At just five years old, Juliana Castañeda made a decision that would shape the rest of her life. When she realized the burger on her plate came from a cow, not a tree, something clicked. She stopped eating animals that day. No debate. No hesitation. Just clarity.
That clarity turned into a vision.
A Childhood Dream That Became Reality
By the time she was eleven, Juliana knew she wanted to create a place where animals could live free from harm. Years later, she brought that vision to life by founding Colombia’s first farm animal sanctuary.
Today, Juliana’s Animal Sanctuary is home to nearly 200 rescued animals, with more than 2,300 lives saved over the years. What began as a childhood idea has grown into a powerful force for change, not only for animals, but for people.
Rescue Is Not Enough
Juliana is clear about something many don’t want to face. Sanctuaries alone cannot solve the problem.
No matter how much land, funding, or effort goes into rescue, the system continues producing animals for consumption. The scale is simply too large.
That’s why Juliana has made education the cornerstone of her work.
Education as the Only Real Solution
Through strong educational programs, Juliana reaches children and families across Colombia. When people visit the sanctuary, something shifts. They begin to see animals not as products, but as individuals.
She has witnessed entire families change their habits after a single visit.
Her belief is simple. If people understand, they will choose differently.
Bringing Science Into the Conversation
With two degrees in physical sciences, Juliana approaches advocacy in a way that resonates beyond emotion. She speaks with evidence, logic, and clarity, helping people connect the dots in a way that builds trust.
This has also opened doors at a national level, where she now serves in a government role that includes animals in conversations about peace, reconciliation, and human rights. A historic step forward.
Raising a Child Without Species Barriers
One of the most powerful insights from this conversation comes from Juliana’s experience raising her son at the sanctuary.
She didn’t sit him down to explain veganism. She didn’t teach him how to think about animals.
He simply grew up seeing them as equals.
For him, a pig is no different than a person. There is no hierarchy. No separation. Just living beings sharing space.
It’s a powerful reminder that compassion is not something we have to learn. It’s something we are born with.
A Future Still Being Written
After more than 20 years of advocacy, Juliana remains hopeful. She has seen change firsthand, from a time when veganism was virtually unknown in her country to today, where plant-based options and awareness continue to grow.
Her vision is clear. A world where sanctuaries are no longer needed.
And while she may not see that world in her lifetime, she is doing the work to make sure the next generation will.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[01:30] The first animal sanctuary in South America.
[03:30] The burger tree did not exist.
[08:00] Certified by GFAS.
[13:00] The difficulty of raising funds in Columbia.
[19:00] First vegan Columbian cookbook is created.
[23:00] Raising a child steeped in compassion.
[28:00] Moving to “this is natural” with veganism.
About Juliana Castañeda Turner
Juliana’s journey into animal advocacy began at just five years old, when she realized that burgers didn’t come from trees but from animals. In that moment, everything shifted. She knew her life would be dedicated to protecting them.
By age eleven, Juliana had already made a decision that would shape her future. She would open a sanctuary for animals. That vision became reality in 2006, when at 24 years old, she founded Juliana’s Animal Sanctuary, the first sanctuary in her country dedicated to animals traditionally considered “farm animals.” Around that same time, she also embraced a vegan lifestyle.
For more than 20 years, Juliana has been a powerful voice against animal abuse, advocating across multiple countries and languages. She is the author of Cooking with Jaggy, the first vegan recipe book published in her country, and has received national recognition from the Colombian government, including an honorable mention and medal of honor for her work in animal protection.
Her sanctuary was named an Outstanding Farm Sanctuary by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) in 2021, further solidifying the impact of her efforts.
Juliana continues to break new ground as a government representative on the Municipal Council of Peace, Reconciliation, Coexistence, Human Rights, and International Humanitarian Law (COMUPAZDH) in Chía, Colombia. This marks the first time in history that animals have had representation within a formal peace framework in the country.
Her work extends beyond animal advocacy. Juliana serves as Vice President and Affiliate Manager at Food Yoga International, the world’s largest vegan food relief organization. She is also the Director and Co-Founder of Astronomy Beyond Borders, a nonprofit that provides free science education, including astronomy, to underserved children.
With two degrees in physical sciences, Juliana brings both intellect and compassion to everything she does. She is also a devoted mother to Bhimal, who was born at the sanctuary and is being raised with the same values of compassion and activism.
To date, Juliana has rescued and provided a safe, loving home for more than 2,300 animals. Today, over 200 animals live under her care at Juliana’s Animal Sanctuary, each one a living testament to what’s possible when compassion turns into action.
https://julianasfarm.org/
About Cheryl Moss
Cheryl Moss is the host of the Better Life for Animals podcast, where she shares uplifting stories from sanctuaries and highlights the work of vegan activists, ethical consumers, and animal welfare leaders. She is also the founder of the Funding Blueprint for Sanctuaries summit designed to empower those involved with sanctuaries sustainable funding streams.
A passionate advocate for animal welfare, she is dedicated to ending factory farming and is working to raise $100,000 for Mercy For Animals to support underrepresented sanctuaries.
Beyond podcasting, Cheryl is a banking professional and an accomplished children’s author. A graduate of Main Street Vegan Academy, she promotes plant-based living through her books, Gabriel, Cluck, and Pickle the Pig, which inspire young readers to embrace kindness, sustainability, and compassion for animals.
When not advocating, she enjoys Pilates, and spending time with her rescue dogs and grandchildren. Through her work, writing, and activism, Cheryl continues to inspire positive change for animals and the planet.
https://www.facebook.com/BLFAnimals/
https://x.com/betterlife4anim
https://www.instagram.com/betterlife4animals/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylmossabetterlifeforanimals/
