We believe it is vitally important for people to connect with living, happy animals who have been rescued from commercial farming. Seeing these animals in a sanctuary environment allows people to understand the animals’ true natures and to observe them as individuals who lead rich and complex lives, when permitted to do so. In short, witnessing animals in a sanctuary setting “re-sensitizes” and “reprograms” our minds. In the process, we rediscover the wonder and empathy we had for animals as children, before we were taught not to care.

Why chickens, specifically?

Chickens represent 99% of all animals used for food in the U.S. — 40 billion per year worldwide — so our focus on chickens is intended to help the greatest number of animals. Through the rescue of individual chickens, we are able to document our firsthand experiences of discovery, fostering, medical treatment, special care, adoption and rehoming of each bird. Most of our chickens are rescued from poultry markets and kill shelters in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Our Virtual Sanctuary Experience

We’re taught to think of animals raised for food —if we think of them at all—as an abstract category, “farm animals”: the nameless, faceless herds and flocks whose generic characteristics are merely recycled through an endless stream of undifferentiated bodies. By personalizing each rescued bird as a unique and complex individual, we break down harmful stereotypes and awaken empathy. Our storytelling, photos and videos provide an intimate glimpse into each individual bird’s personality, as well as the horrors of the egg and chicken meat industries. Many people will never have an opportunity to visit a sanctuary in person. The “virtual visit” we offer our online community is the next best thing to being there, providing a powerful way for potentially millions of people to reconnect with animals.