Ruby was transferred to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria by our rescue partners in West Virginia, Potomac Highlands Animal Rescue (PHAR). The young broiler hen was found on the side of the road after falling off a truck on its way to a rendering plant. Rendering plants are where “waste materials” from slaughtered animals are processed into products like lard, tallow, and bone meal. Ruby was in poor shape: She was dirty and her body had sores that told the tale of her difficult life.

Thanks to her indomitable will to survive, this tough bird is getting something many animals raised for food never get: A chance to live a happy, peaceful life, free of suffering.

Dirty Paw Photography came in for a scheduled photo shoot to spotlight our adoptable animals, and took incredible photos of Ruby. She also notified her friend Malia Wolfer, who has a farm with many animals, and Malia was to meet and adopt Ruby. Ruby is set to go home on Saturday, March 5, 2016, where she will live as a pet on a farm alongside many other animals (including a donkey named Burrito.)

Photos by Dirty Paw Photography:

Read more about farm animal welfare at The Humane Society of the United States.