Farm sanctuaries provide welfare refuges for animals rescued from farming systems and offer models for high-standard individual animal care.
Farm sanctuaries represent the opposite of industrial farming welfare conditions - high individual attention, stable social groups, and freedom to express natural behaviours without production pressure. While sanctuaries cannot replace systemic welfare reform, they serve important functions in demonstrating what is possible when farm animals' individual needs are prioritised and in educating the public about farm animal welfare and individuality.