ABLE TO GROW OLD

We exist for the residents, those the represent, and all those who still need our help. Full Circle Farm Sanctuary is home to over 100 uniquely individual residents who were fortunate to make it to safety and are living a peaceful retirement. At sanctuary they are able to grow into full adult bodies, experience their natural life cycle, and grow old while still being loved and seen as valuable.  Had they stayed in the agricultural system, this would not have been possible. We ask nothing of them, we take nothing from them, and we dedicate our days to ensuring that theirs are happy, healthy, safe, and fulfilling. Some of the residents can live from 10 - 40+ years and thrive while doing so. Meaning, our commitment to them is not short. We hold this responsibility with the deepest of care.

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Farmed animals have been selectively bred throughout generations to exhibit traits that are profitable to the animal agriculture industry. Including, the ability to grow very large in an extremely short amount of time, a high milk production, a high rate of egg laying, and a larger amount of wool growth. This is without regard to how their bodies will be able to cope with the long term stress these traits can cause. Consideration is not given to their long term health because despite their natural lifespan, farmed animals are not intended to live past industry standard slaughter age. Depending on species, this can be hours, days, months, or a handful of years. When farmed animals find sanctuary, they must still live with consequences from breeding manipulation and how this affects their overall health and mobility. This why the residents of FCFS must be closely monitored, receive proactive health maintenance treatments, eat specialized diets, and more. It is our job to help the residents age gracefully and thrive throughout their senior years.

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As we strive to give the residents everything they need throughout their life, sometimes we run into obstacles. Unlike cats and dogs who have bountiful resources to fulfill their needs including extensive veterinary options and treatments, farmed animals do not have the same access. Since farmed animals raised for food or products aren't intended to live long lives, there is a limitation to what veterinary science can offer. This is because it is uncommon for veterinarians who work with farmed animals to have patients as old as the residents or individuals willing to exhaust all possibilities for their treatment. The latter is because their lives are commonly seen as unworthy of the investment. 

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We value each resident for who they are and we honor their autonomy and boundaries. Some want human interaction and others prefer to keep their distance. No matter their personality, physical ability, or our ability to be near them, we cherish, value, and appreciate each individual and are deeply honored to be able to care for them. Like all animals, each resident is deserving of respect, care, and consideration. The Full Circle residents are a select few, but they represent the billions of their species who would opt to live similarly and age naturally if given the chance. We hope you enjoy learning about the FCFS residents and find them and their species as remarkable as we do.

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To learn about the three founding residents who set into motion the FCFS of today and their impact on the work we do, click here.