These large-scale facilities are animal factories that breed, raise, and kill animals as quickly and cheaply as possible. Hundreds of thousands of living beings are confined to crowded sheds and subjected to cruel and painful practices strongly opposed by most U.S. consumers. Even on smaller farms, and those marketed with claims like “cage-free” or “humane,” many animals are subjected to some of the same suffering.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. At Farm Sanctuary, we are not only rescuing animals from the horrors of our food system, but transforming the food system itself—educating millions of people and advocating for plant-based agriculture rooted in compassion.

Below, meet two of the inspiring factory farm survivors who live at Farm Sanctuary, where they’ve found a lifetime of care and kindness, and their stories inspire change for farm animals everywhere.

Born on a dairy factory farm, Pietro was deemed worthless because male calves like him can’t produce milk. Most are sold for beef or veal, but Pietro, who was suffering from a severely broken leg, would not have brought the farm owner a profit that way either. This meant that this vulnerable calf was soon going to be killed, but a rescuer saw his plight and turned to Farm Sanctuary for a forever home at our New York shelter, where Pietro would be given all the care he needed.

Today, Pietro has healed from the pain of his past and grown into a calm, gentle guy who loves affection, especially chin scratches. Snacks are another favorite for him, and he loves apples and grains! When visitors arrive on our guided tours to meet our rescued residents and learn their stories, Pietro is delighted to be the center of attention, as his loving personality inspires compassion for millions of cows and calves who need our voice.

After suffering on factory farms, millions of farm animals perish on the long, grueling drive to slaughterhouses. Some succumb to extreme heat or cold, while others jump or tumble from transport trucks onto busy roads. The fall is often fatal, but ironically, it saved Jessica’s life. Traffic was halted as animal control officers helped get Jessica and eight other survivors into a car headed not toward death, but toward a happy and safe new life at Farm Sanctuary.

Jessica now hangs out with a close-knit flock of friends who do everything together, from lounging in the sun to dustbathing and snuggling. Mealtime is her favorite. Commercially farmed Cornish chickens are bred by the industry for rapid growth, which can lead to injuries and heart attacks. To protect our Cornish residents like Jessica, we offer a special diet at specific times. Jessica knows exactly where to meet us for food and excitedly waddles right over!