According to animalclock.org, over 20 billion animals have been slaughtered at the hands of factory farming in the U.S. over the past five months of this year alone. Just behind Erie High School on County Road 7, this epidemic is battled with a powerful weapon: compassion. Since its conception in 2015, Luvin’ Arms Animal Sanctuary has been dedicated to providing refuge for rescued farmed animals, ensuring they have the lifelong access to safety, happiness, and security they deserve.
Lanette Cook works as the Humane Educator and Outreach Coordinator for Luvin’ Arms. She describes, “Luvin’ Arms is a not-for-profit animal sanctuary that rescues abused and neglected farmed animals.”
“One of the principles we operate under is Ahimsa she details, “a word meaning ‘nonviolence’ in Sanskrit.” Founders Shaleen and Shilpi Shah practice Jain Dharma, one of the oldest Indian religions still practiced today. Ahimsa is one of the five fundamental principles forming the doctrine of Jainism, and for the past nine years, it has served as the foundation of Luvin’ Arms.
Initially inspired by a rescued horse named Jale, who came from a background of neglect, the Shah couple was compelled to create a place of refuge and companionship for farmed animals like Jale. While the overwhelming majority of residents come from both large and small-scale dairy or meat farms, each has a unique backstory and is on a unique road to healing. “Some of our roosters came to us from rooster fighting rings,” Cook says. “It’s illegal, but it happens all the time”.
With over 800 success stories and over 150 residents, Luvin’ Arms has spent nearly ten years rescuing and rehabilitating a wide range of farmed animals and has grown substantially. Their residents include chickens, cows, donkeys, ducks, goats, horses, pigs, sheep, turkeys, and even a peacock named Peaches.
Cook describes, “As you increase in size, the resources you need increase as well. You have different species of residents that have different nutritional needs, different needs shelter-wise, and they also have different needs socially, emotionally, and cognitively.” Every resident that Luvin’ Arms takes in is a resident they commit to for life, so being thorough and considerate in this process is crucial.
The Care Team is at the center of Luvin’ Arms. “They are the ones that are directly working with the residents,” Cook establishes. “They’re usually the first ones here and the last ones to leave.” To ensure each resident gets exceptional care, the Care Team works seven days a week, 365 days a year to fulfill nutritional needs, administer medicine, perform health checks, and even provide massage therapy.
Although the nature of their work is meticulous and thorough, the members of the Care Team find great happiness in what they do. “I’m just really grateful that I get to spend every day that I come to work hanging out with our rescued animal residents. I have formed very close bonds with many of them, and I just really love being able to play a part in their story.” Cook says. “I have a best friend chicken who is named Aspen. It surprises people how much like us that our animal residents are.”
Even aside from the Care Team, there are countless other ways to get involved with Luvin’ Arms. Volunteering, for example, is a vital component to running the sanctuary successfully. This upcoming fall, Luvin’ Arms is excited to announce their new LEAP Program, standing for Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet. The LEAP Program is available for high school students and will meet the second Saturday of every month through the entire school year.
Cook explains, “The LEAP Program gives high school kids the opportunity to come out for an entire day, work with all of the animal residents we have here, learn a lot about their different species, how to do health checks, and learn about their different needs.” Applications are open now on luvinarms.org. Luvin’ Arms also hosts a variety of exciting events, such as seasonal festivals and holiday celebrations, as well as offering tours and birthday parties.
“I would love people to come out here and visit,” Cook states, “because the whole mission of my work and the work of the sanctuary is to help people open up their circle of compassion to include farmed animals. I think by coming out here and forming those connections, it makes it a lot easier.”
In a world where the suffering of farmed animals remains largely unseen, Luvin’ Arms Animal Sanctuary stands as a beacon of compassion and hope. Through their efforts, they inspire the community to strengthen its relationship with our fellow citizens of planet Earth.
