We believe all animals should live free from abuse, exploitation, neglect, and the cruelty of animal agriculture.
THE PEACEFUL FIELDS MISSION
Our mission is to honor all of creation through providing a safe & forever home for farmed animals in need, so they can live free from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. A core aspect of this mission is to highlight the cruelty of animal agriculture through showcasing the personality and lives of our residents and engage in vegan outreach to prevent further harm.
As an incorporated 501c3 non-profit we are run by a small team of dedicated staff & volunteers and supported by generous donors & advocates like you. Located just outside of Winchester, VA, nestled in among the Blue Ridge Mountains, PFS is home to many turkeys, chickens, ducks, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and equines rescued from abuse, neglect, and the cruelty of animal agriculture.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Tikkun olam (תיקון עולם)
“Repair of the world”
Few Jewish concepts are as well known in the world community as tikkun olam, translated as “repair of the world.” This Jewish “social policy” or mandate, encourages acts of “repair” and emphasizes a human responsibility for fixing what is wrong in the world. These acts could include charitable giving or going vegan, as well as many other ways for us to do tikkun olam in our daily lives.
At PFS, this is a powerful tenant that informs our mission and our every day actions. Our collective, human responsibility to change, improve, and fix what is wrong with our world, society, and community is powerful – and means that each individual has an essential role in building a better future. We are reminded of the wrongs done to farmed animals in animal agriculture every single day and we know it is our responsibility to fix it. In our peaceful fields, we are doing just that!
Tza‘ar ba‘alei chayim (צער בעלי חיים)
“Prohibition against the cruelty & suffering of living creatures”
There are certain mitzvahs or “commandments” within Judaism, and one of them is tza’ar ba’alei chayim, translated as a “prohibition against the cruelty and suffering of living creatures.” This prohibition against tza’ar ba’alei chayim not only prevents unnecessary cruelty to animals, but also imposes certain positive obligations on those entrusted with caring for animals.
At PFS, we must feed, water, and otherwise care for our residents’ basic needs and we are required to take extra precautions to alleviate the suffering of these animals and provide enrichment. This specific mitzvah mirrors our vegan principles of prevention of animal cruelty, suffering, and exploitation quite well. We believe that it is our responsibility as humans to treat all other beings on this earth, especially those more vulnerable than us, like farmed animals, with care and respect. In sum, we strive to honor all of creation.
While these, and many other guiding principles form the building blocks of our mission & reflects the faith of our founder here at Peaceful Fields, ALL are welcome!
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Peaceful Fields Sanctuary 