About
Farm Sanctuary is the founding farm animal sanctuary in the United States. Headquartered in Watkins Glen, New York, the organization rescues farm animals from abuse and neglect, provides them lifelong refuge at its sanctuaries in New York and California, and campaigns to end factory farming through education and advocacy.
Mission
Farm Sanctuary pursues bold solutions to end factory farming and foster just and compassionate vegan living, with a vision of a world where Sanctuary replaces exploitation.
What they do
- Rescue — providing refuge and lifelong care for farm animals rescued from abuse, neglect, and the factory farming system.
- Education — humane education programs and sanctuary-based research that build public awareness of farm animals as individuals.
- Advocacy — campaigns for institutional reform and public awareness aimed at ending factory farming and promoting plant-based living.
Sanctuary locations
- Watkins Glen, New York — a 275-acre sanctuary in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, home to more than 400 rescued animals.
- Acton, California (Los Angeles area) — a 39-acre Southern California sanctuary with approximately 100 rescued animals.
History
Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986, beginning when co-founder Gene Baur rescued a sheep named Hilda from a stockyard. It grew into the first farm animal sanctuary in the U.S. and a national force against factory farming abuses.
Scale and impact
Farm Sanctuary currently provides refuge for over 600 rescued animals across its two sanctuary locations. The organization has contributed to significant legislative victories, including California's 1994 downed animal protection bill and 2008's Proposition 2, which banned battery cages, veal crates, and gestation crates in the state.
Governance
Gene Baur serves as President and Co-Founder. Farm Sanctuary Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 51-0292919) classified under Animal Protection and Welfare, with an IRS ruling year of 1985.
Financials
According to ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer, Farm Sanctuary Inc reported revenue of $15,439,898, expenses of $15,664,603, and net assets of $27,141,164 for fiscal year 2024.