The Dark Side of Urban Farming

The Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary gets weekly calls from people looking for new homes for their roosters, goats and other animals. Founded in 2004 with just a few chickens and a rooster, today the 23-acre refuge in Woodstock, N.Y., is home to more than 200 animals. While most of them are the result of investigations into farms and slaughterhouses, “a surprising number” are rescued “from the streets of New York City,” according to the sanctuary’s website.

“We get calls all the time from people who don’t want their animals or can’t afford them. We get emails about roosters found in the city or goats being neglected or pigs that are going to be killed if we don’t take them,” says Elana Kirshenbaum, programs coordinator at Woodstock.

As the local food movement takes hold and urban homesteading gains popularity, more people are giving backyard farming a try. The prospect of fresh eggs and milk inspires them to bring home adorable chicks and goats — but when chicks grow into roosters or goats begin eating the landscaping, these animals are often given to animal sanctuaries or simply abandoned.

“People have a romantic view of farming, but it takes a lot of time, energy and money to care for animals. Here, we take our chickens to the vet, and when they’re sick, we give them antibiotics. People need to ask themselves if they’re ready to take on that kind of responsibility for the life of the animal,” says Kirshenbaum.

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Kathy M.

5:13AM PDT on Apr 3, 2013

Thank You ! Im a city girl at heart and was thinking about a goat and some chickens.But thanks for changing my mind,and maybe saving some poor animals for a hard short life.Still moving toward a vegan life one step at a time.

April 3
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Duane B.

7:13AM PDT on Apr 2, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

April 2
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Fred H.

12:47PM PST on Feb 12, 2013

Thank you Megan, for Sharing this!

February 12
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jessica r.

6:42PM PST on Jan 27, 2013

As a species, humans can be so thoughtless and stupid, it's a wonder we've survived this long. Yeesh.

January 27
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Terry V.

4:48PM PST on Jan 27, 2013

thanks

Julie F.

10:57AM PST on Jan 27, 2013

very interesting

Victoria P.

1:52AM PDT on Aug 30, 2012

I live in a semi rural area where both chickens and goats are acceptable animals to have in the yard. It wasn't my plan to have a menagerie but somehow I have ended up with cats, dogs, bunny, rooster and a goat. I love them all but I do worry that I will be able to continue to afford to keep them all. None of them provide food, I don't want to breed my goat in order to get milk and I'm certainly not going to eat any of them. And I have to admitthough that when the goat gets into my plants I have had thoughts about sending her to animal sanctuary camp... but all in all they are great company and I can't really imagine a home without pets. So here they be while I go off to work to make enough money to keep us all in kibble.

August 30
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Kelly R.

11:45PM PDT on May 23, 2012

Thanx, for the information

May 23
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Kathy K.

1:42PM PDT on May 22, 2012

Wow, I had no clue about any of this. Thanks for the information.

May 22
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G A R.

5:53PM PDT on Apr 30, 2012

there is a group in Albuquerque that is promoting urban chicken raising. they are good people and will hold your hand through the process of getting started. yes, they sell chickens, but only adult chickens (hens), so you know exactly what you are getting. they have classes, will advise you if issues pop up, help you network with other urban chicken farmers in town. just good people doing it right.