Alida Labia has volunteered at Animal Place since 2012, after helping with our Turlock hen rescue, and she is a delight to everyone, animals and humans alike. Read Alida’s Q&A below.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Cape Town, South Africa, into the era of the apartheid regime. I had a very privileged upbringing. We moved to England when I was little, as my father was wary of the unrest in South Africa. I ended up here as my sister married an American. I came over to be her nanny after deciding to retire from being an actress. Sometimes, I wish I had stayed, but I am grateful that this journey brought me to Animal Place. The awareness this has given me to fight for a kind world for our farmed animal friends, and to see them not as faceless commodities, to convey that by knowing these animals as individuals with a desire to live and make their own choices.
How did you find out about Animal Place?
I was involved with Farm Sanctuary, and they sent out a notice about egg farmers abandoning 50,000 hens and leaving them without food or water. Animal Place rescued thousands and needed help with health checks. So I volunteered.
That experience of tending to these fragile, abused birds, giving them love and all the care they needed, being shown by loving, dedicated caregivers what to do, and then the best moment: watching them feel the sun on their feathers, fresh food and water, making new friends, dust bathing, and thriving after their horrible situation in the past. That’s what keeps me coming back!
Tell us about your life outside of Animal Place. What do you do for fun?
A lot of my life is Animal Place, but I enjoy dancing, swimming, walking with flowers and being in nature, and spending time with my partner, Vera, a one-eyed Chihuahua mix rescued off the streets of Puerto Peñasco by Compassion Without Borders. I also table for farmed animals at events, which can be frustrating and joyful. Our group is called High Sierra Vegans.
What’s your most memorable experience at Animal Place?
I spent time with the SoCal 5 recently, watching these beautiful grown-up cows and remembering bottle feeding them when they were rescued, these tiny calves, some very frail and ill, and seeing them now in their pasture, their enduring friendship with each other. I always try and tell people about the socializing I do with the residents, to try and make or enlighten them to understand that animals thrive on everything we do! Love, friendship, peace, safety, freedom and playing. And a bit of mischief thrown in!
I have had and continue to have many experiences with Animal Place. I’ve been involved in rescues, health checks, barn cleaning, rehabilitation – which brings me to Pepe the rooster. He was told he wouldn’t walk. He had been able to, but suddenly lost the ability. Caregivers built him a sling to prop him up to encourage his legs to stretch. I really wanted to help, so I spent many hours massaging his legs, gently standing him up and eventually he did! What a moment of excitement. He had found his feet and his naughtiness, galivanting all over the place. He was introduced to some chicken friends and never looked back, not even at me. I thought he would run into my arms when I went to visit him, or I fantasised that he would, but he ignored me! I tried not to take it personally. Pepe had his life back.
I was also chased by Jellybean Donkey when she was living with the goats when first rescued. I’ve never run so fast, but that’s another story.
Who is your favorite animal resident?
I have many favourite animal residents. Juniper Turkey, who I’ve known since she was a baby, is turning 10 this year (note: Juniper’s passing occurred after this interview was conducted). I’m mad about the Oregon 5 pigs, who I have also known since they were rescued as piglets. One of my greatest joys is hanging out with them at their pool and mud bath, their pig spa. Watching them in the moment, immersing, rolling, grunting with pleasure and then relaxing as only pigs can do, they have made it into an art form, and I try to learn from them.
Anything else you want readers to know?
Meeting and becoming friends with Kim Sturla has really impacted my life, her passion, resilience and vision.
Getting to know all of the staff at Animal Pace in the office and caregivers – their dedication and endless work and education, all so vital for our animal friends. They really need us, Animal Place offers hope, education, showing the world who these amazing animals are, and my dream is one day they are never abused, caged, eaten, exploited, that their milk not be stolen and their babies taken away, and that they have animal rights.
“We need peace so badly, we do have choices, and we can implement change by starting with peace on our plates.” – Alida Labia
Animal Place reciprocates Alida’s feelings. Here’s what Animal Care Director Meg Aston had to say: “Alida is truly one of the kindest and also most genuine humans I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. She has been a long-time volunteer and supporter of Animal Place, and she truly has come through to support us in our greatest times of need. But while Alida is one of the greatest animal socializers and loves to spend extra time with the residents who are most in need, whether due to medical issues or being new/shy/unsure, she is also such an advocate for the humans who work here at Animal Place. Alida brings snacks for the Animal Care team every time she visits; she checks in with Animal Place staff and genuinely wants to know how they are doing and feeling and whether they need anything. Sometimes, it is easier to gravitate to just the animal residents, but Alida is a shining example of someone who has compassion for all and sees the beauty in all of her relationships, both human and non-human.”
Want to become an animal socializer like Alida? Sign up to volunteer here: https://animal-place.vomo.org/org/animal-place
