Rescue & Adoptions

2006 Featured Rescues

Chico

In late September 2006, a bright-eyed, fuzzy little lamb was brought to Farm Sanctuary to begin a new life full of peace and freedom. Chico, now happy, safe and surrounded by caregivers here at our New York Shelter, was once slated for the slaughterhouse to make money for continuing programs at the "educational" farm camp where he was born. Two loving girls who met him at the camp and knew he was meant to live a long, bountiful life rescued him. Were it not for these diligent girls' gigantic hearts and dedication to saving Chico, his life would have ended when it had barely even begun.

Chico was born at a farm camp in New York in April 2006. He and the other lambs at the camp were used in youth animal husbandry classes along with other farm animals, including goats, mules and chickens. Far from the truth of today's factory farming reality, children at the farm camp were taught the old ways of small, family farming. Unfortunately, when being raised for food, endings always come early to these precious, sentient beings. The children soon learned that once summer ended, Chico and the other lambs at the farm would be sent to an auction to be sold for slaughter. The money from their sale would fund further programs at the farm camp, and would allow more babies to be born in coming years, who would in turn be sent to slaughter each autumn.

The girls, ages 11 and 14, became quite attached to Chico during their 12-day stay at the camp. Upon returning home and discussing Chico's fate, they decided to take action to save this loving lamb. One of the girls and her family had already planned a summer trip to Farm Sanctuary's New York Shelter. Before leaving, the two friends wrote letters to the camp, urging the director to spare his life and release him to their care. They had not heard back from the camp by the time the girl and her family came to the shelter for a visit. Thankfully, though, our education department staff learned of Chico's plight from the girl, and Farm Sanctuary eagerly agreed to help save him.

Not long after, the farm camp agreed to relinquish guardianship. Chico was brought to the shelter from the camp in the family mini-van, riding in the back with the two girls, who comforted him the whole way. Their caring words assured him that he would be going somewhere very special, and that no harm would ever come to him. Excited for the first few hours of the drive, he bleated curiously and looked out the windows. By the end, he was sleeping peacefully in the back. The life Chico was meant to live had finally begun, and the girls learned a very important lesson. Speaking up for farm animals in need can make a true impact that can forever change their lives for the better. Now, Chico's long life can be full of salt licks and head scratches, and romps through the rolling fields at Farm Sanctuary with his other rescued sheep friends.