VACAVILLE, CALIF - January 14, 2011 - Eighty 3-yr-old hens arrived at Animal Place's Rescue Ranch facility from an egg farm in northern California. The hens were slated for slaughter but in an agreement reached between Animal Place and the farmer, a small number of the hens were relinquished to Animal Place's custody.

Animal Place is one of the largest farmed animal sanctuaries in the country with a 600-acre facility in Grass Valley, CA and our 60-acre Rescue Ranch site in Vacaville, CA.

Commercial egg laying breeds produce up to 300 eggs a year, five times more than normal. When they reach the age of 1-3, they are generally sent to slaughter, although they can live another 6-8 years. Animal Place's Rescue Ranch works directly with egg farmers to provide a safe haven for hens headed to slaughter.

“With more cities allowing backyard chickens, we want to give the public a way to adopt chickens and avoid purchasing chicks through hatcheries, where they are shipped through the postal service ” said Education Manager Marji Beach, "These hens are the perfect backyard companions for the right home."

Those interested in providing permanent placement for any of the hens are encouraged to contact Animal Place and start the adoption process. Visit our website, www.animalplace.org to fill out an adoption form or call Kristin Rodriguez, adoption coordinator, at 530-798-5115. There is an adoption fee of $10 per hen with a discount for adopting multiple hens.  Adoption forms can be found here.

Note to media: Photos of the rescued hens are available upon request. You are invited to visit Animal Place’s Rescue Ranch in Vacaville, CA to photograph or film the birds.

Media Inquiries
Marji Beach

530-798-5114 (work)

797-363-7960 (cell)
marji@animalplace.org 

About Animal Place
Founded in 1989 Animal Place is one of the oldest and largest sanctuaries for farmed animals in the country. Nestled on 600-acres in Grass Valley, CA, Animal Place provides refuge to hundreds of neglected farmed animals. Animal Place strives to create meaningful change for farmed animals through advocacy and education. Thousands of visitors flock to the sanctuary each year to learn more about the animals and farming. Volunteer classes introduce folks to the more intense ways people can help. Internships are also available. For more information visit, www.animalplace.org or call 530-477-1757.

About Animal Place's Rescue Ranch
Started in 2010 on the former 60-acre site of Animal Place's sanctuary, Rescue Ranch is a unique program that involves working directly with farmers providing an alternative to slaughter for a small percentage of hens in the egg laying industry. There are more than 18 million hens raised for eggs in California. Most will never find true sanctuary. The farms  range from small, pasture-based operations to larger facilities. The names of farms will never be released to protect their identity and the integrity of the Rescue Ranch program.