A volunteer walks with Nir, a cow with prosthetic leg at "Freedom Farm"
Photo: Reuters
IN PICTURES: Disabled animals given new lease of life at Israeli sanctuary
On the Freedom Farm in Moshav Olesh, even a three-legged cow has a future; founded by animal-rights activists, the farm is home to 240 animals that were raised for slaughter — and now enjoy a good life and ample affection
Miri, a three-legged donkey, Gary, a sheep with leg braces, and Omer, a blind goat, munch on some hay at Israel's only animal rescue and educational sanctuary.
"If you want people to open their hearts towards these animals, we have to bring them close," says Romano, stroking two pigs named Yossi and Omri.
Freedom Farm was founded by animal rights activists Adit Romano, a 52-year-old former business executive, and Meital Ben Ari, 38, who used to work in tech.
Adit Romano with Freedom Farm resident, Omri the pig (Photo: Reuters)
It serves as a refuge for mostly disabled animals and as an educational centre for visitors.
A volunteer walks with Nir the cow with a prosthetic leg at Freedom Farm (Photo: Reuters)
Volunteers offer a musical interlude for the residents of Freedom Farm (Photo: Reuters)
The special nature of the farm has drawn media interested from around the world.
Most of the nearly 240 animals at the facility were raised for slaughter.
Freedom Farm resident Gary the sheep sports his leg braces (Photo: Reuters)
Some were donated by farmers who chose to save them. Others, like Miri, who was found lying in a ditch with a broken leg, were abandoned.
Miri the three-legged donkey nuzzles her friend Gili at the Freedom Farm (Photo: Reuters)
After Miri's rescue, her leg was amputated.
Yossi the pig sits in soil at the Freedom Farm (Photo: Reuters)
Ben Ari says children with special needs particularly enjoy tours of the farm and its 5 acres (2 hectares) of green pastures, stables and a barn in Moshav Olesh, an agricultural community in central Israel.
"I'm worried about the future of humanity and this place sounds like a place of hope," says 56-year-old Shira Breuer, who is on a visit with her 84-year-old father.
A sheep and a goat at the Freedom Farm (Photo: Reuters)
The farm's most recent addition is Nir, a five-month-old cow fitted with a prosthetic leg to replace one that was broken and then amputated.
A volunteer hugs Nir the cow fitted with prosthetic leg at the Freedom Farm (Photo: Reuters)
Freedom Farm raised money for the artificial limb and medical care through an internet crowd funding campaign.
It costs about $1 million a year to run the farm, which relies on contributions and volunteer workers from Israel and abroad, including musicians - who come and play for the animals.
