Darrowby Farm Sanctuary

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Darrowby Farm Sanctuary provides a safe and lifelong home for farmed animals, and educates people about living a mutually beneficial life with those animals in ways that do not use them for food or forced labor.

Storytime: I’m the daughter of an iron worker. When he returned from his government-mandated tour of Southeast Asia, my ...
05/02/2025

Storytime: I’m the daughter of an iron worker. When he returned from his government-mandated tour of Southeast Asia, my dad worked in very high places on very narrow pieces of… iron, let’s say. One day a girder swung around and knocked him into the air at four stories up. He survived with nothing more than a couple of broken ribs. I would like to think that all of this balance and bravery and bone density is something I inherited, but as I mentioned in a post a couple of months ago, I am really afraid of heights. I don’t mean to be; I just physically react to looking down from something tall. So anyway, I’ve been wanting to tackle this fear, but not so badly that I’ve actually done anything about it. But this afternoon the steers were out of hay, and Bertie was giving me his Very Disappointed In You face, so I couldn’t wait for Andy to get home to climb up to the hay loft. Please note the way the barn’s construction places a board directly where your head goes when you get to the top of the ladder, making it extra easy to achieve unconsciousness followed by a quick trip downward. Anyway, I did it, and Otis was very happy and, I think, proud of me. And anyway, the boys have all the hay they need for the very cold night ahead, so that’s the most important thing.

Chad was giving me his sweetest face this afternoon as I was tucking the goats in. His forehead is pink because he likes...
05/02/2025

Chad was giving me his sweetest face this afternoon as I was tucking the goats in. His forehead is pink because he likes to rub his head against the red-painted gate. Very fashionable. Fiona gave me a quick photo op this morning before attending to the business of hay, and I found Charlotte, The Empress, Hotspur, Petunia, Beatrice, Arthur, and Gilbert all cuddled into one spot for their morning nap. As we heal our hearts around the loss of Clay, it’s good to be reminded of those who still need us.

Half your wood and half your hay you should have on Candlemas Day. Today is the halfway point of winter, and I feel that...
02/02/2025

Half your wood and half your hay you should have on Candlemas Day. Today is the halfway point of winter, and I feel that we all should congratulate each other for having made it here. Thank you to everyone who shared such kind words about Clay; they mean so much. I spent some time today with Kavalier. He is doing okay. Like anyone, he is taking shelter in food and naps, and he’s happy to get tummy rubs and secret treats from me. Here’s to an easier second half of winter, to hay and firewood that lasts, and to compassion.

We said goodbye to Clay yesterday, two weeks after he first showed symptoms of illness. He and his brother Kavalier came...
01/02/2025

We said goodbye to Clay yesterday, two weeks after he first showed symptoms of illness. He and his brother Kavalier came to us in August 2021, having been bought out of the back of a car by a rescuer who soon discovered that they needed more space than she had for them and continuously escaped their pen. We named them for the escapist Kavalier and his cousin Clay from Michael Chabon’s gorgeous book, but they never once tried to escape once they arrived. They were deeply bonded and were never more than a few yards apart for their entire lives. Yesterday we knew it was time, and I sat with Clay all morning. After I gave him meds to help him relax, he pulled himself up to my face and gave me “hot breath:” little openmouthed pants pigs do that mean “I love you,” or “I’m happy to see you.” I gave them back and we held our faces together for a few moments, and then he lay down to sleep. I’m so thankful for our compassionate and skillful vet who helped him pass peacefully, and I’m thankful to Todd at for emotional support and shared knowledge. Our monthly donors and Patreon supporters have been with us through this journey, and I’m grateful to them for their kind comments and for the financial support they provide to help us give the best care and diagnostics we can. We have all shed so many tears over Clay. Kavalier was with him until the end, and last night he settled to sleep with Hermia. His first night of his life without his brother at his side. Clay’s life mattered.

Cold weather is no excuse not to be handsome, according to Merlin, Otis, and Ferdinand.
30/01/2025

Cold weather is no excuse not to be handsome, according to Merlin, Otis, and Ferdinand.

Violet was extra helpful this afternoon. Just as I finished filling the cart with used bedding from Clay’s stall, she ti...
26/01/2025

Violet was extra helpful this afternoon. Just as I finished filling the cart with used bedding from Clay’s stall, she tipped the whole thing over to see if he left any snacks in there. And then she peed on The Empress’s head. She is spectacularly herself.

This photo of Tony is something I didn’t know I needed. Maybe it’s something you didn’t know you needed too. ...
25/01/2025

This photo of Tony is something I didn’t know I needed. Maybe it’s something you didn’t know you needed too.

Fiona is expressing my feelings about this week. But the good news is that the horses enjoyed the sun today with LOTS of...
24/01/2025

Fiona is expressing my feelings about this week. But the good news is that the horses enjoyed the sun today with LOTS of rolling and making snow angels. Happy Friday, friends.

We’re having a heck of a week, but I think that Bruce is truly on the mend after many trips to the vet. On Sunday while ...
23/01/2025

We’re having a heck of a week, but I think that Bruce is truly on the mend after many trips to the vet. On Sunday while I was helping, or trying not to get in the way of, our fabulous vet take rads of Clay (who is neither declining nor improving) Andy had to run Bruce to the emergency vet due to a urinary blockage. He spent a very expensive but well worthwhile night there, then early Monday morning while it was still snowing I transported him from the E vet to the regular vet for continued flushing. They were pretty confident about his successful recovery, but the next couple of days were hard for him due to the irritation left behind. If you haven’t followed a cat around while he tries to use the litter box 72 times in one day and then had to stick your finger into the cat litter each time to see if it is wet or not, I’m not sure you’re really living life to the fullest. But he is starting to seem more like himself and for that we’re very grateful, and so is Little Steven, who missed him so much. I’m sure that all of our cat loving friends know how serious a blockage can be. With the extra cold and these emergencies, our bills are definitely higher this month than usual. So grateful to those who are able to donate to give us a boost at this time.

I end every day feeling like I haven’t done enough, but this week the only truly important thing is keeping all of our r...
21/01/2025

I end every day feeling like I haven’t done enough, but this week the only truly important thing is keeping all of our residents safe, healthy, and warm as temperatures go so low. Our older goats are really feeling the cold, so we’re making sure that they— and our older pigs— are getting extra support. Keeping an eye on icy paths, on access to water, on every single resident’s mobility and appetite and comfort— these are things we do every day, but when it’s this cold we do them extra hard. That has to be enough for this week.

Please keep Clay in your thoughts and send him good energy. We’re very concerned about him. He did enjoy some apples wit...
20/01/2025

Please keep Clay in your thoughts and send him good energy. We’re very concerned about him. He did enjoy some apples with peanut butter with his meds today.

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes for Clay. He is resting comfortably and let me give him some tummy rubs today. Pl...
18/01/2025

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes for Clay. He is resting comfortably and let me give him some tummy rubs today. Please enjoy Lilac and her tiny little lower lip. She is over 900 pounds of love.

So I try, especially as our audience has grown and I want to be a place people go to find joy, to keep the posts cheerfu...
17/01/2025

So I try, especially as our audience has grown and I want to be a place people go to find joy, to keep the posts cheerful. But today Clay got injured, possibly from a slip on the ice, and we are very worried about him. Tonight he is snuggled up in a private stall with his brother Kavalier, he has lots of meds on board, and we are giving him time. What is so scary for me is that we lost Flavia last March to a very similar-seeming problem. I never shared about that publicly because it was too personal, too painful. I loved her so much. But. As everyone who participates in Clay’s vaccinations and tusk trims knows, he is pound for pound the strongest of all our pigs, and the hardest fighter. He has a strong will and the love of his brother to empower him. He is still young. Please send him your best thoughts and energies. He’s come so far from the shy, terrified-of-other-pigs, suspicious little guy who arrived here three years ago.

Today was a busy day for humans and I got nearly no photos, so please enjoy one of my favorite parts of our horses: thei...
16/01/2025

Today was a busy day for humans and I got nearly no photos, so please enjoy one of my favorite parts of our horses: their little ears!

Seeing Stardust take a stroll before bedtime this afternoon with the sun at her back was so moving as I remembered her c...
16/01/2025

Seeing Stardust take a stroll before bedtime this afternoon with the sun at her back was so moving as I remembered her condition when she arrived in May. It’s easy to get used to Stardust being a healthy girl and forget how terribly she had suffered before she came here. I’m a words person and I don’t have words for her journey. But I am so grateful that she’s here.

The other day I was thinking how great it is that the horses are getting so much pasture time this winter, and wondering...
14/01/2025

The other day I was thinking how great it is that the horses are getting so much pasture time this winter, and wondering why we didn’t do this last winter. Then I put together the fact that last winter we didn’t have the ruminant barn. Which meant that we had no goat pasture. Which meant that we had no multi species pasture because that was where the goats were living. But now the goats have a barn, the old little-goat house which was the turkey house is now the duck house, the old big-goat house is now the house for The Comets, the steers don’t have to share their pasture with goats, the goats have their own home all together, and the horses have access to the old goat pasture. So, the Doree Taylor ruminant barn has made, and continues to make, the hugest difference to us and to every resident who lives here. I will never stop being excited about this barn.

Oh Abby. We love you and your uncontrollable tongue.
14/01/2025

Oh Abby. We love you and your uncontrollable tongue.

Who’s best at mugging for the camera? 1-3: Bea; 4-5: Fiona; 6: Miss Honey; 7: Viola; 8-9: Bertie Wooster; 10-11: Nova. A...
12/01/2025

Who’s best at mugging for the camera? 1-3: Bea; 4-5: Fiona; 6: Miss Honey; 7: Viola; 8-9: Bertie Wooster; 10-11: Nova. A gorgeous day.

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What an incredible morning. I say it every time, but Fiona has brought this incredibly deep joy to our horse family. She’s always showing Flash and Chey— and us— how much there is to be joyful about. Happy Friday, friends. #farmanimalsanctuary #withusnotforus #someonenotsomething #friendsnotfood #veganforthem #mainenonprofit #rescuegoat #rescuepig #rescuegoat #rescuehorse #pigsarefriendsnotfood #rescuecow #rescuesteer #stardustandthecomets #rubmytummy #love

Bedtime for Biff. He’s always the last of the LBP crew to come in for the night, even in a snowstorm. Notice how he immediately searched for his brother Josh. So much love here. #farmanimalsanctuary #withusnotforus #someonenotsomething #friendsnotfood #veganforthem #mainenonprofit #rescuegoat #rescuepig #rescuegoat #rescuehorse #pigsarefriendsnotfood #rescuecow #rescuesteer #stardustandthecomets #rubmytummy #love

So much love lives here. Jake and Jordan love their Papa Otis. #farmanimalsanctuary #withusnotforus #someonenotsomething #friendsnotfood #veganforthem #mainenonprofit #rescuegoat #rescuepig #rescuegoat #rescuehorse #pigsarefriendsnotfood #rescuecow #rescuesteer #stardustandthecomets #rubmytummy #love

Sounds of Sanctuary Today’s minute of peace is shared with Flash and Chey as they have a relaxing morning during a late January snow fall. It is beyond this human’s understanding why they love to stand out in storms. Their horseness is amazing to observe. #soundsofsanctuary #darrowbyfarmsanctuary #farmanimalsanctuary #someonenotsomething #rescuehorse #horsesofinstagram #mainenonprofit #winterinmaine #peace #compassion #sanctuary

Bedtime cookies! #farmanimalsanctuary #withusnotforus #someonenotsomething #friendsnotfood #veganforthem #mainenonprofit #rescuegoat #rescuepig #rescuegoat #rescuehorse #pigsarefriendsnotfood #rescuecow #rescuesteer #stardustandthecomets #rubmytummy #love

Please enjoy one minute of peaceful quiet from a recent snowy morning at Darrowby. #Soundsofsanctuary #darrowbyfarmsanctuary #farmanimalsanctuary #momentofpeace #meditation #calm #peace #compassion #sanctuary

Bertie knows what it means to live the good life and he demands nothing but the best service. #darrowbyfarmsanctuary #farmanimalsanctuary #hungryboy #spoiled #rescuesteer #friendsnotfood #cowsarecool #peace #compassion #sanctuary

It is COLD. But we are all doing well with lots of good food, friends to snuggle with, and of course warm & cozy beds, stalls, and houses. Thank you to everyone in our community who helps us to provide compassionate care for all of our residents no matter the weather. Our costs certainly increase in the winter. Electric bills, feed, bedding, fuel all increase during these cold months. If you can, please consider a donation. As always all donations go directly to the well being of all of our residents. Thank you! #darrowbyfarmsanctuary #farmanimalsanctuary #thebigchill #winter #mainewinter #maine #nonprofit #rescuegoats #peace #compassion #sanctuary

Here’s a needed smile for today: Hector joined the Torn Ear Club this morning while being himself at breakfast, but he is not letting it slow him down. He loves to play with his uncles. Uncles are great. #farmanimalsanctuary #withusnotforus #someonenotsomething #friendsnotfood #veganforthem #mainenonprofit #rescuegoat #rescuepig #rescuegoat #rescuehorse #pigsarefriendsnotfood #rescuecow #rescuesteer #stardustandthecomets #rubmytummy #love

Found the spot! #farmanimalsanctuary #withusnotforus #someonenotsomething #friendsnotfood #veganforthem #mainenonprofit #rescuegoat #rescuepig #rescuegoat #rescuehorse #pigsarefriendsnotfood #rescuecow #rescuesteer #stardustandthecomets #rubmytummy #love #appaloosalove

Chad is not sleepy. Please enjoy some goat crunching #asmr and Chad’s sassy little bleats. He did make it to bed. (Those are not his usual treats. Goats get goat treats. Chad got a cow treat because sometimes that’s how it goes.) #farmanimalsanctuary #withusnotforus #someonenotsomething #friendsnotfood #veganforthem #mainenonprofit #rescuegoat #rescuepig #rescuegoat #rescuehorse #pigsarefriendsnotfood #rescuecow #rescuesteer #stardustandthecomets #rubmytummy #love #butimnotsleepy #bedtimecookies

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Why Offer Sanctuary?

Darrowby Farm Sanctuary provides a lifelong home for farmed animals in need of safety and love. In 2019 alone, hundreds of animals were seized from neglect and abuse in Maine. Thanks to the work of animal shelters and animal welfare laws, domestic animals have a fair chance of escaping these horror stories. Unfortunately, farmed animals have fewer legal protections, fewer advocates, and fewer places capable of taking them in.

​We believe that all livings creatures deserve the respect and security that comes from having a single loving home. We are proud to provide this home for our animals who would otherwise have very different fates.

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