Sanctuary Farm Animal Care Standards

Farm animal sanctuaries provide refuge for animals rescued from agricultural systems and must meet high standards to provide the lifetime care these animals require.

Key Facts

Hundreds of farm animal sanctuaries operate globally providing lifetime care for pigs, cows, chickens, and sheep
Farm animals at sanctuaries often have significant health problems from their previous lives
Accreditation through organizations like GFAS helps standardize sanctuary quality
Educational programs at sanctuaries help visitors understand farm animal cognition and welfare
Sanctuary residents often live far longer than their commercial counterparts

Welfare Considerations

Farm animal sanctuaries demonstrate what is possible when the welfare needs of farmed species are prioritized over production goals. Pigs who live for 15+ years, cows who develop complex social bonds over decades, and chickens who express full natural behavior reveal the profound gap between sanctuary welfare and commercial production. Sanctuaries also provide evidence-based education about farm animal cognition and welfare to visitors who may never have otherwise engaged with these animals as individuals.

What You Can Do

Visit accredited farm animal sanctuaries to connect with animals as individuals
Donate to well-managed sanctuaries providing lifetime care for rescued farm animals
Support sanctuary educational programs that build public understanding of farm animal welfare
Volunteer with local sanctuaries to contribute to the daily care of their residents