The Sanctuary

Buddha was rescued with his friend Aaron Rodgers and 5 other animals while just a baby. At one week old, he was terrified, extremely malnourished, and riddled with infection. He, along with several others at the Sanctuary, had to be bottle fed round the clock while receiving extensive medical care. Without us, Buddha would have been confined to a veal crate with no love or care. and he would have been slaughtered for veal at just 8 weeks old. Thankfully that was not the fate for this sweet boy. He's now happy, healthy, and very affectionate!

Goose is a Holstein cow who was rescued from a slaughter auction at just two weeks old. He entered the auction ring panicked and afraid. You could see the terror in his eyes as he began to run frantically in an attempt to break free. Just like all cows, Goose has many emotions: happiness, sadness, contentment and fear (just like humans). Thankfully, we were at the auction house that day, and now Goose will never know fear like that again.

Jesus was just two days old when he was taken from his mother and transported to the slaughter auction. Although he was too weak to barely stand, he was physically paraded around the auction ring for sale. Without the nutrition of his mother's milk, Jesus' little body became extremely weak and dehydrated. Due to the condition he was in when taken to auction, Jesus was fighting disease, infections, and trauma, and almost passed away twice shortly after coming to our Sanctuary. After several weeks of extensive medical care, round the clock bottle feedings and months of medications, this sweet boy pulled through. Jesus is a “by-product” of the dairy industry. There is no use for these baby boys since they can’t be impregnated and then milked for human consumption so they are killed as babies for veal. Jesus is a spunky, loving cow who loves people so much that he’ll try to nibble on your hair or shirt if he can reach you!

Aaron Rodgers along with Jesus, Mary, Goose, and Buddha were rescued from a slaughter auction. At the time, Aaron was only one week old. Having been taken from his mother so young, Aaron was malnourished and dehydrated when he arrived at our Sanctuary. Thankfully he proved to be a fighter and was strong enough to survive. He's now happy and healthy and living his life at Animal Friends Sanctuary. You can often find him wearing his favorite green halter and hanging out with his best friend Buddha.

Louie is a mini mule that was brought to us from a neglect case where he was put in a field alone with no herd members or human contact. Louie also shows signs that he was beaten in his past, he is extremely head shy and will tuck away, so we ensure to always use slow motions around him. Louie never had farrier care or vet care prior to coming to us at Heal. Our farrier and vets have worked patiently with us to ensure Louie gets the care he needs. Louie has come a long way in his time with us, and still has a long way to go. Each day, we work with him and he is slowly learning to trust again. Louie watches over the sheep and spends his days grazing in the pasture. He has a spunky attitude, and we don’t know what we would do without him.

Mary is a Hereford cow who was rescued from slaughter when she was about 9 months old. She has had a very laid back and sweet personality since the day we met her, and is loved by everyone she meets. Had we not been at the auction the day Mary was sold she would have ended up as part of the dairy industry. Having numerous babies in order for her to produce milk for human consumption.

William, along with his brother Harry, were rescued at just 6 weeks old. When we brought them to the safety of our Sanctuary, they were untrusting of people and terrified. With time, patience, and love, we gained their trust and helped them to mature into happy and social boys. Unfortunately, William's brother Harry passed away at just 8 months old. William mourned the loss of his brother and never left his side as we prepared a burial site. During this period, we spent extra time with him to assure him that he was loved. Over time our bonds with William grew immensely, and he is now one of the main ambassadors for our Sanctuary. William loves potatoes, watermelon, belly rubs, and will sit for a treat.

Phillip, or the drama queen of Heal, is a potbelly pig who has called our sanctuary home since 2018. Phillip came to us severely obese and could barely walk or get around. He has been on a strict diet and exercise regime ever since arriving at Heal. That doesn’t seem to stop him though. Phillip will try to sneak away during turnout or before bedtime to break into the chicken coop or try to steal Taz the barn cat's food bin. Thankfully we have caught onto Phillips antics and have Phillip-proofed all the other residents' food. When Phillip doesn’t get his way, he throws a hissy fit and runs off screaming, hence being the drama queen. Even though Phillip always keeps us on our toes, he is one of the gentlest pigs we have ever met and love spending time with him.

Emma is a potbelly pig who was rescued after being listed on craigslist as a “feeder pig.” She was one of the first sanctuary residents and is known as the princess of Heal. Princess Emma is getting older, but that does not stop her from enjoying her days of luxury. Emma starts her day with her special breakfast, takes her mid-morning nap and then heads out to pasture for the afternoon. You will often find her taking a long mid-afternoon snooze in a freshly made bed by her servants Al and Phillip. Emma gets catered too not only by staff, but by Al and Phillip who always ensure the bed is fluffed up and cozy. Emma finishes her day with another special meal, often with added goodies from staff lunches or special treats brought in for her and goes back off to sleep on her memory foam mattress before waking up to start another day.

Al is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of Heal Farm Sanctuary. He is sweet and loving, but also has a spicy side to him. Al is a spunky potbelly pig who came to us in February 2022. Heal is Al’s fourth and final home. Unfortunately, Al was tossed around the first several years of his life. He never really had time to settle in his prior homes, and this instability during his formative years led to some of his personality quirks. Since being with us, he has mellowed out, but still has a dash of spice. Al is the most active of our potbelly pigs and can often be seen strutting the pastures or taking a dip in his kiddie pool during the hot summer months.

Cora’s bio coming soon!

Alfie’s bio coming soon!

Sidney’s bio coming soon!

Bucky and his brother Milo were surrendered to the sanctuary in August 2018 when their owners were moving and could no longer care for them. Bucky is a friendly boy who loves to play on the goat playground and jump on the trampoline. Bucky has traveled to several events with us acting as an ambassador for the farm by helping spread the message of treating all animals with kindness.

Milo was surrendered with his brother Bucky in August 2018 when their owners were moving and left them with no place to go. Milo acts like the roughest and toughest goat of the herd, but deep down he is the biggest baby of the crew. Out of all five goats, he is the largest, yet anytime something goes wrong he has the smallest little cry. He loves to sleep in freshly made straw beds and is very picky about his snacks.

Blanche was seized from a neglect case with her sister Dorothy. They had little to no human contact before coming to Heal, so it took them a very long time to warm up. Over time, Blanche has become much braver since being with us and is still learning how to trust. She is very curious and loves to investigate what her caretakers are up to. She is a spoiled princess now, and even has her very own bed and pillow in her stall to sleep on.

Dorothy is the shyest of all the goats at Heal. She is very bonded to her sister, Blanche, and they are never too far apart. Dorothy was severely neglected in her prior home, while Blanche has come out of her shell, Dorothy remains much more reserved. She will occasionally come up to us for snacks and treats, with grapes and crackers being her favorites. We hope with more time and patience, Dorothy will learn to trust her caregivers and learn that not all humans are bad – and that all of the humans at the sanctuary are good.

Sugar and her friends, Coco and Cookie, were living in an 8x8 pen under a deck outside. Sugar had poor hoof care prior to coming to Heal, but after working with our farrier (and a few pedicures later), she is now walking pain free. Sugar lives up to name and is definitely “sweet as sugar.” She is laid-back lady and rarely misses her afternoon nap where she sneaks away from the crew to snooze in peace.

Coco was surrendered to our care after living in a tiny pen with Sugar and Cookie. Unknowingly to us, Coco surprised us one morning with twins! Her daughters, Chanel and Ella, have happily lived with their mother for their entire lives. Chanel and Ella were lucky Coco was rescued when she was – they have only known the good life! Coco is still a wonderful mother who looks out for her girls as well as the rest of the herd.

Chanel and her sister Ella were born at our sanctuary a few weeks after their mama Coco, and friends were rescued from a neglect case. Coco knew she was finally somewhere safe where she could raise her two daughters in peace, without them ever having to endure suffering. Chanel is the more reserved of the twins, only seeking out attention when she finds fitting and doing her own thing. She loves the freedom to roam pasture during the day with her family and live a life of leisure at Heal.

Ella and her sister Chanel are the first two animals that were born at our sanctuary. Their mom, Coco, was rescued from a home where she wasn't being properly cared for. Much to our surprise, just a few short weeks after coming to our sanctuary, Coco gave birth to twin girls! Chanel and Ella are two of the fortunate ones, in that they have only known a life of love, kindness, and respect from humans.

Cookie, Sugar and Coco were discovered living in deplorable conditions in a small pen under a shed. They had little access to sunlight and barely enough room to turn around. They were released to our care and have been with us since 2018. Cookie loves to snuggle with her caregivers and will often give head butts if you stop giving her scratches. She wags her tail in excitement every time she sees someone she knows and loves.

Dale is a Bergen Lester sheep who came to us after his owner with dementia was unable to care for him. Dale joined our five other female sheep and has certainly become a ladies’ man. He is a sweet boy who can usually be found prancing around and begging his caregivers for more apple slices.

Scuba Steve joined us in the summer of 2022. At his previous home, he was bullied by all the other chickens and made an outcast. We welcomed him to our sanctuary with open arms, and he became the leader of our flock. He loves to stand up on his perch and watch over the courtyard. Scuba Steve may be small, but he is a mighty little bantam rooster. Even though he is the smallest resident at the sanctuary, weighing in at less than 2 pounds, he is one of the most feared by his caregivers for his beloved “sneak attacks.”

Mordecai came to Heal in the fall of 2022 after his owners decided to let him live the sanctuary life rather than become their next Thanksgiving meal. Mordecai is a very happy and energetic turkey. He’s a charmer, who loves to show off to everyone he meets. He is truly thankful to be living out life at the farm.

Margaret was rescued in January of 2023 from New York City after it was discovered she was living in a dog shelter. We are sure how she ended up here or what her prior past looked like. Margaret had severe infections in her feet when she first came to us, but after several months of treatment - she has made vast improvements. Margaret has so much character and loves to follow us around, making happy chirps along the way.

Penny was found on the side of a busy highway, unable to walk or move. A good Samaritan picked her up and took her to a local rehabilitation facility. She was treated for a broken hip injury and then brought to the Heal family. Penny is one the favorites amongst volunteers and staff. She is such a patient, kind-hearted hen who loves nothing more than to lounge in the sun with her caretakers.

Nicholas’ bio coming soon!

Belle’s bio coming soon!

Holly, along with the Marvel(ous) Six are all chickens who were rescued from a filthy, cluttered apartment. Holly came to us with a severe bumblefoot infection due to her previous living conditions. To treat her infection, she received a daily foot soak followed by having it wrapped to ensure it stayed clean while healing. This time quickly became known as “spa day”. When the day came that Holly was finally healed, for weeks after she would follow us around and yell out at us reminding us about “spa day”. She has become quite the talker and loves to make sure everyone is staying on top of barn chores.

Dillinger, Dishrag and Gus are our three Cornish roosters rescued from taking part in a Kaparos ceremony in 2022. This ritual includes brutally swinging them overhead and slaughtering them at just 42 days old. These chickens are raised in horrid conditions, where many do not even make it to the streets of NYC for the ritual. These three boys were spared from this fate. They are silly, goofy roosters who are so thankful to be able to live the life of leisure and luxury at our farm sanctuary.

Ethel, Laura, Alice and Lucy were purchased as an Easter gift for grandchildren. As the ducklings began to grow up, their owners realized these ladies required much more care than they can provide and were aware of when purchased. These four ladies can always be seen together, snoozing in the sunshine or playing in the puddles. Most importantly, they ALWAYS make sure you know when it is dinner time.

Bonnie and Clyde were found abandoned fending for themselves in the wild. Muscovy ducks are unable to fend for themselves very well in a wild setting and need human care. These boys were not in great shape when they arrived at our sanctuary, with some TLC they are now much healthier and have called the sanctuary home since 2018.