We don’t often think of cows as animals that love cuddles, like dogs.
When we think of cows, we usually think of big farms and where we get our milk. Most people also don’t think cows need rescuing.
However, an organization in Brazil is turning these ideas upside down.
The Amor Que Salva Santuario‘s goal is to rescue animals who are victims of exploitation in the meat, milk, and egg industry. It is run by a family that became vegan in 2017.
In the US alone, 33 million cattle are killed commercially and in farms in a year.
Since then, the family has made it their mission to care for animals needing help. The sanctuary officially began in March 2020 when they rescued four mistreated pigs from a slaughterhouse.
One of these rescued animals is Francisco, a large Angus cow. Unlike the typical idea of how a cow should act, Francisco acts like a “one-ton baby.”
Male Angus cows weigh an average of 1,870 pounds.
Francisco was saved from a dairy farm right before he was going to be sent to a slaughterhouse. The sanctuary bought him for R$200, or approximately $38.
When he first arrived, he was nervous around humans, but Francisco began warming up to his new owners soon after.
“Francisco always wants attention, and he’s good at getting it,” his rescue mom Luiza shared.
He even pushes other animals away that are already with Luiza to get her attention.
He loves getting kisses and demands cuddles from Luiza. Francisco even lies beside her, more like a dog than a cow.
His playful personality came out when his new owners introduced Francisco to toys.
You can see him in the video playing with a large ball and a stuffed animal, and even scratching his head with a rake.
Luiza said that seeing him running freely in the field for the first time in his life was one of the happiest moments ever.
Francisco used to get very jealous of other animals until the sanctuary rescued Martin, a piglet they saved from the meat industry. When they got him, his legs were broken from being stepped on by older pigs.
From the first time Francisco met Martin, he was very gentle with him.
He knew he was a special baby piglet, and it seemed like Francisco wanted to help him walk.
Martin also demanded attention from Luiza, similar to Francisco. Eventually, both animals learned to share Luiza and her love.
“They learned that when it comes to cuddles, the more, the merrier,” Luiza said.
Today, Francisco cuddles with all the other animals in the sanctuary. He is also extra gentle with the baby animals, but Luiza remains honored to be his favorite.
Francisco’s heartwarming video has been viewed over 50 million times.
“All animals are so awesome, it shows they are so loving and kind,” one netizen commented.
Another comment said, “It’s beautiful how these wonderful animals react to human touch and love. They are just as capable for loving as humans.”
We completely agree with them! Francisco and the rest of the animals at Amor Que Salva Santuario show us that all animals are worthy of our love and affection.
If you would like to help this amazing sanctuary and adopt an animal, please visit their website here.
Watch the video of gentle giant Angus cow Francisco ask for cuddles below!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
