Farm Sanctuary
A few weeks ago, I moved to Watkins Glen, New York to begin a 3-month internship at Farm Sanctuary. I am so excited to be here and am absolutely loving the experience.
When I arrived here on February 28th at the tail-end of yet another snowstorm, the mist was so thick it seemed like the world had dropped off on either side. When the weather finally broke a couple of weeks ago, caregivers opened the giant duck pond, and the entire farm rang with the sound of their joyful squawking.
Though I’m mostly working in the office, I’ve been able to spend some time on the shelter meeting Farm Sanctuary’s many residents. Last weekend I met Gloria, a sweet goat who gets picked on by the other goats because she’s a hermaphrodite. I helped take her for a walk, which was adorable — she trotted right alongside and bounded after us attentively when we called, just like a dog would. Though she was a bit timid at first, she eventually warmed up and rubbed her face into my leg a few times as we made our way back to the barn.
I also had the good fortune to be around when two new rescues arrived. Vito and Clancy are two beautiful year-old steers that had been on the run in Pennsylvania for two weeks. Calves are usually rambunctious and playful, so it was really upsetting to see how scared and distrusting of humans they were when they first arrived. Even so, it’s wonderful to watch them progress; while they still won’t let you touch them, they’ll come right up to you and give you a thorough licking. Rather than being killed for their flesh before turning two, these boys are safe and will spend the rest of their lives soaking in as much love as they can take.
I know a lot of the language I employed in the last few paragraphs seems overused, but they really aren’t idle words. As humans, we often take safety, love and respect for granted because they’re so basic and central to our lives. When we fawn over the cat memes and cute animal videos that are so integral to the Web, we take for granted that the animals pictured are happy and safe. But the truth is, safety, love and respect are rare things for farm animals to experience and receive. As such, what’s going on every single day at Farm Sanctuary really is a big deal.
If you’re in the area, tour season begins May 1st, so come visit! I have sweet animal stories coming out the ears, and I’d love to share them with you. (And don’t worry, more recipes are on the way!)
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Awe.. good for you! All the animals are lucky to have you in there lives… what a great experience for everyone involved!
Best wishes…
That video of Gloria brought tears to my eyes. Poor sweet thing. I love that she’s at Farm Sanctuary now, but it just makes me think about all the other goats (and cows, pigs, chickens, etc.) who are not.
I feel the same way. While I am so overjoyed for the animals that have made it here, I think it’s important to make all the connections and not forget WHY they’re here, and why we need sanctuaries in the first place.
I love that you’re BFFs with a hermaphroditic goat. I love Farm Sanctuary. I will come visit you at some point while you’re there.
Me, too. Definitely come!
Wow you are incredibly lucky to be able to have such experiences with these animals, how rewarding! Please share your stories with us! I plan on visiting during “tour season” this year, I think the idea of the farm sanctuary is so heart-warming and I plan to take my whole family to visit with me. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the encouragement, Amanda! I’ll see what I can sprinkle in. And Farm Sanctuary is definitely a great place to bring your family!
My SO and I rented one of the cabins at Farm Sanctuary for the weekend last fall. It is such a beautiful place and the animals…..I have no words. We were in the pig barn and as soon as someone bent over some of the pigs would flop on their sides for a belly rub. I can’t wait to go back.
I hope you have a wonderful experience during your internship, I’m so jealous. What I wouldn’t do to spend 3 months there.
Seriously, the pigs just sop up belly rubs.
Such a lovely experience! I love Gloria! Wish we had such sancturies in India as well!
this made me all teary. what a wonderful experience. you writing was NOT overused at all. these are the kinds of experiences all humans need to have to see how close we are to the planet and all its inhabitants, so we can stop the horrible systems currently in place.
I just found your blog through Twitter. It’s great! As a new vegan, I think it will be really helpful for me! I’ve donated to Farm Sanctuary for a few years but haven’t made it up there yet. I hope to go this year! And I hope you’ll post some stories about your experience there.