Texas animal sanctuary grows from two rescued goats to 95-acre refuge

The Austin Farm Sanctuary's journey began modestly in 2016 when Chris Fuller-Wigg and Angela rescued two goats and provided them shelter in their small South Austin backyard. The successful rescue sparked a vision for something larger, setting in motion a decade-long transformation that would fundamentally reshape animal care in the region.

Today, the sanctuary sprawls across 95 acres and provides refuge to approximately 240 animals, with many residents being elderly or disabled creatures that might otherwise face neglect or worse. The facility has become recognized as a sanctuary that offers these sentient beings a dignified life, moving beyond conventional farming practices toward a more compassionate model.

The sanctuary's impact extends beyond simply sheltering animals. Its innovative LEAP program engages visitors in hands-on educational experiences designed to build empathy and understanding for farm animals. Through direct interaction and education, the program challenges visitors' preconceptions about livestock, promoting a broader cultural shift toward recognizing farm animals as sentient beings deserving of care and respect.

The Austin Farm Sanctuary represents a growing movement across North America challenging traditional perspectives on animal agriculture and welfare, demonstrating how individual initiative can scale into meaningful institutional change within a single decade.