Mario Ramirez: Humanimal of Farm Sanctuary

A son of Queens, NY, and longtime Long Island resident, Mario Ramirez ran his own moving business ... until the fateful day he moved to the Finger Lakes region. Ready to retire away from the city, he happened to find his new home a mere mile from Farm Sanctuary, and when he got antsy to get outdoors and work again, he showed up at our door.

Within a year, Mario took on the oversight of all barn cleaning, and within two years all groundskeeping and now maintenance of the Watkins Glen Shelter. And like everything that Mario does — it is done with passion and love. If you have ever been to our New York location, you will have seen all the care he and his team put into their work.  

As for his eating habits, Mario came in a carnivore and has come out a vegan (like March — in like a lion/out like a lamb). His going veg can be credited to Terrin pig — at the time a piglet that Mario picked up after she fell off a truck who quickly became his favorite animal at our New York Shelter. This event happened eight months into the job. And three years ago Mario went fully vegan after watching the Steve-O video “What Came Before,” created with Farm Sanctuary. I think he needed another heavily tattooed guy to push him over the veg edge. And he has not looked back!  

Mario is a true leader, and his staff is the most dedicated, hardworking group of humans you will ever meet. He and his team will come in day or night for any animal emergency, from a downed cow to an emergency rescue hours away. The majority of his staff have been with him for years because of who he is. He is an authentic, honest, straightforward guy and has a passion for this work, which makes following him very easy to do! There is nothing he wouldn’t do for the people and animals in his world, and that loyalty goes both ways. 

Mario admits that when he first came to Farm Sanctuary, he had a few anger issues and was not known to allow photos or smile when in one — but the animals took care of that in short order, as did the people who immediately fell in love with this incredible guy. He has no problem shedding a tear over our animal family when someone is hurt or passes — and he’s the poster child for Real Men are Kind to Animals.  Again — everything is done with a passion!

As for hobbies, Mario is an organic vegetable farmer and grows the most amazing, delicious food. He’s also a tattoo artist; look closely at the pictures. The ink continues to take over as the years go by! Mario also is a lover of dogs and he and his wife have five furry children sharing their home. He rescued a beautiful pit bull named Buster who was dumped at the shelter years ago. 

And Mario is a hugger — ask anyone who knows him.  If you need a hug, he’s the guy to give it. From the staff at Cornell when he drops off a patient and members he gets to know on tours to the UPS guy and of course staff... we rely on those hugs to make the day feel okay —  even when the day may not be.

For eleven amazing years Mario has been such a huge part of the Watkins Glen Shelter and life here without him is just unimaginable.