#cattaraugus county

[unteriors]

Church Street, Franklinville, New York.

[americanbuildings]

View of Mainline crossing - Erie Railway, Dayton Tunnel, Allen Street Vicinity, Dayton, Cattaraugus County, NY

[animalsoffarmsanctuary]

From Cruelty to Sanctuary: Introducing Oprah Wingfree!

Meet Oprah Wingfree — a rescued hen who, like the star for whom she’s named, inspires people to make positive changes to make the world a better place. Although she’s only been at Farm Sanctuary for a short time, Oprah’s already changing hearts and minds about society’s relationship with farm animals, demonstrating the power of compassion to make a difference.

We met Oprah earlier this year at the scene of a horrific cruelty case in Cattaraugus County, NY, where more than 80 animals — mostly pigs — were struggling to survive in deplorable conditions. They were being forced to live in filthy barns without adequate food, water, or ventilation — and a result, the pigs were suffering from a variety of serious health issues, and Oprah and the other chickens she was rescued with all had pneumonia.

Tragically, this was not the first time we’ve encountered cruelty at this location: About 15 years ago, Farm Sanctuary rescued more than 100 pigs from the very same farm … and the very same farmer. Though he was convicted of animal cruelty at the time, he was only barred from owning animals for three years — and clearly, that wasn’t enough.

Oprah and her chicken friends were being kept in a dark, filthy garage along with a number of pigs (including Wallace piglet and Mia pig with her newborn babies). Oprah was found roosting atop piles of garbage — but her life was about to be transformed. 

Once safe at Farm Sanctuary, we cleaned her up, treated her pneumonia, and worked to help her feel comfortable and at ease. With love and proper care, her amazing personality began to shine through — and in her happy new life at Farm Sanctuary, she will serve as a powerful ambassador for other chickens just like her!

So why “Wingfree”? Because she’ll never again be exploited or treated with cruelty; instead, she’s happy, healthy, and free as a bird. Oprah is quite friendly and talkative these days, inspiring all she meets to speak out in support of kindness for all beings. “You get a beautiful life, you get a beautiful life … EVERYBODY gets a beautiful life when we put compassion first!”

Please share Oprah Wingfree’s story. Together, we can spread the word that, like her, every chicken is someone, not something. With your support, Farm Sanctuary can continue to promote farm-animal-friendly living through rescue, education, and advocacy. A compassionate world begins with you!

[victorianhouses]

Gowanda, NY by Paige Miller Via Flickr: Victorian home in Gowanda

[unteriors]

Baxter Mills Road, Ischua, New York.

[unteriors]

N Franklin St, Cattaraugus, New York.

[unteriors]

Aristo Terrace, Yorkshire, New York.

[unteriors]

Route 219, West Valley, New York.