Sanctuaries, Slaughterhouses, and Saving Lives: Inside Farm Animal Refuge with Matt Lieurance

EP#10 | Matt Lieurance, co-founder of Farm Animal Refuge in Southern California, pulls back the curtain on running a sanctuary dedicated to rescued farm animals. From pigs with the intelligence of toddlers to cows in wheelchairs, Matt shares the realities of rescue work, the emotional toll of saying "no," and how meeting these animals changes visitors’ lives and diets.

Dive into conversations about:

1. Pig genius: Why pigs rival dogs in intelligence and emotional depth

2. The sanctuary dilemma: Balancing compassion with capacity (and why "no" is the hardest word)

3. Wheelchairs for goats? How Farm Animal Refuge redefines care for special-needs animals

4. The power of connection: How tours shift perspectives on food choices

5. Industry truths: Why slaughterhouse walls aren’t made of glass

6. Compassion fatigue: The mental load of running a sanctuary

Whether you’re vegan, veg-curious, or just love animals, this episode is a raw look at the bonds that redefine what it means to care, and the systemic changes needed to protect farm animals.

About the Guest:
Matt Lieurance, Co-Founder of Farm Animal Refuge

Matt runs a sanctuary in Southern California exclusively for farm animals, rescuing pigs, cows, chickens, and goats from the food industry and backyard neglect. A vocal advocate for plant-based living, he uses sanctuary tours to bridge the gap between plate and pasture. Follow their work at Farm Animal Refuge (https://farmanimalrefuge.org/).

Lesson Takeaways:

1. Pigs are family. Their emotional intelligence rivals dogs—they self-potty train and mourn like humans.

2. Sanctuaries aren’t petting zoos. Animals have autonomy; some will hug you, others ignore you—and that’s okay.

3. Compassion has limits. Rescues must say "no" to 99% of intake requests to sustain quality care.

4. Wheelchairs aren’t just for pets. Goats and sheep thrive with mobility aids—vet care should be species-blind.

5. Diet changes save lives. One person going plant-based spares 200+ animals yearly.

6. Volunteer before you adopt. Sanctuary work reveals the 15-year commitment of caring for pigs or cows.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: Meet Farm Animal Refuge

01:09 – Why pigs are the "fourth smartest land animal" (and cleaner than you think)

05:13 – The pig lift: A $10,000 game-changer for veterinary care

10:06 – How tours plant seeds for dietary changes (and why they’re not petting zoos)

15:30 – Where sanctuary animals come from: Slaughterhouse rejects vs. surrendered pets

20:45 – Special-needs animals: Wheelchairs, spinal injuries, and the "Funky Bunch"

27:10 – The vet crisis: Why farm animals struggle to find care (and Davis road trips)

34:00 – The sanctuary mental load: Compassion fatigue, wildfires, and 3 AM emergencies

42:15 – Why fostering farm animals often backfires (and how to help responsibly)

50:20 – The truth about "humane" meat (and why small farms still slaughter)

58:00 – Climate, health, and ethics: The triple case for plant-based living

01:05:00 – How to visit Farm Animal Refuge (and Matt’s favorite resident: Alfie the cow)

Resources:

Farm Animal Refuge Website: https://farmanimalrefuge.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmanimalrefuge/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farmanimalrefuge/

Mikko’s Choice: https://mikkoschoice.com

Human Animal’s Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humananimalspodcast-w5j