Animal Sanctuary

Better Farm provides sanctuary to animals who have experienced neglect, abuse, or are in need of a forever home. These have included a fawn, chickens, turkey, ducks, horses, cows, and dogs. Our mission is to hold all life in high regard no matter the form it takes; and to offer animals the love, nurturing, and comfort we all expect as a basic right. These animals have much to teach us; and in their healing, they help to heal us as well.

To sponsor one of our rescued animals, click here.

Currently living at Better Farm are:

Horses Olive and Coco

Olive is a 25-ish-year-old palomino Haflinger who loves trail rides, cookies, and being brushed. Olive was rescued several years ago from a backyard breeder with a foal by her side and heavy in foal. Her jaw was broken at some point, and her ears are crooked because when she was foaled she was pulled out by her ears, permanently damaging the cartilage. In spite of these things, she’s unbelievably sweet, curious, and resilient.

Coco is a 19-ish year old Morgan who worked for many years as an Amish driving horse (pulling carriages—he’s never been ridden). He’s enjoying a relaxing retirement at Better Farm.

Alpacas Finnegan, Augusta, Cleopatra, and Buffalo. Read their story here.

Pigs Winnifred (left), Matilda and Ramona

Winnifred was purchased in the Rochester area as a “teacup” pig (a misleading designation, as even the tiniest pigs max out around 50-200 pounds!). Her rapid growth inspired her guardians to rehome her at Better Farm, where she enjoys a massive, natural enclosure she can run, bathe, and root in. In fact, Winnie’s breed is Gloucestershire old spot: males can reach 600 pounds and females around 500 pounds. This large breed of pig is known for its spots, calm nature, and excellent foraging ability.

Matilda is a VIetnamese potbelly who came to Better Farm in 2016 from a local breeder. As an infant, Matilda’s back right leg was injured by the mother pig. She was adopted out to Better Farm soon after for some TLC.

Ramona was brought up in the Rochester area until zoning laws were enforced against her guardians for keeping Ramona in a residential, no-pigs neighborhood. This sweetheart is a Berkshire, a British breed considered rare in the U.K. Females can reach around 500 pounds.

Chickens Joni, Fotch, Clarese, Betty, and many others

Our chickens have been adopted from a wide variety of places: a commercial egg farm, area breeders, hobby farmers, and more. Better Farm chickens free-range on the property and each has its own, wonderfully unique personality.

Cows Phoebe and Titan

Phoebe and Titan are a mini Hereford mom and son joining us from Middletown, Connecticut. Phoebe, now around 7, was rescued from slaughter in 2023 and gave birth to Titan soon after on March 4 of that year. She’s likely had multiple calves, with Titan being the only one Phoebe got to keep. Massive shoutout to our friends at Farm Sanctuary for facilitating this adoption and bringing these beautiful creatures our way, and to their former guardian for entrusting us with Phoebe and Titan’s care.