animals at a stockyard, Hilda was once discarded like trash, but at Farm Sanctuary she was seen as the treasure she was. She went on to spend more than 10 years happily grazing and exploring our pastures, inspiring everyone she met along the way. (Learn more here.)
For more Farm Sanctuary updates, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Want to meet our incredible rescued residents in person? Learn how to visit here. Want to help? Your support makes our rescue, education, and advocacy efforts possible. You can also help by sharing our residents’ stories to spread the word that farm animals like them are each someone, not something. A compassionate world begins with you!
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