This Mother’s Day, Farm Sanctuary Encourages Public to Honor Mothers of All Species

Nation’s Leading Farm Animal Protection Organization Offers Opportunity to Sponsor an Orphaned Animal or Courageous Mother in Need


Watkins Glen, NY – May 5, 2010 – Last September, the heartbreaking story of Angelo, a lamb born inside a transport truck and rescued by a good Samaritan just as his mother was led to slaughter, made national headlines for shedding light on the callousness of an industry that routinely tears babies from their mothers just moments after birth. This Mother’s Day, Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, is encouraging people to honor the great love between moms and children of all species by sponsoring one of the rescued animals that reside at their sanctuaries as a gift for a special mother in their life or for themselves.

The animal residents at Farm Sanctuary’s shelters depend on adoptive “parents” to provide them with healthy food, a safe habitat, individualized attention and veterinary care. Each unique sponsorship package includes a personalized adoption certificate and beautiful color photo that make the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

“At our sanctuaries, we witness first-hand the strong maternal bonds formed between mother farm animals and their offspring,” said Farm Sanctuary’s National Shelter Director Susie Coston. “Unfortunately, on factory farms most farm animals are separated shortly after birth and never get to experience a life-long bond with their mothers. When farm animals are separated from their loved ones, they experience the same anxiety and depression that people do. I can’t think of a better way to honor the special mother in your life than by providing for the care of an orphaned animal or a courageous mother who fought to care for her child, even when her own well-being was neglected.”

Animals available for “adoption” include Blossom, a pig who was just a baby when she was separated from her mom and found wandering all alone; Debra, a goat who faced an uncertain future until she was rescued along with her two kids; Cupid, a calf who was torn from his mother minutes after birth and loaded onto a truck bound for slaughter; Katrine, a sheep who was severely neglected and arrived at Farm Sanctuary just in time to welcome her new baby into the world; Goodwin, a baby goat who was lost in New York City until rescuers brought him to safety; and June, a mother hen who, along with her chicks, was destined to suffer at the hands of cock fighters before they were saved and brought to sanctuary.

Those interested in sponsoring an animal for Mother’s Day may call 607-583-2225 ext. 225 or visit Farm Sanctuary online to view the orphaned animals and courageous mothers available for sponsorship including Blossom, Debra, Cupid, Katrine, Goodwin and June.

The public is invited to visit with these mothers and babies – and hundreds more cows, pigs, sheep, goats and chickens who were rescued from abuse and neglect – now through the end of October at Farm Sanctuary’s shelters in Watkins Glen, New York and Orland, California. For tour information, please visit farmsanctuary.org.

For more heartwarming stories about the close bond between mother farm animals and their children, please read our Sanctuary Tails blog entry for Mother’s Day: http://farmsanctuary.typepad.com/sanctuary_tails/2010/04/mother-love.html