In March 2019 I joined the campaign „Head on Head“ of the NGO NESEHNUTÍ, which was working on a European level to ban cage breeding and generally raise the topic of large-scale breeding in the Czech Republic. A good, albeit lowest possible goal in the treatment of farm animals is supported by an eye-catching website with the theme „taking off your rose-coloured glasses“. Because I love to write and taking pictures, I contributed by writing stories of farm animals living the good life outside of cages and concrete walls. Which, besides the look of the site, is another positive line I like in their way of presenting the topic.
For the stories I went to the animal sanctuary farm in Dobrovítov. Farma Naděje („Hope Farm“) was established in 2015 and in that time it has rescued and hosted all kinds of creatures – cats, dogs, sheep, goats, chickens, roosters, cows and donkeys. Each of them has its own story. I have written some of them down.
Herman was from the village, but if he had been born as a cockerel in a farm – before he opened his beak, he would have ended up in a tied bag with the other cockerels. Roosters don’t lay eggs, and eggs are a matter of life and death. Even as a hen, he wouldn’t have it easy: fattening and slaughter or life in a small cage, egg by egg.
Yet when you see how proudly he struts up to you, not letting himself be intimidated, but not intimidating you either, living his personal story on the farm, with his hens, you watch him and wonder who this rooster is, what he’s thinking, what he’s feeling. And what about the other roosters?
Scottish Highland cattle are bred for meat, and so is Grace. Instead of being steaks, she’s been given the privileged status of First Cow in the sanctuary after livestock. All it took was the interest of a lady who didn’t see Grace as just a farm animal, but wanted a better fate for her than the slaughterhouse. And the openness of the people at Hope Farm, where Grace found a home. She escaped the sad fate that awaits most cows and other farm animals.
It turned out that the massive Rose had energy to spare – as soon as she got enough space, she began to frolic, jump and run from one corner of the grassy enclosure to the other. Once she got a little bit comfortable, she was able to go for long walks with the other rescued animals, even though she was at home. Together with her pigs, Milanek and Aninka, she shares three houses lined with straw. And every summer she goes to the mud baths to get a nice wrap from the harsh sun.
Rose gives us a glimpse into the life of a free pig that remains hidden from most people. She is one of the lucky few who escaped a life of factory farming and college. But many of her comrades are not so lucky. Playful, brave and ingenious creatures like Rosie are now kept in cages. Without the dignity they are entitled to, without the opportunity to let humans know what they are experiencing.
She was well cared for, but when she turned 11, her fate was sealed. Like her calves – especially the bulls, which some people say are useless because they don’t give milk – she was to be sent to the slaughterhouse. This is despite the fact that a cow normally lives to be twenty-five years old. Fortunately, she found a human friend at the zoo who brought her carrots and apples, and when she learned of her fate, she decided to save the beloved animal. The phone at Hope Farm rang a second time. That was a year ago.
At the farm, Jitka met a wealth of animals, but the strongest bond she formed was with Grace, a fresh calf at the time. Twice her size, Jitka became his surrogate mother and Grace became her baby, never to be taken away from her.
Most cows have a pre-scripted story that ends in a meat grinder, and even that life is no slouch. People treat them like machines that give milk and meat. In many ways, the story that animals in sanctuary farms or with individuals can experience is inspiring and surprising – it gives a glimpse of a different perception of the world and life. Thanks to animals, we are not alone on the planet; they need us as much as we need them. Let us be there for them.
Co na srdci, to v prstech