Creating New Lives for Rescued Farm Animals

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(September 26, 2021) Meet two women who are changing lives. Katie Parker works at Tamerlaine Sanctuary and Preserve in Montague Township, New Jersey. Erin Yanz started and runs Erin’s Farm in Hobart, Indiana. You can see where this is going. But you’re wrong if you think this is all about creating new lives just for farm animals. They are changing human lives, too.

The Animal Welfare Institute states that “nine billion land animals are raised and slaughtered for food in the United States each year.” Yet, legally speaking, those animals are on their own.

No single federal law expressly governs the treatment of animals used for food while on farms in the United States. In fact, these animals do not have legal protections until they are transported off the farm.

Consequently, many farm animals suffer needlessly, especially on factory farms. And when they are injured or contract disease, they are often slaughtered. If you listen to our program, you know what we’re talking about. We’ve reported on the excellent work done by groups like Crate Free USA and Socially Responsible Agriculture Project.

Today, we focus on a couple of difference-makers.

Tamerlaine Sanctuary and Preserve

Tamerlaine made history earlier this year. It was accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. That made it the first animal rescue group in New Jersey to achieve the honor. Husband and wife team Peter Nussbaum and Gabrielle Stubbert started the operation in 2014. Then, in 2018, they added the 336 acres of 240-year old historic Westfall Farm. They have a four part mission:

• Care for abused and neglected farm animals
• Conserve the land
• Educate the public about animal protection and environmental ethics
• Advocate for a compassionate society

Additionally, Tamerlaine’s Wildlife Program is dedicated to both habitat restoration and native flora and fauna protection—creating new lives for insect and animal species. They run a Monarch Butterfly and Native Pollinator Conservancy.

Katie Parker joined Tamerlaine as Humane Educator earlier this year. Today, Intertubes willing, she gives us a tour of the farm. Well, not all of it. Like I said, we’ll see how the Intertubes hold up.

Erin’s Farm

I met Erin Yanz a few years ago. We were both presenters at a green fair at Lakeview High School in Chicago. (Yes, I’m interviewing a tortoise in the photo. Erin looks amused. ) At the time, Erin was running a program called Nature’s Creatures. She turned that into Erin’s Farm where she is founder and executive director. Her farm is decidedly smaller than Tamerlaine. But she is no less committed to helping animals. Want proof? Check out this gallery of the farm’s residents.

Ironically, or perhaps prophetically, her family took up residence in what used to be the slaughterhouse. Like Tamerlaine, Erin’s Farm protects habitat. They raise honey bees, though they don’t sell the honey. She continues to develop the farm, adding programs and events.

And, like Katie Parker, she tells stories of creating new lives for her critters. Stories of loss, of love, of heartache, of triumph. Sometimes, all at the same time. She will also provide a virtual tour of her farm on the show today.

Erin and Katies are making lives better. But, as I stated earlier, not just animal lives. The people who visit their farms are changed, too. For instance, Tamerlaine offers a One Week Vegan Challenge. And the farm animals have a power of their own. They respond to love, to attention, to compassion. In turn, the animals grow. They blossom. They inspire.

BTW, you can contribute to both operations. Donate to Tamerlaine here. Contribute to Erin’s Farm here. Help the helpers bring care to deserving farm animals.