"Cliff"

Cliff’s mother, Amy, was rescued from a “free-range” meat farm in upstate New York. Emaciated, parasite-ridden and barely able to produce milk for her soon-to-be-born baby, Cliff’s mother fought hard to hang onto her very life at our New York Shelter, where she was cared for and comforted around the clock until she safely delivered her little boy. On the happy day Cliff was born, we—and especially his loving mother—were overwhelmed at the sight of the beautiful, precious baby whose safe arrival was anticipated more than he will ever know. A cause for celebration, indeed, Cliff’s sanctuary birth was not only a source of light in the dark case of cruelty that nearly claimed his mother’s life, but was also a victory won for farm animals everywhere, who will be viewed with new eyes as Cliff and his mother go on to teach others, through their powerful story of survival, that there is always a better way. Most of all, we will never cease being thankful for what this joyous occasion means to Amy and Cliff: that their lives will now only be forever filled with the love, comfort and happiness every mother and son deserves.

 

"Barnaby"

Barnaby and 13 other rabbits were found huddled in cardboard boxes on the shoulder of the New York Expressway. The bunnies were terrified by the constant roar of the cars speeding by and were in very real danger of being struck and killed by a passing vehicle. Thankfully, a kind and observant motorist noticed movement in the boxes and stopped to investigate. Shocked by what she found, the woman gently scooped up the rabbits and placed them in her car. She brought the frightened animals to her small apartment in Manhattan and immediately called Farm Sanctuary for help. Eager to provide a safe, new home for the rabbits, we arranged for them to come live at our New York Shelter. Two days after they arrived, we took them to Cornell University’s Veterinary Hospital for checkups and to have them spayed and neutered. The six male rabbits were treated for fight wounds and the eight females were given a clean bill of health. The rabbits no longer fear people and are very comfortable in their home. Delighted to have found a place where they are safe and well cared for, they spend their days munching on fresh veggies, snuggling in clean straw, and enjoying wild romps in the barn.

 

"Kesi" (our baby Orangutan)

Orangutans are being pushed to the brink of extinction due to the rush to convert rainforest into palm oil plantations. Their habitat is being destroyed while they’re still living in it—and with nowhere to go, orangutans will not be able to survive in the wild.  The Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation is the largest primate rescue project in the world and they are helping to rescue and protect orphaned orangutans.  Kesi was rescued and brought to the sanctuary in 2004.  She was barely three months old when found and her left hand was missing.  It wasn’t difficult to imagine what had happened. Starving and desperate to take care of her infant, Kesi’s mother had wandered onto the plantation in search of something to eat. In her weakened state, she was an easy target for poachers or plantation workers, and because she had a baby that could easily be sold for a few extra dollars on the black market, there was no hesitation. She was quickly brought down— and then they went in for the kill, finishing the job with a machete or knife. In the mad rush to kill the mother and capture the baby, one thing got in the way: Kesi’s little hand. An infant orangutan never lets go of his or her mother. Ever. Nor will a mother ever let her infant out of her immediate reach. With a vise-like grip, the only way to pry her loose might have been to cut her off.

Want to see more pictures of Kesi and learn more about her? For only $10/month you can adopt other babies like her!"  Click below:

Our Fur Friends

We are huge supporters of Farm Sanctuary www.farmsanctuary.org, an organization dedicated to ending farm animal abuse.  They rescue farm animals who can then live out their lives peacefully on their farms in NY and CA.  One of their programs is Adopt-a-Farm-Animal where you can sponsor an animal with monthly donations which helps pay for their feeding and care.  Cliff and Barnaby are our current sponsors and we thought you might like to read a bit about them.  We also support Orangutan Outreach www.redapes.org, the group who has the show "Orangutan Island" on TV about rescued orphaned orangutans.  Kesi is our special little girl who we also sponsor.