Rescuing farmed animals through adoption or fostering is a hugely impactful way to save animals from being killed or living miserable lives. Not only will you give the animal a second chance at life, but you and your family can also greatly benefit from having a furry companion by your side.
Why adopt a farmed animal?
In the animal agriculture industry, thousands of farmed animals each year are killed because they do not result in monetary gain. These include hens on egg farms who are gassed at 18 months of age after they are considered “useless”, and male calves on dairy farms that are deemed unviable because they cannot produce milk and produce unwanted meat.
If it weren’t for our wonderful adopters and foster carers, so many more of these unwanted farmed animals would have been killed. ‘Til The Cows Come Home administers a few hundred adoptions per month, but there are always more animals that need to find loving homes. By becoming an adopter, you can help save more lives while also having fun.
There are numerous studies out there that have detailed the benefits of having a pet. Caring for a pet can improve both your physical and mental health, and research has shown that pet owners have higher levels of wellbeing than non-pet owners. In support of this, another study found that pet owners were more likely to have their social fulfilment, which could combat one’s loneliness, depression, and self-esteem issues.
The benefits of adopting an animal can also extend to your family. Research has highlighted that the presence of animals in a child’s early educational development can establish a connection between the child and nature, and trigger emotions such as curiosity, sympathy, and excitement. Adopting farmed animals can be a great way for your kids to learn about new animals in a hands-on way, understand the importance of compassion and rescuing animals, and learn how to care for another being. To find out more about the benefits of having your children grow up around animals, head over to our blog, The Benefits to Children in Being Part of a Foster Home.
What to consider
So you’re thinking of adopting a farmed animal – but how do you know if you have enough land for them to be happy? When it comes to land space for animals like bovine, chickens, goats, or pigs, there’s usually no one-size-fits-all answer. The amount of space you need will typically depend on the needs of individual breeds and an animal’s unique situation. Additionally, you also need to take into account the type of land you have. You may have a huge amount of dirt land, but if you want cows or goats, it’s vital to have a vast amount of grassy land for them to graze on. If you’re looking to adopt chickens, it’s best to have flat land so that you can build a stable, long-lasting coup that is safe and accessible for the chickens.
Before adopting a farmed animal, it’s best to research the land requirements you’ll need for the animal or to talk to experts. You can also assess the suitability of your land by considering factors such as size, terrain type, and the potential needs of the animal. Not sure if you’ve got the right land for a specific animal? Feel free to reach out to ‘Til The Cows Come Home’s knowledgeable adoption team to help you.
Just like any pet, adopting farmed animals is usually a long-term commitment. For this reason, it’s important to assess whether you’re financially able to care for them for years into the future. If your animal has special needs, this may include added costs such as veterinary fees and the cost of medicine and treatments. More of your time may also be required for animals with special needs; these are all things that should be considered before adoption so that the animal can live a happy life.
Adopting a farmed animal is deeply fulfilling and rewarding. We’ve seen so many of our adopters form special bonds with their animal companions and have so much fun while caring for them. To find out more about adopting a farmed animal, visit our Adoptions page on our website.
