American photographer Isa Leshko shares: “When I started this project, my photo galleries were not sure people would want to buy these photos, because they were too sad.”

Most of the animals are rescued from slaughterhouses or farms after authorities intervene in cases of abuse, and take them to live in one of the animal sanctuaries scattered across the country. America.

Buddy, a 28 year old horse

After losing his sight, Buddy was taken to a sanctuary because he was not properly cared for. Buddy suffered from panic attacks, which took months of practice to overcome. Buddy also suffered from iritis, and his eyes were removed to treat this painful condition.

Zebulon and Isaiah, two 12 year old sheep

For the first eight months of their lives, both were kept in a small cage until rescued. Due to early confinement, the two sheep suffered from severe arthritis.

Babs, the 24 year old donkey

For the first seventeen years of her life, Babs was used to compete in roping in Eastern Washington. Donkeys are inexpensive, so they are used for entry-level roping competitions. Roping involves electrocuting a donkey to make it run, chasing it on horseback, and then throwing a rope around its neck or hind legs to pull it to the ground. Donkeys have to endure this over and over again until they are exhausted, injured or killed.

Bessie, a 20 year old cow

As a “milker” on a commercial dairy farm, Bessie was impregnated many times during her first four years of life. Most retired dairy cows are slaughtered, and their meat is processed into hamburger meat or pet food. Bessie was rescued while on her way to the slaughterhouse.

Ash, 8 years old

As with so many rescued animals, not much is known about Ash’s early life. However, Ash’s body bears signs suggesting that Ash was raised on a factory farm. The tip of its beak had been severed, and its middle toes had also been partially amputated.

Commercially raised turkeys and chickens live in large, windowless barns so densely packed that they cannot walk without stepping on each other. There is no place to preen or forage. They live in such stressful conditions that they become unusually aggressive and even resort to cannibalism. Instead of improving the animals’ living conditions, farmers try to minimize the damage they can cause to each other.

Handsome one, 33 years old

Brought back to the reserve when he was no longer available for racing

Phyllis, 13 years old

Before being brought to a sanctuary, Phyllis was raised for wool for the first eight years of her life.

Violet, 12 years old

Born with partially paralyzed hind legs, Violet was sent to a sanctuary for lack of proper care

Blue, 19 years old

Rooster, a chicken of unknown age

Abe, 21 years old

Teresa, 13 years old