Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonina Turzi Sarah Salluzzo.
Jonina Turzi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Our Story
Lancaster Farm Sanctuary was founded by two Lancaster County natives who began their work in animal protection through legislative advocacy. Early on, we focused on advancing laws intended to protect animals from cruelty and neglect.
But over time, we came up against a difficult truth. Many of those protections did not extend to farmed animals in meaningful ways. The very animals who needed protection the most were often excluded.
That realization changed everything.
We began to ask what it would look like to not only advocate for change, but to directly intervene in the lives of animals who were suffering right now. In a place like Lancaster County, where animal agriculture is deeply rooted, the need was immediate and visible.
So we shifted our focus and created Lancaster Farm Sanctuary.
What started as a small effort to help a few animals has grown into a full scale rescue and lifelong sanctuary. Today, we care for cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and horses, many of whom come to us from urgent situations such as auctions, neglect cases, and emergency rescues.
At the same time, our roots in advocacy continue to shape everything we do. Each rescue is not only a life saved, but an opportunity to help people better understand who these animals are and why their lives matter.
Being from Lancaster County, this work is deeply personal. This is our home. And building a sanctuary here has allowed us to create a space where compassion can grow alongside tradition, and where a different relationship with animals becomes possible.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Ours has not always been a smooth road, but in many ways, that is the nature of this work.
One of the biggest challenges is the sheer scale of need. There are far more animals in need of help than we could ever take in. Every day brings calls, messages, and situations where animals are suffering, and we have to make difficult decisions about where we can step in. Knowing we cannot say yes to every animal is one of the hardest parts of what we do.
There is also a deep emotional weight that comes with this work. Many of the animals who arrive here have experienced neglect, illness, or long term suffering. Walking alongside them through recovery, and sometimes through loss, requires resilience and a willingness to stay present even when it is painful.
Another challenge is the way farmed animals are often misunderstood. Many people have never had the opportunity to see them as individuals. They are viewed through the lens of agriculture rather than as beings with personalities, relationships, and a strong desire to live. Part of our work is gently challenging those perceptions and helping people connect in a new way.
At the same time, operating a sanctuary comes with very real practical demands. Providing daily care, specialized medical treatment, and maintaining the land and facilities requires significant resources and constant attention.
Even with these challenges, the work is deeply meaningful. Every time an animal recovers, forms a bond, or simply experiences safety for the first time, it reinforces why this matters. And over time, we have seen perspectives shift. People come here with one understanding and leave with another. We have heard from community members how valuable this organization has been in their lives, choices, and relationships.
That is a big part of what keeps us going.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Lancaster Farm Sanctuary is a farmed animal rescue and advocacy nonprofit organization in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We provide lifelong care to animals rescued from neglect, abuse, and the agricultural system, including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, and horses.
We are known for stepping up for animals in urgent and complex situations and for committing to them fully once they arrive. Our work is not just about rescue. It is about giving each individual the care, safety, and dignity they were denied.
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What We’re Proud Of
Lifelong sanctuary for every individual
When an animal comes to Lancaster Farm Sanctuary, they are home for good. We provide daily care, safe pasture, and the chance to live out their lives free from harm, often for the first time.
Advanced and compassionate medical care
Many of the animals who come to us need intensive treatment. We work closely with veterinary specialists to pursue the best possible outcomes, including innovative care when appropriate. One young sheep, Maeve, underwent a groundbreaking course of radiation therapy for a rare vascular condition, a treatment that will contribute to future care for other animals.
Rescuing animals from real world situations
Our work often begins in places most people never see, including livestock auctions, neglect cases, and emergency situations. Whether it is lambs pulled from the auction pipeline, starving senior horses, or injured animals in need of immediate care, we step in and bring them somewhere safe.
Helping people see animals differently
Through tours, outreach, and widely shared rescue stories, we invite the public to meet these animals as individuals. Visitors do not just see a cow or a pig. They meet someone with a personality, preferences, and a strong will to live.
A growing community of compassion
We have built a strong base of supporters locally and beyond, including being a leading organization in The Extraordinary Give. That support allows us to continue saying yes to animals who need us.
At its core, Lancaster Farm Sanctuary exists to give animals a second chance and to create a world where they would not need one.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Several core qualities shape Lancaster Farm Sanctuary and drive everything we do.
Unwavering commitment
We rescue animals and stand by them for life. We take on complex medical cases, long recoveries, and the daily responsibility of care without hesitation. When things get difficult, we do not step back. We stay, we problem solve, and we follow through.
Courage to act
We walk into places most people would never want to go. We respond to neglect cases and take in animals in urgent need of care. We face situations that are uncomfortable and often heartbreaking, and we choose to act anyway. That willingness to step forward defines our work.
Relentless compassion
We turn compassion into action every single day. It drives our decisions, sustains long hours, and keeps us moving forward. We do this work because we believe every animal matters, and we operate in a way that reflects that belief.
Innovation with purpose
We push for better outcomes. We work closely with veterinary teams, pursue advanced treatments, and explore new approaches when they can improve an animal’s life. We do not settle when more is possible.
An exceptional team
Our staff, board, and volunteers set the standard for what this work requires. They bring skill, grit, and deep care to every part of the organization, from daily animal care to long term strategy. They show up consistently, support one another, and hold a shared commitment to doing this work well. Their strength and dedication make everything we do possible.
A powerful community
We build a community that shows up. Our supporters and advocates stand with us and fuel this work. Together, we expand what we can do and how many animals we can reach.
Clarity of mission
We stay grounded in why we started. That clarity allows us to make hard decisions, stay focused, and keep moving forward with intention.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://LancasterFarmSanctuary.Org
- Instagram: @lancasterfarmsanctuary
- Facebook: Lancaster farm sanctuary
