Rescuing Abused Farm Animals and Teaching Kindness

If you like stories with humble beginnings told straight from the horse’s mouth, then look no further than the story of the nonprofit Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary. It’s a heartwarming tale featuring all sorts of tails, that started with one woman’s dream to save neglected and abused factory farm animals. 

Diane Dieterich, executive director of Greener Pastures, first embarked on her mission in 2014 because she could not stand idly by knowing that there were endless farm animals enduring unthinkable abuse. 

“I literally started in my backyard in San Luis Obispo rescuing animals. I had 14 animals in my house. More and more, I was realizing the need for a farm animal sanctuary so we started one in Santa Ynez,” says Dieterich. 

Now, Dieterich is in charge of a farm sanctuary that houses rescued horses, goats, pigs, donkeys, sheep, and fowl. Plus, there’s Joe Kennedy – a retired tax accountant from Santa Barbara turned co-owner and ranch hand – as well as a group of steady, dedicated volunteers.

Greener Pastures’ mission is simple: save animals from factory farms and neglectful living situations where they eventually will be sent to slaughter. Instead, Greener Pastures provides them unwavering love, dedicated medical care, rehabilitation, and the chance for these animals to live their lives in a safe, peaceful setting. 

Each animal has a compelling story. Dinkey is a potbelly pig, whose lack of care left her severely sunburned and so morbidly obese, her folds of fat made her totally blind. Greener Pastures rescued her and, with the care they provided, she lost 160 pounds and was able to regain her sight after surgery. Starlit and her six-week-old colt, Wildfire, were scheduled to be sent to a slaughterhouse for their meat. Rescued by Greener Pastures, it was discovered that Starlit was pregnant. Little Felicity became the first horse to be born on the farm.

The compassion shown at Greener Pastures extends far beyond the animals they save. The Sanctuary is opened up to visitors by appointment (often to schoolchildren) who visit with the animals. The visits with the animals impart empathy and teach kindness. It’s simple but transformative. These interactions teach reverence for all life and promote a loving kindness (towards animals and humans) for a more peaceful community and planet.  

Dieterich sees the impact especially with young children. “We share [the animals] with kids to teach them…why treating an animal with kindness is important. If they can feel empathy for the animal, then they’ll care.”

It’s no surprise that Greener Pastures is often contacted by students who are part of the Future Farmers of America program. Rather than send their animals off to slaughter, students in this program have increasingly come to Greener Pastures for a more humane solution.

The farm is fully supported by donors and volunteers, who range from students to seniors and veterans who not only want to help animals, but who are also searching for a fulfilling community. They find it at the Sanctuary. 

Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary is a place of hope, recovery, and second chances. Its work shows the best of people’s compassion and grace towards those who can’t help themselves.