For more than a decade, “farm animal whisperer” Susie Coston has served as national shelter director of Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization. Responsible for the group’s three shelters in New York and California, Coston oversees the care of hundreds of rescued cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. And that’s just during her workday. At night, she comes home to her eight rescued cats.

“There are far more similarities between cats and farm animals than people realize,” says Coston. “Like our companion animals, farm animals are unique individuals with distinct personalities. They are sensitive, intelligent, and social.” Here, Coston shares some of the many ways that farm animals are like our feline friends.

Susie Coston with a friend at Farm Sanctuary. (Courtesy Farm Sanctuary)

1. Purrfectly Content

Like cats, turkeys enjoy being stroked—sometimes so much that they start to “purr.” The noise sounds very much like a cat’s purr, and it means just the same thing: “This is heaven!”

2. Leg Rubs

Does your cat love to rub up against your legs? Sheep do it too! Like cats, they’re partial to legs attached to people they like. Some of our sheep will spend a good ten minutes scratching their heads on your jeans.

3. Discerning Eye

Felines are notorious for their discriminating taste in companionship; farm animals can have strong preferences as well. They all have their favorite people—and people they would rather avoid. A grumpy pig, for instance, will make it very clear that you are not the person they were expecting to see. Meanwhile, a pig (or any farm animal) who thinks you’re great will probably let you know it the moment you walk in their barn by showering you with affection.

4. Curiosity and the Cow

Cats aren’t the only ones known for inquisitiveness; cattle are also very curious. Our herd members love to follow behind any animal who comes into their pasture. Huge cows and steers are hard to miss, but that doesn’t stop them from trying to sneak up on cats, squirrels, chickens, or anyone who wanders in, just to figure out who they are.

5. Goats Just Want to Have Fun

Maybe your cats like to scramble up the cat tree or chase each other around the house like maniacs. Goats can’t get enough play time either. They love to run, jump, and rough-house. The goat jungle-gyms (or bales of straw, or just about anything they can climb) at our shelters have withstood some epic games of King of the Hill.

6. A Place in the Sun

When it comes to finding the perfect patch of sunshine, pigs give cats a run (or, perhaps, a doze) for their money. Pigs are some of the smartest animals around, and they love intellectual stimulation, but they are also suckers for the simple pleasure of a good stretch and an afternoon nap.

7. Lap of Luxury

Cats aren’t the only ones who like to curl up on a warm lap. Many chickens enjoy it too! Some chickens like nothing more than to sit in your lap and have their heads softly stroked. I’ve even known a few who also liked to ride on people’s shoulders.

Zuri the lamb takes flight. (Courtesy Farm Sanctuary)

8. Good Grooming

Although they don’t have the reputation for fastidiousness that cats do, cattle also spend lots of time grooming both themselves and others. They lick their sons and daughters; they lick their best friends and herd mates; they even lick their human buddies. Grooming is a way for them to lend a helping hand (er, tongue), to provide comfort, and to express affection.

9. Fun and Games

Just like the cat who can spend hours attacking a piece of string, farm animals are talented at making their own fun. For instance, any time you bring a box near our friend Maxie the goat, she will snoop, pulling out the contents and making toys of any choice discoveries.

10. Motherly Love

Like cats, many farm animals make very loving, devoted, and protective mothers. Among these dedicated moms are pigs, who build nests for their babies to sleep in at night (sometimes even after their “babies” have become full-grown adults), and hens, who protect their chicks by hiding the youngsters under their wings.

To learn more about Farm Sanctuary, click here.



Michele C. Hollow writes about pets and wildlife for parade.com. She works as a journalist, author, and editor.