In the United States, over nine billion land animals are raised and killed for food each year. For a small fraction of them, sanctuary offers a second chance at life. Austin Farm Sanctuary, founded by Christopher Fuller-Wigg and his wife Angela, is one such refuge, a thriving home for more than 240 rescued residents on 95 acres in Cedar Creek, Texas.
From a Pair of Goats to a Life’s Mission
Chris’s path to sanctuary life began in 2016, when a colleague told him about two goats in need, Cookie and her daughter Bertha, no longer wanted by a goat dairy. Just a week earlier, Chris and Angela had purchased a half-acre property in South Austin. Already vegan and passionate about animals, they opened their gates to the goats.
A few months later, they received a call about Doya, a pig facing slaughter in an FFA program. Taking him in was the turning point. “It really changed everything,” Chris recalls. “We realized our activism could be actively helping animals.” That simple act of compassion planted the seeds for what would grow into a thriving sanctuary.
A Philosophy of Sanctuary
For Chris, the sanctuary is more than a physical space, it’s a vision for the world. “It’s a reflection of what we want the world to be,” he explains. “A window into a brighter future.” Residents find safety, care, and companionship, but also the freedom to heal on their own terms. Some, like Licorice the pig, remain wary of human touch even after years of care, yet thrive within their animal community.
The sanctuary’s approach centers on respect, allowing each animal to set their own boundaries. “Our goal is not for them to be cuddly,” Chris says. “It’s for them to find comfort and family.”
Growth Without Losing Heart
From that first half-acre, Austin Farm Sanctuary expanded to 95 acres and 240 residents, not through ambition for size, but through love for each individual. “We never had scaling in mind,”
Chris notes. “It was for Cookie, then for Doya, then for Miss Piggy.” This mindset has kept the mission grounded, with growth guided by capacity, resources, and the wellbeing of both animals and caregivers.
Today, the sanctuary operates with five staff members, a dedicated volunteer base, and a strong local and online community. Events like Doya Palooza, held in honor of their beloved pig Doya, celebrate both animal residents and the compassionate people who support them.
Reaching Beyond the Fence
Education is central to the sanctuary’s work. Visitors walk a perimeter path, meeting animals only if the residents choose to interact. Informational signage and guided tours share the stories of individuals like Buddy the blind goat or Pax the calf rescued from the dairy industry.
During the pandemic, Austin Farm Sanctuary launched virtual tours to reach supporters worldwide, including corporate wellness events that surprised participants with heartfelt stories behind the faces on screen. The sanctuary also partners with LEAP (Leaders in Ethics, Animals, and the Planet) to offer youth programs that teach compassion, sustainability, and ethical decision-making.
Sustaining the Mission
Financial sustainability is a cornerstone of the sanctuary’s success. Monthly donors provide a reliable foundation, while events, resident sponsorships, and creative fundraisers, such as silent auctions, help meet ongoing needs. Chris emphasizes careful consideration before taking in new residents: “If the residents are going to live for 20 years, we have to make sure the sanctuary is built to last 50.”
This approach also extends to staff wellbeing. Sanctuary work can be emotionally and physically demanding, especially in Texas heat, so protecting the health and morale of caregivers is a priority.
Looking Ahead
While land expansion is possible, Chris’s current dream focuses on amplifying the sanctuary’s voice far beyond Texas. “Our mission is not to save a couple hundred animals,” he says. “We’re focused on the billions.” By growing educational programs and storytelling outreach, he hopes to inspire change for animals everywhere.
For Chris, the heart of Austin Farm Sanctuary is simple: one life at a time, guided by compassion. “If your heart guides your feet,” he reflects, “you won’t find yourself stumbling.”
Learn more and meet the residents at austinfarmsanctuary.org
Episode Highlights
0:00] Introduction
[02:00] Consultant by day, sanctuary founder by day and night.
[04:30] Chris’ sanctuary philosophy.
[07:30] Healing is on the animals’ schedule, not ours.
[11:00] Celebrations of accomplishments creates a strong community.
[18:00] From 5 acres to 95 through serendipitous events.
[25:00] Children’s involvement through education.
[27:45] Fundraising strategies that work.
[31:00] Sanctuaries sometimes have to say no to another resident.
[34:00] The loss of a resident is heartbreaking.
About Chris Fuller-Wigg
Chris Fuller-Wigg is the co-founder and executive director of Austin Farm Sanctuary (AFS), a haven where rescued animals live in safety and peace. Since its humble beginnings in 2016, Chris has served as the guiding force behind AFS, leading daily operations, public outreach, and long-term strategic planning—all while serving as a visible and compassionate voice for the sanctuary’s animal residents.
Chris’s journey began in South Austin when he and his partner Angela purchased their first home and welcomed two rescued goats, Bertha and Cookie. Soon after, a pig named Doya joined the family, igniting the vision that would become Austin Farm Sanctuary. Officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2017, the sanctuary quickly grew, requiring a move to five acres of land and eventually to a 40-acre property in Paige, Texas, to accommodate their expanding family of rescued animals.
Under Chris’s leadership, AFS has rescued and rehabilitated more than 85 animals, from piglets and ducklings to calves and goats. The sanctuary has been featured in national media, including NBC’s 1stLookTV, That Animal Rescue Show on CBS All Access, and Dr. Phil. Beyond rescue, Chris has expanded AFS’s impact through educational programs like Leaders for the Environment (LEAP), building a movement rooted in compassion, sustainability, and animal welfare.
In 2024, AFS reached a new milestone with the rescue of its first water buffalo and an increase in cross-country missions, demonstrating the sanctuary’s growing influence in the broader animal protection community. Chris remains deeply committed to creating a world where animals are seen, heard, and loved—just as they are at AFS.
Learn more at https://www.austinfarmsanctuary.org“>AustinFarmSanctuary.org and consider joining the Farmily of monthly sustainers who help fuel this life-saving work.
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. 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.
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