Nine years ago, Alli and Justin watched a documentary that left them both sobbing. When it ended, Justin turned to her and said, “That’s it, I’m vegan.” A few months later he asked, “What more can we do?”
Alli didn’t hesitate. “Let’s start a farm animal sanctuary.”
That was the day their lives changed forever.
Today, The Zend: Final Farm & Sanctuary is home to 85 rescued souls across twelve species: pigs big and little, goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, a turkey, two donkeys, four longhorns and a tortoise. Most were born into a world that saw them only as products. Here, they’re family. There’s Farrah, the goat who never learned the rules. Daddy B, who figured out how to unlock a door with a key. Dutch, the gentle giant of a longhorn who leaned right in on his first day. And Charlie, the first big pig, who showed them just how much a pig can change a life.
Every one of them gets the same promise: love and care for the rest of their life. Zen until the end.
It isn’t easy. Days start with hours of chores (you might catch a Denago cart quietly making the rounds) and end with snack time in the pasture. More animals need rescue than they could ever take in, and every “no” breaks their hearts. When they lose someone, Alli says, “grief is a constant companion.” Still, every morning, they show up for everyone who’s still there.
Why keep going? For the moment a frightened new arrival finally understands it’s safe. Alli and Justin sit in the pasture with each newcomer night after night, playing music, until fear turns into trust.
“Every single story makes it worth it.”
Visit, volunteer or give at thezendtx.org.
This is Denago’s first mini documentary, and it won’t be our last. The support of Denago owners around the world is what lets us give more back to the communities we care about. If you or your community has a story the world should hear, write to us at marketing@denagoev.com.
