IN PICTURES: Disabled animals given new lease of life at Israeli sanctuary
On the Freedom Farm in Moshav Olesh, even a three-legged cow has a future; founded by animal-rights activists, the farm is home to 240 animals that were raised for slaughter — and now enjoy a good life and ample affection
Freedom Farm was founded by animal rights activists Adit Romano, a 52-year-old former business executive, and Meital Ben Ari, 38, who used to work in tech.
It serves as a refuge for mostly disabled animals and as an educational centre for visitors.
The special nature of the farm has drawn media interested from around the world.
This Israeli animal shelter is a sanctuary for animals with disabilities pic.twitter.com/zKH7GJZEO1
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) March 14, 2019
Most of the nearly 240 animals at the facility were raised for slaughter.
Some were donated by farmers who chose to save them. Others, like Miri, who was found lying in a ditch with a broken leg, were abandoned.
After Miri's rescue, her leg was amputated.
Ben Ari says children with special needs particularly enjoy tours of the farm and its 5 acres (2 hectares) of green pastures, stables and a barn in Moshav Olesh, an agricultural community in central Israel.
"I'm worried about the future of humanity and this place sounds like a place of hope," says 56-year-old Shira Breuer, who is on a visit with her 84-year-old father.
The farm's most recent addition is Nir, a five-month-old cow fitted with a prosthetic leg to replace one that was broken and then amputated.
Freedom Farm raised money for the artificial limb and medical care through an internet crowd funding campaign.
It costs about $1 million a year to run the farm, which relies on contributions and volunteer workers from Israel and abroad, including musicians - who come and play for the animals.
