Many of us grow up believing that cows give us milk, chickens give us eggs, sheep give us wool, and meat gives us protein that we need to sustain life. But the biggest misconception is that they “give” us anything: Humans take them, often at the animals’ expense.

In animal agriculture (on factory farms and smaller farms with humane farming claims), humans control how animals live—and how they die. Through selective breeding, farm animals grow much larger and faster than their ancestors. Their bodies are taxed beyond their natural limits, and they’re killed at fractions of their lifespans—then replaced with younger animals to continue the cycle.

The United States slaughters nearly 10 billion land animals for food each year. Animal agriculture also harms workers, communities, public health, and the environment. And people do not “need” animals to survive—we can sustain our own lives without harming others.

The cows, pigs, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, and other rescued animals living at Farm Sanctuary have lives independent of human involvement. They have rich herd and flock dynamics. They have best friends, favorite pastimes, and favorite foods. We value them as individuals—not commodities.

On National Farm Animals Day—and every day—we celebrate our dear friends living at Farm Sanctuary. These survivors are ambassadors for their species, demonstrating how we can live in harmony with animals. Read on to meet some members of our Sanctuary family and learn how you can help more animals like them.

Pietro is a Holstein steer: a breed used for dairy. Since males don’t make milk, however, they’re either killed on-site or raised for meat. (Think veal is cruel? It’s a direct offshoot of the dairy industry, allowing for some profit off its rejected calves.) Pietro, on the other hand, had zero market value: He was sick and ailing from a broken leg. It would cost more to care for the calf than to exploit him.

But it’s clear to everyone who meets Pietro just how special he really is! He’s a cuddly, affectionate youngster who loves attention and playing with his friends. And he’s free to grow up and live a full and happy life.

• Cows can live up to 20 years.
• Cows used for dairy are typically slaughtered within four to five years.
• In 2018, the average cow used for dairy produced more than 23,000 pounds of milk, compared with 11,500 pounds in 1979 and 5,300 in 1933. This overproduction puts an unbearable strain upon their bodies.
• Male calves are killed between a day and 14 months old.
• Cows raised for beef are slaughtered between 12-15 months of age.
• Breeding mothers live a maximum of 7-9 years.

Stef, a hen who loves to explore, spent her early life contained within a factory farm. Though it was, by definition, a “cage-free” egg facility, she had limited space to move around or much ability to go outside (if any). When the building caught fire, more than 300,000 hens died in the flames. Stef was one of roughly 200 freed by rescuers—and one of 40 to begin life anew at Farm Sanctuary.

Here, she’s free to go for long, peaceful walks, peck her way through lush green grass, and spread her wings beneath the sun.

• The domesticated chicken’s original ancestor, the red jungle fowl, lays 10-15 eggs per year.
• In 1925, laying hens were bred to produce an average of 112 eggs per hen.
• By 2020, through intensive breeding for increased egg production, laying hens had been manipulated to produce an average of 296 eggs per hen.
• “Organic,” “free-range,” “cage-free,” and other “humane” labels do not guarantee compassionate treatment.
• Most male chicks are destroyed at birth because they can’t lay eggs—and their breeds are typically too small for meat production.
• Chickens can live an average lifespan of 6-10 years.
• Chickens raised for meat are slaughtered around 47 days old.
• Chickens raised for egg-laying are slaughtered around 18 months old.

Rescuers found Jenny locked in a pet crate left along a busy road. They took her home and nursed her back to health, but as Jenny grew, they needed more help with her care. A relative suggested sending Jenny to slaughter; instead, the guardians chose Sanctuary.

Jenny is a social, curious pig who loves attention, extra snacks, and belly rubs. She spends her days exploring the pasture, rolling through the mud, and napping beside friends in their warm straw beds.

• Pigs can live an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
• Mother pigs used for breeding, aka “gestation sows,” are typically killed after two to three years.
• Their babies are killed at six months old and processed as pork.

Biscuit’s time was running out. His owner had no use for the tiny, blind sheep and planned on sending him to slaughter within days. Instead, a visitor bonded with Biscuit and asked if she could take him home.

Though they spent a few happy months together, the rescuer worried he missed being around sheep. We welcomed Biscuit to our Acton Sanctuary last year and set up a detailed, individualized plan to help him acclimate to his new home. Now, he navigates his space by heart and loves to snuggle with his best sheep friend Kelley in the sun. He loves treats and sometimes seeks attention from a few trusted human friends.

• Domestic sheep can live between 12-14 years or more.
• Sheep are exploited for wool, meat, and dairy.
• Lambs raised for meat are slaughtered at six months old.

Alexandra came from a factory farm: a windowless building packed with rapidly growing, stressed birds. She was also debeaked, which is an industry practice meant to keep the birds from fighting out of fear and frustration. (Damaged flesh means zero profits.)

Since Alexandra’s rescue, however, this curious go-getter has been free as a bird! She’s a sweet and sassy turkey who loves to explore and gravitates to water—she drinks straight from the hose when we refill her water bowl!

• The ancestors of domesticated turkeys can live up to 13 years in the wild.
• Turkeys are slaughtered for meat between four and five months old.

Nemo and his friends Hercules, Sebastian, Triton, and Capra survived an illegal backyard butcher operation. Farm Sanctuary coordinated a massive rescue with five local sanctuaries to liberate more than 100 animals from the property: a grisly bloodbath nestled in a residential neighborhood. The animals were emaciated and terrified. They had little food, water, or shade from the hot Florida sun.

The goats were timid around us at first but quickly made friends and settled into Sanctuary life. Nemo is among the most popular of the herd: We often see him snuggling with Halbert, one of the herd’s leaders. He’s friendly, playful, and affectionate and loves running through the grassy fields of his new home.

• Goats can live between 15 and 22 years.
• Goats in animal agriculture are exploited for meat and milk.
• Most goats are slaughtered for meat by the time they’re six months old.

Farm Sanctuary is also home to rescued ducks, geese, chukars, donkeys, horses, and a llama. Combined, nearly 800 rescued animals call our New York and Southern California shelters home. Most are survivors of animal agriculture and abuse, neglect, or other exploitation. They were bred for one purpose: to die.

At Farm Sanctuary, however, we value them as individuals: as someone, not something. They live out their natural lives in freedom. We provide nourishing food, safe barns and warm beds, individualized care, and love. They live with us—not for us.

In letting go of our need to exploit and take from animals, there is joy and there is freedom, for humans and animals. Check out our handy guide to starting a plant-based diet.