Photos: A new lease life for disabled animals at Israeli sanctuary

Miri, a three-legged donkey, Gary, a sheep with leg braces, and Omer, a blind goat, munch on some hay at Israel's only animal rescue and educational sanctuary. Most of the nearly 240 animals at Fredom Farm, a facility spread over 5 acres (2 hectares) of green pastures, stables and a barn in Moshav Olesh, an agricultural community in central Israel were raised for slaughter. Some were donated by farmers who chose to save them.

Updated on: Mar 15, 2019 9:44 AM IST

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Donkeys named Gili and Miri, interact at “Freedom Farm” in Moshav Olesh, Israel. Founded by animal rights activists Adit Romano, a 52-year-old former business executive, and Meital Ben Ari, 38, who used to work in tech, Freedom Farm serves as a refuge for mostly disabled animals and as an educational centre for visitors. (Nir Elias / REUTERS)

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Meital Ben Ari, a co-founder of “Freedom Farm” kisses Omri a pig, in his sty at the farm. “If you want people to open their hearts towards these animals, we have to bring them close,” said Romano, stroking two pigs named Yossi and Omri. (Nir Elias / REUTERS)

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Meital Ben Ari pats Gary, a sheep with leg braces, at the farm. Most of the nearly 240 animals at the facility were raised for slaughter. Some were donated by farmers who chose to save them. Others, like Miri, who was found lying in a ditch with a broken leg, were abandoned. (Nir Elias / REUTERS)

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A volunteer plays guitar as another pats a goat. After Miri’s rescue, her leg was amputated. Ben Ari said children with special needs particularly enjoy tours of the farm and its 5 acres (2 hectares) of green pastures, stables and a barn in Moshav Olesh, an agricultural community in central Israel. (Nir Elias / REUTERS)

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Miri the three-legged donkey and a pig named Yossi stand on a field at Freedom Farm. On a visit with her 84-year-old father, Shira Breuer, 56, said: “I’m worried about the future of humanity and this place sounds like a place of hope.” (Nir Elias / REUTERS)

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A volunteer hugs Nir, a cow fitted with prosthetic leg. The five-month-old cow is the farm’s most recent addition and has been fitted with a prosthetic leg to replace one that was broken and then amputated. (Nir Elias / REUTERS)

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A volunteer treats a chicken at the farm. Freedom Farm raised money for Nir’s artificial limb and medical care through an internet crowd funding campaign. (Nir Elias / REUTERS)

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It costs about $1 million a year to run the farm, which relies on contributions and volunteer workers from Israel and abroad, including musicians - who come and play for the animals. (Nir Elias / REUTERS)