ANIMALS
Get to know our survivors
Discover the story and the photos of the animals we help.
If any of their stories particularly moves you, contact us to offer your sponsorship ! Please note that the animals at the sanctuary are not for adoption, but we do receive requests every week for individuals who are looking for families. If you would like to offer yourself as an adopter, please email us at info@asso-coexister.ch!
The look on Gila's face changed everyone's heart as soon as she arrived at the sanctuary. Formerly a breeding mother in an animal testing laboratory, she was able to escape the slaughterhouse thanks to a magnificent chain of solidarity. At 2.5 years old, suffering from a heavy body and atrophied muscles, it will take time for her to become comfortable in her mobility. Her extreme gentleness, trust and unconditional kindness are overwhelming to say the least. Despite her traumatic past and bruised body, Gila is cheerful, communicative and particularly resilient.
Fortuna arrived at the sanctuary with her hind feet ulcerated and unable to walk. Under normal circumstances, she would have been sent to slaughter by her breeder. After being exploited for her milk for almost 10 years and seeing all her calves slaughtered, her fate was sealed. However, she ended up with us, after her farmer decided to spare her and, at the same time, start a retraining programme. As soon as she arrived, we set up a whole network of specific treatments to help this beautiful cow recover. In just a few days, her condition improved dramatically, although her full recovery will take time.
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Fortuna is absolutely gentle, courageous and particularly cooperative with the daily care we have to provide. She is a true example of resilience and has touched the hearts of everyone who has had the chance to look into her eyes!
Gerard, the sanctuary's daddy pig, is an unlikely character. As grumpy as he is playful, as affectionate as he is temperamental, he makes us laugh daily. While he was very suspicious when he arrived, he has become our great friend. He should have ended up as a sausage, but now he gallops happily around the sanctuary grounds. What makes him special? He knows how to respect his private space, and charges strangers to his family without hesitation if they get too close to his nest. Beware if you don't respect him because Gerard is particularly vindictive! His clannish nature makes him a unique and endearing character.
Fearful and shy on arrival, Alydhan needed time to learn to trust. Once he understood that we would never let anyone hurt him again, he came closer to us with infinite gentleness. His gaze pierced our hearts, as did his infinite tenderness. Fortunately, he did not end up on the plates of the Easter tables either. At his own pace, he also discovered that another world than the one of exploitation and domination is possible. That tenderness and benevolence are the foundations of the Co&xister sanctuary.
A beautiful Hérens cow, Maya was intended for slaughter, while her former breeder did not want to take back any more animals to exploit. Maya marks a turning point not only for the sanctuary, but also for Stéphane who, thanks to this choice, stops breeding and accepts from now on to follow his heart rather than the output. She represents the result of the opening of the heart of a man who could have kept his emotions silent to continue to exploit other animals. Maya is 7 years old; she is majestic, determined, very intelligent and affectionate. She knows what she wants, while remaining gentle and confident.​
Yazus is part of the transition of a farmer who recently decided to phase out animal exploitation. In addition to accompanying him in his transition, we have therefore helped many of the animals find families, in order to avoid the butchery that was planned for them. Yazus came spontaneously to stick to Virginia on his first visit to this farm. Kind, very affectionate and particularly close to humans, he landed at the sanctuary like an angel. What should have been considered a "waste product of the dairy industry" has become someone, with a unique personality and name!
You would think there was a halo around her little angelic face. Khamti's purity is overwhelming to anyone who crosses his path. He should have been one of the lambs sacrificed as part of the Easter religious celebrations. But a well-meaning family negotiated his fate with the breeder. Thus, he, Alydhan and Miana were able to escape this fate and land at Co&xister. Khamti was from the beginning the most curious of the contact with us, and quickly understood the happiness that could be given by affection and tenderness given by human hands whose only intentions are those of benevolence and respect. His look and his affection deeply move the hearts of the people who meet him!
"Aïni" means "love you" in Chinese. And it is because she is a love heart on legs, and that we love her so much, that she bears this sweet name. But it is also because her story is directly linked to a breeder's daughter, who went to China to study Mandarin for a year. This same farmer's daughter who managed to convince her father to spare a calf from his dairy farm. Aïni should have been fattened up for a few months before being sent to the slaughterhouse. And it is an immeasurable joy to see her evolve in the sanctuary, in a cocoon of softness! Her affectionate, playful and trusting personality makes her a pillar of the family, who is loved by everyone and all species.
Eowyn, a little angel with the body of a disabled sow, is a real ray of sunshine. She smiles with sincerity and has kept a child's soul. In spite of her rear end being partially paralyzed following a blow she received as a child, she moves with enthusiasm and is full of joy. Neglected for a long time, she needed regular care to support her mobility. But a real breakthrough came for her, and she learned to walk on her 4 legs again, with a lot of pride!
Elyan was born without eyes in the streets of Qatar and is therefore completely blind. Exemplary, he radiates a real serenity in his daily life. Affectionate, curious and joyful, Elyan is a real ray of sunshine who knows how to bring us back to the present moment, to slowness and tenderness when he feels that we are too scattered. It is not for nothing that he is called "the little Buddha" of the sanctuary!
Barbouille's fate was decided in a matter of minutes. Just as the human in charge of her had decided to send her to the slaughterhouse because she was not carrying a calf, he crossed paths with Virginia. With a few exchanges, he quickly agreed to spare her and let her arrive at the sanctuary. Barbouille is a magnificent Hérens cross Highland cow, who has acclimatised to the Co&xister family as if she had always been part of it! Sweet, affectionate and lively, she has found her place with great ease.
Petit Jean is one of our pig babies, who arrived at the side of his parents and brothers after barely escaping the butcher shop. He's cute, playful and especially smart. For example, he comes to ask for vegetables when we cut them, while leaning upright, delicately on our legs. Its particularity is that it is a peacemaker of relations between pigs. When a new congener arrives, he will regularly give him kisses and encourage him to join the family!
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Found on the streets of Qatar with her four puppies, Meli has become a protective and determined matriarch. Underneath her sweetness and affection, she can be reactive at times, conditioned by her defence mechanisms developed on the streets. When she is fully trusted, she is a real ball of love. In short, Meli is the guardian of the place, ready to do anything to defend her family, all species included. Her keen intelligence makes her a formidable ally for all the inhabitants of the sanctuary!
Monoké, a 6 year old sow, came to the sanctuary after a long history of neglect that led her to develop a front leg disability. Never-cut hooves and morbidly overweight forced her to adopt an elbow gait, developing painful osteoarthritis. After losing a lot of weight and having her hooves trimmed regularly since then, she has regained impressive mobility! She is now trotting happily!
Ondée, also known as "Maman Ondée", is a young sow who has already seen a lot. After having narrowly escaped the slaughter alongside her little family, she landed with us, several weeks pregnant. Very fearful at first, she has since offered us unconditional trust. We were able to accompany her with a lot of love and gratitude during her birth, during which she was so courageous. As a protective mother, she also knows how to scare away animals that come too close to her offspring. What makes her special? Her way of harassing us by running after us when she is in heat. A real sketch!
Bhutsy is the very symbol of the ravages of animal husbandry on sentient beings. Born in a typical farm, he grew up for 4 months locked up with dozens of other pigs, breathing in a foul smell. Fate would have it that he did not go to slaughter, as he was considered "too thin" by his breeder, and therefore not profitable enough. From now on, he discovers the happiness of a bed of fresh straw, a natural soil, the sun's rays on his skin, the freedom of wide open spaces and the respectful coexistence between species. Massive and playful, he is the "enfant terrible" of the family, with his explosive temperament when it comes to food. But his trust in us also implies respect, which he devotes to us as if we were his parents. Adopted by the sanctuary's pig family, he has become a brother like any other (within a hundred kilos!).
Samsam, son of Gérard and Ondée, was an extremely timid little pig. It took him almost 4 months to learn to trust us. With a lot of patience and gratitude, we have now built a strong bond with him. He has learned to appreciate cuddles and now comes to us daily to ask for them. He is now one of the most affectionate residents of the sanctuary. As a loyal and protective brother, he is keen to play his part in the family. With his brothers and sisters of all species, and with us, Samsam is a love on legs, who knows how to give as well as receive!
Jahmane was born prematurely and was unable to follow her flock and was found alone in a mountain pasture. Thanks to her lucky star, she avoided many dangers before landing at the sanctuary, to the delight of all of us, and her own! Jahmane is an angel who fell from the sky and now gallops, plays, comforts and soothes with the Co&xister family. And more particularly, with her adopted big sister, the calf Aïni, with whom she spends most of her time. Seeing these two orphans find comfort in each other is overwhelming. And all the love that emanates from this sweet duo soothes the pain that their fellow creatures suffer by never having the opportunity to be heard.
Cilli is a 16 year old granny pig, who after living all her life with a family, risked "comfort" euthanasia. Her family had to move and did not want to take her to a new home. She came to us fearful, and through fear, could even attack and bite. It took her a few weeks to integrate with the other pigs and to trust us. She now enjoys contact with us so much that she sings with such a unique voice when she hears us approaching in the early morning. In a few months, she has gone from being a "bitter granny" to a gentle and wise grandmother. She has kept her character with her fellow creatures and with humans who do not immediately understand her limitations, but her resilience is admirable!
Miouk is a young pig who, after living in a cultural squat with his brother Maro, had to urgently find a home, at the risk of ending up euthanized. Traumatized by the violent evacuation of the squat by the police, he has kept his distance from humans ever since. He only allows a few humans to approach him and cuddle him. Relations with other pigs have always been complicated too. For the well-being of all, they both live with his brother for several months alone on a part of the land. To their great happiness. As what to coexist, it is also and especially, to know how to respect the needs and the limits of each one, and to adapt to it!
Maro, Miouk's brother, also escaped euthanasia, following the violent evacuation of the cultural squat in which he was living alongside other animals and humans. He is reckless, curious, very greedy, and has a sharp mind. As a loyal and protective brother, he lives with Miouk. Together they live a life of serenity and freedom that they so badly needed. Initially just as distant and fearful of humans as his brother, he has suddenly developed a disturbing trust and tenderness towards us. Nearly a year after his arrival, he came to us for cuddles. Since then, he has been asking for more! Time, freedom to be who he is without constraint and trust allowed him to come closer to us when he felt it was the right time for him. It was a real surprise, both for him and for us!
Naos was lucky enough to be born in the sanctuary. He has not known any form of exploitation! Very quick-witted, autonomous, sensitive and extremely affectionate, he loves to play with his big brothers and to receive scratches from us. More than that, he is totally addicted to cuddles, which he regularly begs for. But as well as being a real little star in the Co&xister family, he is particularly gentle and loving with rabbits and cats, which he cares for so gently! Naos is a heart on legs, for everyone.
Alcor is very sweet, very cuddly and communicative. He, too, was lucky enough to be born in the sanctuary. He is always wagging his tail and shows an impressive joie de vivre. Alcor is extremely friendly, both with his fellow dogs and with other species. As an endearing little brother, he is appreciated by all. He is a sweet and happy little angel who shines at the sanctuary every day.
Nimoh has carried the name "Flocon" all his life. After having lived in other places before, he came to us at the age of 5 because of a tough disagreement with the other rabbits of his last family. Discreet and very independent, Nimoh has taken control of his destiny and now lives a life of complete freedom at the sanctuary. He decides his daily life with determination, and we are so happy to be able to allow him to do so!
A little ewe lamb that should have been sacrificed at Easter, Miana was able to escape this fate, to discover a gentle life at the Co&xister sanctuary alongside her brothers. She is tender, sometimes shy, but curious. Miana doesn't trust everyone, but when she does, she becomes a real ball of affection, coming up to them gently to ask for hugs, and then never letting go. Like her brothers, she had her tail cut off and was forcibly separated from her mother. A rough start in life. We won't fix that. But we will do everything to ensure that she and her brothers live the happiest and most beautiful life possible!
Adil lived for more than two years in a small hutch, without the possibility of moving freely. Initially intended for the butchery, he thus escaped his fate and a life of frustration. Now he has the chance to finally enjoy a daily life of freedom and fulfilment at the sanctuary, having the opportunity to finally be who he is: a gentle, curious and endearing being!
Myhrï, a 13 year old cat who used to live with the neighbours of the sanctuary, has been living with us for several months. She decided of her own accord to live with the rabbits and pigs, with whom she shares the straw nests! Particularly affectionate, she is literally addicted to cuddles. She loves not only all the humans she meets, but also animals of all other species. Myhrï is a heart on legs! (Except with mice and other cats...)
Daughter of Maya, Hippie is 2 years old. Her former breeder had already signed the sale contract with the butcher's shop when he couldn't face himself with this decision. So he asked us if we could take in her and her mother, so that they could stay together. And of course we agreed! Hippie spent the first years of her life hiding behind her mother, avoiding contact with humans. But it only took her a few months to learn to trust us, so much so that now she is the one who comes to ask for scratches, which she welcomes by dancing!
Osha is a particularly sensitive and introverted young ewe. She should have been part of a group of sheep that were going to be slaughtered two years ago... But her destiny crossed that of Stéphane Baud, a former breeder whom we accompanied in his transition. Two years ago, he started to follow his heart rather than his habits. Thanks to a series of encounters, Osha is now part of the Co&xister family alongside her sister Lia!
Lia, Osha's sister, should also have gone to the butcher's two years ago, but she crossed paths with Stéphane Baud, a former breeder who had been converted, and who enabled her to avoid this fate. Gentle and determined, she arrived at the sanctuary and immediately won the heart of Khamti, leader of the sheep clan. Every day, she integrates herself with all the others, with calmness and confidence. Welcome to her!
Her blue and brown eyes speak volumes about her traumatic past. Root, Gila's sister who came to the sanctuary three months before her, was a breeding sow for an animal testing laboratory. She spent her life on concrete and in a confined space, giving birth to piglets that were systematically taken away from her to be used in experiments. When she should have been sent to the slaughterhouse, she was blessed with a miracle and a rebirth when she arrived at the sanctuary. Her genetically damaged body and living conditions make it difficult for her to move. But her new space, regular care, time, trust and proper nutrition are already helping her regain her strength. Root is surprisingly gentle, and despite the trauma she carries with her, is quickly learning to trust. Now she is "someone" and can learn to live her life as a mother with little Arkana, the last and only one of her offspring with whom she has the chance to continue living.
Arkana should have been one of Root's piglets, left for medical experiments. But fate had other plans. So she lives with her mother, now inseparable and flourishing together. Arkana is a very sociable, curious, playful and affectionate dog. She was lucky enough not to be experimented on and landed quickly at the sanctuary. From the age of 2 months, she blossomed in this environment of kindness and love!
Cosmique was born to be fattened and butchered, just like his twin Bercosma. That was the theory. The breeder who was responsible for them decided otherwise, and took the initiative to contact me to help her find adoption solutions for these two calves. With a few phone calls, I found a Swiss-German sanctuary that could take them in. An appointment was made to take them there. And that's when Cosmique became seriously ill. The breeder together with a vet helped him to recover, little by little. But every time we planned to take them to this sanctuary, Cosmique's health relapsed. It was then that he whispered to me in a dream that he wanted to come to Co&xister and not elsewhere. So I revised my plans and proposed a date for these two brothers to come to the shrine. Since then, his health has stabilised! Cosmique is now part of the Co&xister family, much to everyone's delight.
Bercosma, Cosmique's twin brother, should also have been fattened up and slaughtered for his meat. His breeder acted as a lucky star and he and Cosmique set off for the Co&xister sanctuary. Bercosma is very cuddly, curious and quick-witted. He acts as a protector for his more vulnerable brother. The tenderness in his eyes says it all. Born from a Hérens mother and a Limousin sire, Bercosma could well be the adopted son of Maya, the herd leader, of the same crossbreed, with whom he shares a similar history!
Pema is an adorable rabbit who is calm, sociable and cuddly. A dreamer, he is not afraid of anyone and exudes a real gentleness. Previously kept in a tiny cage in a shed with no natural light, he was able to discover life in the open air, grass and sunshine when he arrived at the sanctuary. He has serious teeth problems as a result of the conditions in which he was kept and fed, but this is now being taken care of.
Oscar is a lamb who should have been sent to the slaughterhouse after being brutally separated from his family. A couple, touched by his story, negotiated with the breeder to be able to spare him and find him a family. He arrived at the sanctuary and was gently integrated into our clan of sheep. Oscar is gentle, playful and reckless all at the same time, very quick-witted and curious.