Very few laws protect farmed animals; in fact, most states expressly exempt them from many legal protections.

Farmed animals account for over 95% of all animal suffering in the US, yet the majority of animal protection organizations focus on companion animals.

Porchlight is a permanent home for previously farmed animals, where they live in peace and safety, and are given the individualized care and compassion that they deserve. We’re working to challenge the culture of animal abuse and exploitation and to improve the accessibility of an animal-friendly lifestyle. We want our visitors to leave the sanctuary knowing why farmed animals are worthy of protection. Through our programs, we inspire others to create change that will benefit animals, people, and the planet!

We are located on a beautiful 15-acre property in Louisa County, right between Richmond and Charlottesville, Virginia.

Our Mission

Saving the lives of animals by providing sanctuary and inspiring compassionate action through education and outreach.

OUR Vision

A compassionate world where all animals are recognized as unique individuals, free from exploitation.

OUR Values

Liberation: While we understand that humans and non-human animals vary in complexity, we recognize that every sentient being is capable of experiencing pain and pleasure, and should be entitled to a basic set of rights including the right to freedom from exploitation.

Social Justice: Our activism extends beyond issues affecting farmed animals and we will align ourselves with other social justice movements focused on ending all forms of oppression and exploitation. We will not tolerate racism, sexism, homophobia, transantagonism, ableism, xenophobia, or classism. We also recognize the presence of food deserts in our community and will be sensitive to issues of food access while promoting veganism and working to improve access to healthful foods for all.

Education and Empowerment: Through innovative educational programs, we seek to empower our community to make choices that foster compassion for all animals. We believe that most people share a common set of values that align with veganism. We are committed to creating transformative experiences that promote a vegan lifestyle and expose the realities of animal exploitation.

Quality of Care: Our top priorities are the health, happiness, and comfort of the animals in our care. We recognize that we cannot save every animal in need and will not sacrifice the quality of life for our sanctuary residents in order to accommodate more animals than we can reasonably care for.

Focus on Farmed Animals: Our efforts are focused on farmed animals because they are the least respected and least protected class of animals in our society. By focusing on this group, we hope to ultimately bring about fundamental change for all animals. While our sanctuary may also include some animals that are not traditionally raised for food, the majority of animals in our care will come from farmed backgrounds.

Respect: Respect for all beings is the foundation of our mission. We will maintain a non-judgmental and supportive environment where everyone is treated with honesty and respect, regardless of differing viewpoints. As caretakers, we will respect the individual needs of the animals in our care.

Inclusivity: We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive community for individuals of various backgrounds, beliefs and cultures and will strive to make a vegan lifestyle more accessible to all. We are committed to creating and maintaining a board, staff, and volunteer community of diverse, talented individuals.

Stewardship: We will be responsible stewards of the financial resources provided to further our mission. Our donors can expect honesty and transparency in everything we do. We are committed to evaluating the outcomes of our programs and revising our approach to create the greatest impact.

Integrity: We will uphold the ethical standards established by our mission and values.