Raised in dismal conditions, these two pigs were scheduled for the butcher and brought to us just in time to start their new life!

These three 'market' pigs were raised by children for a 4H project. They were saved from the market in the nick of time and brought to the Sanctuary where they live their best life. Trusting of everyone and oh so friendly, they especially love belly rubs!

Milkshake's story is an all too common one. A family with the best intentions fell in love with the cutest little piglet that was for sale at the Farm Supply store, and they named him Milkshake. Even though they were assured he was a 'mini-pig', Milkshake began to grow and grow! Eventually the family found themselves with a very big pig in their suburban neighborhood, living in a small makeshift pen in the backyard, which he had very much outgrown. Milkshake desperately needed a new home and we were lucky enough to step in and help.

Sweet as can be and round as a pea! Sweetpea sadly lost her owner to Covid and needed a new forever home. We were happy to oblige!

This little piggy was abandoned in a field in the city. He had passed through three animal shelters before arriving at the Sanctuary. Extremely wary of people at first, he's now friendly and always curious. He loves to follow us around while we tidy up his pen and enjoys playing in wood chips. He also loves to be hand fed apples and cucumbers! Homer has finally found his forever home.

Miss Piggy and her two goat companions were rescued by a compassionate woman from a very sad situation of neglect. The woman gave them love and great care but could not keep them at her home. Zoning laws often don’t allow farm animals in neighborhoods, and they need the right environment to thrive. We welcomed the trio to the sanctuary! Miss Piggy is a hoot!! In spite of her turbulent past, she’s super friendly and trusting with people. She’s also very organized and tidy, and keeps her shelter just so. She loves attention and especially belly rubs!

Pierre was dumped on the street in LA. Now he is living his best ranch life with his new family at the Sanctuary. We love you, Pierre!

These two young goats were confiscated together by Animal Services during a raid on a property where 3000 roosters were being bred for cockfighting. Huck and Finn were found in a state of terrible neglect, but they have now grown strong and trusting since joining us at the Sanctuary. They love to jump and play on their tree stumps. They are inseparable.

Tuesday worked as a brush goat, clearing ranches of brush, and keeping us all safe. When she came to us she was foundering and arthritic, and she was in so much pain that she walked on her knees instead of her hooves. With the help of a diligent farrier and good meds, we were able to get Tuesday walking again. At 10 years old she has retired from ranch work, and now spends her days lounging in the pasture with her goat friends.

This bonded pair came from a loving family who had them as pets. Unfortunately the family’s circumstances changed and they could no longer keep them, and they needed to find them a forever home where they would be safe and out of harm’s way. It’s not easy to rehome a farm animal. We brought them to the Sanctuary where they can spend the rest of their lives together!

Our only sheep, Fuzzy, has made himself right at home among the little herd of misfit goats. They embraced him as part of the herd. A great lesson in acceptance!

Casper is a very large goat! But don't be intimidated by his size, Casper is as gentle as can be. He's our gentle giant! He loves people, more than anything, and is perfectly content standing quietly by your side. This is Casper's story: He started life as a pet for an elderly gentleman, basically serving as a companion animal. But when the man passed away, Casper was cruelly put on the open market to be sold as food. Luckily, a compassionate woman adopted him and he lived with her herd of sheep. Unfortunately, her circumstances recently changed and she had to find Casper a new home. How do you find a safe home for one giant goat? We stepped in and welcomed Casper to our MFAS family! Casper is so unique, with his calm temperament, and always seeking out human attention. Most of the time he actually looks like he's smiling at you! He's now happily a member of our goat herd and making a lot of friends!

Arnold was our first birth ever at Martha’s Farm Animal Sanctuary! The little Alpine mix goat was born on March 1st, to our goat Helen that we recently rescued from a local farm that features an 'animal attraction' center. We had no idea that Helen was pregnant when we rescued her. While making evening rounds to tuck everyone in safely for the night, Helen was found with a new baby beneath her. What a miraculous surprise!

Helen was too old to be bred, and a senior pregnancy was very risky for her. It was an unfortunate story of neglect, all too common for farm animals. Tragically, Helen took a turn for the worse a few days after giving birth. She developed a very bad infection that led to acute kidney failure due to the difficulties of giving birth at her advanced age. Our amazing veterinarians spent many hours doing everything they could to save her.

Helen did not survive. We were heartbroken but we take comfort in knowing that Helen’s final months were happy and peaceful here at the sanctuary.

To ensure Arnold’s survival, we bottle fed him every 4 hours. He has a big personality and is a bright light to everyone he meets. Like a dog, he loves to run, jump and play. But also, he’s just as content to curl up and take a nap in your arms.

Regina and Sophie, our two Jersey cows, originally came from a dairy farm in Fresno. Playful, inquisitive and affectionate, they are best pals and stick together.

Even though he is a bull, Max is a gentle soul and loves to get pets, gaze into your eyes, and eat out of our hand. He has no idea people are afraid of bulls.

The cows were headed to the meat market where they would be sold by the pound. We welcomed them with open arms at Martha’s Farm Animal Sanctuary. Stella (the mom) is very vocal. She loves to moo. She’s not at all shy about telling you what she wants! Lizzy is a little shy and still likes to stay near her mama. They are a very close and loving little family!

They were headed to the meat market but, a few days before the holidays, we welcomed them to Martha’s Farm Animal Sanctuary instead. Holly is very protective of her baby because, at five years old, she’s likely had many babies taken from her. Now she can watch her baby, Ivy, grow up at their forever home. They are our Christmas miracles!

Our Jersey calf Scout was rescued from a Dairy at one week old and will now live a long and happy life here at the sanctuary. He has bonded deeply with our Jersey cow Regina and with her he has found a nurturing and loving mom that he never had the opportunity to experience.

F.Lawrence and his friend Buddy bonded quickly and are always found roaming the pasture together. Buddy was left at the park in Arroyo Grande, where sadly many roosters are dumped and left to fend for themselves. They most often don’t survive because roosters need care just like other farm animals! F. Lawrence (pronounced Florence) was a backyard rooster, much-loved by his owners and hated by the neighborhood HOA. His family drove for hours to bring him to the Sanctuary. He’s a part of our rooster coop now and has made many friends!

Unwanted in his neighborhood due to their Rooster ordinance, Peewee needed a new home FAST! Even though he's a small bantam rooster, he has a lot of bravado, and likes to hitch a ride on the backs of his goat friends. He's safe and happy now and can sing to his heart's content!

Star is our Silver Sebright Bantam Rooster. Star came to us from a family who had unfortunately discovered that their neighborhood had an ordinance against roosters. He was one of a group of chicks that were supposedly all female, until the day Star began to crow!

These miniature Mediterranean Donkeys, Delilah, Ethel, and Daphne, were roaming the hillside of a nearby ranch. They were no longer wanted and in need of some TLC which we were happy to provide!

So sweet and affectionate, the girls have formed a close bond with one another. They like to romp around together, and especially enjoy a nice brushing.

Like her other donkey friends, Daphne is smart, playful, affectionate and at times stubborn. We wouldn’t have it any other way!

Remember Hurricane Harvey in 2017? Who can forget the catastrophic disaster in Texas. Houston animal shelters were beyond overwhelmed and many were “kill shelters.”

A good Samaritan adopted this little donkey who survived the hurricane only to end up in a kill shelter. She named him Harvey. She brought Harvey to live at her beautiful ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley. Harvey had a donkey companion that passed away recently, plunging him into a deep depression.

Donkeys are highly social and intelligent animals, relying on companionship for comfort and security. Losing a bonded partner creates emotional distress, similar to grief observed in other animals like elephants and horses. Just like in humans, loneliness has a profound effect on well-being.

We were able to make a home for Harvey at Martha’s Farm Animal Sanctuary. He has joined our herd of female mini-donkeys, never to be lonely again. Now that he has settled in and made new friends, his true personality is shining. Harvey is sweet and energetic, and always seeking attention from humans when he is not playing with his girlfriends. He's only 7 years old, which is young for a donkey.

Donkey fun fact: some can live 40 or more years in optimal environments like sanctuaries!

Our ducks, who are all female and all named Quackers, came from a loving family who had them as pets. Unfortunately the family’s circumstances changed and they could no longer keep them, and they needed to find them a forever home where they would be safe and out of harm’s way. We brought them to the Sanctuary where the ducks can make new friends and have plenty of room to splash around in their duck pool.