Joaquin Phoenix Rescued Cows From L.A. Slaughterhouse Less Than 48h After The Oscars

Less than 48 hours after Joaquin Phoenix received his first Oscar for the movie Joker the actor was cradling a newborn calf that he rescued from a Los Angeles slaughterhouse.

Phoenix visited the Pico Rivera facility together with his fiancee Rooney Mara and animal activists from Animal Save charity. 

Before the rescue, Phoenix had walked through the paddocks and had a respectful discussion with the boss of the slaughterhouse.

The video released by Farm Sanctuary shows the actor taking the cow, and her calf to a save place prepared by the organisation. The rescued animals were named Liberty and Indigo.

The cow gave birth in the holding area of Manning Beef. They are the fifth bovine mother and child rescued by L.A. Animal Save.

Phoenix released a statement through the activist group:

“I never thought I’d find friendship in a slaughterhouse, but meeting Anthony and opening my heart to his, I realise we might have more in common than we do differences. Without his act of kindness, Liberty and her baby calf, Indigo, would have met a terrible demise. Although we will continue to fight for the liberation of all animals who suffer in these oppressive systems, we must take pause to acknowledge and celebrate the victories, and the people who helped achieve them. Shaun Monson, Amy Jean Davis, and the entire L.A. Animal Save community have taken their pain of bearing witness and turned it into effective, diplomatic advocacy for the voiceless. As a result, Liberty and Indigo will never experience cruelty or the touch of a rough hand. My hope is, as we watch baby Indigo grow up with her mom Liberty at Farm Sanctuary, that we’ll always remember that friendships can emerge in the most unexpected places; and no matter our differences, kindness and compassion should rule everything around us.”