By now you might have heard about the massive rescue of thousands of chickens from an egg farm in Turlock, California. A few weeks ago, A&L Poultry decided to stop feeding the 50,000 “layer” hens at the facility, abandoning them to a slow death by starvation. When local animal rescue groups got wind of the situation, they stepped up to save as many hens as they could – but not before going up against local authorities, who were intent on killing the birds.

While most of the hens perished, local rescue groups – led by Animal Place and Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary – were able to save more than 4,400 of these lovely ladies. Animal Place is caring for the overwhelming majority of the survivors; you can follow their progress on their website and tumblog.

As you can imagine, what’s being called the “largest rescue of farmed animals” in California – and perhaps US – history is a costly ordeal. Vegan-owned businesses, being the meccas of awesomeness that they are, are stepping up to help! This Saturday, March 3, a number of businesses are donating some (or, in at least one case, ALL) of their proceeds to the rescue effort. This includes Food Fight! and Herbivore Clothing Company – so if you were thinking of stocking up on some vegan groceries or animal rights swag, Saturday is the day! Grab some vegan meats and cheeses for your pizza-making needs – and even some Dandies and Hazelnut Butter for a breakfast pizza or two. Get gluttonous, it’s for a good cause! (Deets here.)

Of course, if you don’t need anything or would rather all your funds go toward the hen rescue, you can always make a direct donation: here for Animal Place and there for Harvest Home. Your gift can literally help to save a life – such as that of this rescued hen, shown here taking her very first steps outside after a life spent confined to a battery cage.

There are no words.

If you happen to live nearby, Animal Place is also in need of volunteers as well as adoptive homes for some of the birds.

Not in a position to do either? Spread the word!

* Photos by Animal Place’s Marji Beach. I intentionally didn’t include any of the more traumatic ones – and they are super-traumatic, to the point that I can’t so much as think about them without needing to cry-vomit – ’cause I didn’t want to bum y’all out. But you can view all of Marji’s photos on flickr: Turlock Hen Rescue Set.

Daphne!
Photo courtesy of C.A.R.E. Animal Rescue-Springfield.

Since this is the last Find-a-Friend Friday of the year, I decided to go big! Big like a farmed pig! Unfortunately, I had to head all the way over to Springfield, Missouri to find such a nonhuman in need of a home. (I’m guessing that most pigs ’round these parts end up in an abattoir. Cue sad face.) Daphne here is a baby pig who still has a lot of growing to do – but she’ll be a big girl when all is said and done. She enjoys her nomz and reportedly does a cute mealtime jig, much like my little dog friend Rennie. She walks well on a harness and leash, enjoys having her tummy rubbed, and likes to play ball – again, much like a dog. Here’s Castaway Animal Rescue Effort with more:

Daphne
Pig (Farm): An adoptable pig (farm) in Springfield, MO
Large • Young • Female

Kiss a pig? My name is Daphne and I am a real people pig, looking for someone to love! Truly, I’m a pig with a lot of heart. If you have a big heart too, lets get together. I like long walks on my leash and belly rubs. My hobbies are playing with my blue bouncy ball and soaking in a nice cool pool of water. Yummy treats make me talk and beg. I will follow you anyplace. I do enjoy a fine meal, it is a little embarrassing but I get so excited at meal time that I run around and act silly, jumping and twisting, but what do you expect I am a pig after all. If you are wondering about farm pigs, yes we can be loving pets if you have the room. I want a forever home with someone who thinks outside the box and can see me for the sweet heart that I am. I am just a baby now but I will get big and will need a home with plenty of room for me to grow.

Daphne is at the CARE sanctuary and is available for adoption. If you have any questions about her or are interested in meeting her please email us at: yokosw@aol.com

Pigs are intelligent creatures and make lovely companions, assuming you have the room. If so, please consider welcoming this shiny little soul into your home. She’s every bit as deserving as a cat or dog, dontchaknow!

 

Allow me to introduce you to Larry!
Or is this Moe? Hmmm, he could be Curly, too.
HSMO used the same photo for all three Bantam roosters and didn’t specify.
No matter! I’m sure they’re all equally handsome guys!
CC image via the Humane Society of Missouri / Longmeadow Rescue Ranch.

Seeing as it’s the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, I really wanted to make a turkey our Friday friend in need. Alas, there are none to be found at the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, the closest major farmed animal sanctuary to Kansas City. Ah well. They do have chickens, though! Close, if not totally seasonal. That’s okay though, since chickens rock just as hard as turkeys.

Larry, Moe and Curly are a trio of Bantam roosters who arrived at the rescue ranch together as strays. All three are about a year and a half old, and have been at the shelter since May 2011. The three get on well together, but have not yet been introduced to females. Longmeadow doesn’t specify that the three must be adopted together – but really, wouldn’t that be dandy? Let’s make it happen, people!

Here are each of their listings in turn:

LARRY – ID#A509360

I am an unaltered male, black and white Bantam mix.

The shelter staff think I am about 1 year and 5 months old.

I have been at the shelter since May 17, 2011.

Shelter Staff made the following comments about this animal: Larry, Moe and Curly all came into our shelters as strays. They were not claimed and are now up for adoption. They get along with each other for now but we have also not introduced them to hens yet. They are very cute and perch in the same order and facing alternating directions every night.

Adoption fee: $5 each

For more information about this animal, call:
Humane Society of Missouri – Longmeadow at (636) 583-8759
Ask for information about animal ID number A509360

MOE – ID#A509364

I am an unaltered male, black and white Bantam.

The shelter staff think I am about 1 year and 5 months old.

I have been at the shelter since May 17, 2011.

Shelter Staff made the following comments about this animal: Larry, Moe and Curly all came into our shelters as strays. They were not claimed and are now up for adoption. They get along with each other for now but we have also not introduced them to hens yet. They are very cute and perch in the same order and facing alternating directions every night.

Adoption fee: $5 each

For more information about this animal, call:
Humane Society of Missouri – Longmeadow at (636) 583-8759
Ask for information about animal ID number A509364

CURLY – ID#A509361

I am an unaltered male, black and white Bantam.

The shelter staff think I am about 1 year and 5 months old.

I have been at the shelter since May 17, 2011.

Shelter Staff made the following comments about this animal: Larry, Moe and Curly all came into our shelters as strays. They were not claimed and are now up for adoption. They get along with each other for now but we have also not introduced them to hens yet. They are very cute and perch in the same order and facing alternating directions every night.

Adoption fee: $5 each

For more information about this animal, call:
Humane Society of Missouri – Longmeadow at (636) 583-8759
Ask for information about animal ID number A509361

Longmeadow Rescue Ranch is located on 165 acres near Union, Missouri – a four-hour drive from KCMO. Stop by during their Open House / Adoption Days to meet all the lovely animals who call Longmeadow home: horses, goats, chickens, rabbits, cows, even a parakeet! $15 and a weekend out is a small price to pay for everlasting friendship!

Hank, an adorable white and tan babykid of a goat, pokes his tiny little noggin through the square in a cow fence. Is this photo worthy of a calendar, or what? Hello, Mr. March!
Photo courtesy North Star Rescue.

On a whim I decided to search Petfinder for “barnyard” animals this morning, just to see whether any new, semi-local listings popped up. And, wouldn’t you know it – I found not, one, not two, not three, but four newborn goats located in Niotaze, Kansas! (That’s about three hours southwest of KCMO, for those too lazy or apathetic to Mapquest it. Hey, I’m not judging or anything.) Quadruplets for the win!

Alas, Hank is the only kiddo whose Petfinder profile comes equipped with a listing, so that makes him :::drumroll please::: our Friend of the week!

Feeding time!
Photo courtesy North Star Rescue.

Hank
Goat: An adoptable goat in Niotaze, KS
Medium • Baby • Male

This is Hank! He was the first born out of four on Jan. 16th 2011. Four was too much for his mom to care for so he is a bottle baby. He is very friendly and would make a great pet. He is good with dogs, cats and kids. He is located in Niotaze, Kansas 67355 but we can help get him transported anywhere in the US. He will be ready for adoption when he is weaned, but we would like to have an adopter waiting for him. He can be neutered here or his new home will have to sign a contract to have it done. He will need to be adopted with another goat or go to a home that already has one. He has never been alone. His adoption fee is $75 to cover part of the cost of his care. If interested please email and I will send you an adoption application.

Hank’s Contact Info
North Star Rescue, Niotaze, KS
620-515-3308

Hank’s three siblings – Dumbo, Lil girl, and Bubba – are all available for adoption through North Star Rescue, too. If you don’t already have a goat friend, perhaps you can adopt two siblings together? Goats are totes the shiz, you know!

Vegan pizza, topped with mozzarella Follow Your Heart Cheese and pineapple rings.
CC image via Flickr user tehbieber.

Wow, I totally flaked out and forgot to do the link roundup yesterday, didn’t I? I blame the craptabulous weather, which is slowly turning my brain into mush. Luckily, the temps in Kansas City should be warming this week, and I am super-psyched to spend some time outdoors with my five BDFs! (Best Dog Friends!) Also good: these links are just as delicious when served one day late. NOM!

(By the by, can you believe that the National Organization for Marriage has totally coopted this acronym for its hateful group? “NOM” should stand for all that is beautiful and yummy in the world. Denying GLBTQ folks their human and civil rights? Not so much. For shame!)

Contests and giveaways! Over at Vegan Planet, Robin Robertson is giving away a copy of her cookbook Vegan Fire and Spice; the deadline to enter is tonight, 2/13. Also, So Delicious is holding a “100 Days of Change Giveaway” on Facebook, with a different prize (and winner) each day!

Of course, don’t forget to vote in the 1st Annual Vegan Valentine Contest at Cook. Vegan. Lover. (I’m not saying that you should vote for me; just vote, mkay?) You have until tonight at 9PM EST!

Spay & Neuter Kansas City “is in desperate need of dry cat food and litter donations!! If you can help out in any way, drop your donations off at 1116 E. 59th street! Our kitties on out Pet Outreach Program will purr with JOY!”

Did you know that you can opt out of receiving the Yellow Pages now? It’s true! Welcome to 2001, y’all!

The SF vegan blog vegansaurus! has a guest post from St. Louis vegan Liz Miller, who gives us a tour of the vegan food options in that other Missouri city. Check it: Vegan in St. Louis: because you might have a connecting flight cancelled here someday.

Pink Valentine’s Day biscuits that I made for my dog loves!
(& lovingly photographed on an animal-themed book pile.)
Recipe and details here.

Valentines Day! Whatever your plans for tomorrow, make them as cruelty-free as possible, yes? If you’re still shopping around for edible goodies, please use the Food Empowerment Project’s Chocolate List as a guide. Better yet, give your sweetie some handcrafted sweets, made by you with love (and vegan, fair trade chocolate, of course!). May I suggest peanut butter cups, coconut bonbons, rocky road bark, or chocolate covered pretzels? Or perhaps some chocolate-shaped vulvas for the vegan feminist in your life? (Oooh, me me! Pick me!)

Even a romantic vegan dinner at home, followed by a butter cream cake, would make for a nice surprise. For some ideas, check out VegWeb’s holiday page, as well as this guide to heart-shaped foods (hello, pizza!) from VegNews.

On the flower front, why not opt for living plants rather than decaying, pesticide-soaked, factory-farmed bouquets? (I’m partial to cacti, myself.) Or, if you simply must buy roses, think organic. VegNews also suggests making your own eco-friendly bouquet out of recycled paper, Martha Stewart styley. Finally, packets of heirloom seeds are a nice gift idea for gardeners. Plus, they serve as a much-needed reminder that spring is right around the corner. (And after that: summer!)

As always, I ♥ vegan etsy!

Also: these Vegantine’s Day Strawberry Love Bugs! from Wing-It Vegan.

(And yes, I totally cribbed the last few paragraphs from this post. That’s okay though, cause I wrote it, so it’s not stealing. Just cheating! You should also totally check out the v-day post I wrote a few years back, about pampering your nonhuman friends on this most cheesiest and manufactured of holidays.)

Finally, this week’s Valentines Day-themed video comes from Farm Sanctuary:

Love, it’s a beautiful thing. Ditto: compassion and respect.