Sanctuary Tails

Caring for the Sick, Weak and Injured

 

By Susie

Farm Sanctuary’s story began with a downer named Hilda. Found discarded on a pile of dead animals at Lancaster Stockyards in Pennsylvania, Hilda was too weak to stand or walk and, crawling with flies and maggots, appeared to be dead. She had, however, only collapsed due to dehydration, and thankfully after a visit to the veterinary hospital she was able to stand up again. Hilda spent the next 11 years roaming happily at our New York Shelter until passing away peacefully in her sleep in 1997. While she is gone, her memory continues to inspire all the work we now do.

Hilda’s story was in itself shocking, but what was more alarming was that it wasn't an isolated incident: animals were constantly being left to languish in stockyard alleys. Take Maya for example. As is standard in the dairy industry, Maya was taken away from her mother the day she was born so that the milk meant for her could be brought to the market. She never saw her mom again – Farm Sanctuary’s Co-founder, Gene Baur, found her at a Pennsylvania stockyard in 1987 after she had been left for dead.

 

Maya spent 22 happy years at our New York Shelter. During her time here, she stood not only as an ambassador for suffering animals nationwide, but as a teacher and role model; despite being motherless, Maya’s maternal instinct saw her nurture and love many other rescued calves as if they were her own.

One of the animals Maya cared for was Opie. He had been abandoned at only a few hours old at a stockyard in upstate New York. A dairy industry discard, his temperature was so low that it could not even be read by a thermometer. So we placed him on IV, provided him with colostrums and bottle-fed him until he was well enough to join the other cattle. As soon as he did, Maya instantly filled the role of a protective and watchful mother, caring for him unconditionally. Eventually coming to stand six feet tall and weigh a ton-and-a-half, this steer left many visitors speechless! No one would ever have guessed his beginning as a sick, abandoned calf.

 

Through the years, we’ve rescued dozens of downed animals from stockyards, slaughterhouses and farms, discarded like rubbish and denied food, water and veterinary care. Their stories highlight the magnitude of the suffering these sick, injured or weak animals endure, and the urgency of regulatory change to prevent them from being slaughtered and entering the human food supply.

The Obama administration’s regulation last March preventing downed cattle from being slaughtered for human consumption was a step in the right direction. But the wellbeing of millions of animals depends upon this regulation being extended so that it protects all species. Just last year, we rescued Jack, who – suffering from hypothermia and a navel infection – was left to die at a sales stable in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. As a goat, Jack is one of many animals falling outside the scope of current regulatory protection.

 

Most downers are not as lucky as Maya, Opie and Jack, but by pressing the issue on the political agenda, we can help them. If you haven’t already, please urge the Obama administration to protect downed animals of all species by signing our Petition for the Pigs today. If you’ve already signed, please forward to everyone you know and ask them to do the same. The animals are counting on us to be their voice!

Animal Video of the Week: Billy

 

Little Billy had only been in the world one day, but it was to be his last. One of many male calves considered worthless by the dairy industry, he was about to receive a fatal hammer blow to the head when a compassionate man named Larry intervened. Watch our newest video to hear more about the rescue and see Billy enjoying life at the New York Shelter.

If Farm Animals Wrote Poetry ...

 
by Susie

If J.D. pig wrote a poem, it would go something like this: “I’m free! And I’m running, and I’m running, and oh, I can feel the sun on my snout. There goes a fence post! And I’m running, and running, and oh, the mud is spraying on my warm belly so cool, and wet…”

Lucky for us, Maya Gottfried gives voice to our pig friend, and many others who live or have lived at our shelters, in Our Farm: By the Animals of Farm Sanctuary, released just last week. I’ve been anxiously waiting for this book to come out ever since I knew Maya was going to write it, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy! Through Maya’s warm-hearted descriptions and Robert Rahway Zakanitch’s beautiful paintings, this sweet collection of poems and illustrations speaks to both the spirit of the animals and the nature of their home here at Farm Sanctuary where “their only job is to enjoy life and be loved.”

Maya's poems are not only about animals, but by animals – traveling their thoughts, and their stories. In “Wandering” by Clarabell goat, our sweet girl’s carefree and confident nature comes across as she explains to us: “daisies, they call to me. Trees sing my name. So I follow their invitations and go where I may.” 

Ever met Diego? Well, now’s your chance. He’s one our amazing rescued ducks – glowing with health, he is a valiant blood donor, providing help to sick ducks when they need it. Maya showcases his charm in a funny poem, where he says, “Okay! Everyone into the water. Flap, flap go our feet. Keep an eye on my tail feathers. Follow My Lead!’ Diego has always “worn the pants” in both his human-to-animal and animal-to-animal relationships, and Maya captures this perfectly.

The book also features animals who have passed away, but meant the world to me and many other people who visited the New York Shelter. One of these is Maya, who opens the book with a poem called “Wisdom.” Maya was the beloved cow we rescued from a Pennsylvania stockyard in 1987 who spent the next 22 years mothering other rescued calves here. Mayfly, an incredible rooster, is also featured. A big hit with visitors, he was famous for patiently waiting for the ladies to finish their food before starting himself, only eating what was left after they had gotten their fill. Mayfly was a true gentlemen and his poem “Ladies First” will make you smile.

The book also includes some of the sweet California Shelter residents such as Ari and Alicia goats and Whitaker calf. And not only do the animals get their own poems, but their own pictures and pages too – representative of the true individuals they all are. It’s a loving book that teaches both children and adults to be compassionate. If you’d like to check it out for yourself and support Farm Sanctuary with your purchase, you can do so here. Enjoy!

Animal Video of the Week: Gloria

 

Gloria lived at a racetrack, but she wasn’t there to run, and she didn’t. She couldn’t. Nor could she roam or graze or lounge in the grass. For the first eight years of her life, Gloria was tied up in a barn. Neglected by those responsible for her care, the helpless goat suffered from a painful udder condition that was left untreated and negatively impacted her quality of life. But when a compassionate person came to Gloria’s aid and asked Farm Sanctuary to give her refuge, the goat’s life took a dramatic turn. In this video, see Gloria’s amazing transformation – which occurred thanks to a second chance and surgery that forever changed her life. If you are moved by what you see and would like to help more animals like Gloria get the loving care they deserve and need, please consider donating to our VetCare Fund today!

Hello, I Love You

 
by Susie

It’s that magical moment. You’re at a gathering, the same old scene. You’re hanging out, maybe munching on some food, not expecting to be noticed. Then you look up, and there she is. You’ve seen her before, in passing, but something has changed. Your eyes lock across the room. You walk toward each other through the crowd. You converge. The chemistry is perfect. She’s the one. It’s love.

It’s the sheep barn at Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter. This is where a sheep named Chico and a goat named Dorothy (pictured above) fell for each other. We’ve seen our share of special bonds at the shelter. Steers Larry and Kevin have stood by each other for 16 years. Bing and Bessie, two geese, have been loyal companions for 24 years. Friendships thrive here. Free from fear, stress and deprivation, which can stifle an animal’s personality, our residents are able to express their natures and, well, follow their hearts.

As in human relationships, sometimes those hearts lead their owners in surprising directions. Though our sheep and goats get along fine with each other, we rarely see any particular interest between members of the two species. Dorothy and Chico weren’t rescued together, and they live in a herd of more than 100 sheep and goats. People who have not spent time caring for these animals have a hard time telling them apart, especially all the sheep. But Dorothy recognizes Chico from the other end of the barn. They seek each other out, and when they meet, they exchange adoring greetings by rubbing their heads against each other. They spend hours each day grooming, playing and snuggling together. We don’t know how it happened, but these two are obviously smitten.

Animal Photo of the Week: Sailor & Summer

 
Love is in the air at Farm Sanctuary! In our Animal Photo of the Week, a tender moment between loyal friends Sailor and Summer is shared – nearly resulting in the formation of a heart. Coincidence? We think not! These two happy California Shelter residents found refuge with us in 1999 after being abandoned when a child’s 4-H project came to an end. More than a decade later, their love for one another endures, proving just how deep the bonds between farm animals run. This Valentine’s Day, consider sponsoring a Farm Sanctuary animal as a gift and inspire someone special in your life with the stories our rescued residents have to share. There’s no better way to show how much you care – Sailor and Summer would surely agree! 

The Last Patriarch

by Leanne

When I first arrived at the California Shelter five years ago, there was a certain group of residents for whom everyone had a special respect and fondness: our senior goats Neptune, Rumi, Nesta, Studley, and Cheech. These majestic animals benevolently “ruled” the domestic sheep and goat herd with poise and grace. All of the younger goats, including current herd-leader Rufus, wanted to be like them, and all of our guests couldn’t wait to meet and spend time with them. Sadly, as they aged, we had to say goodbye to them one by one, until only Cheech remained. 

Cheech was rescued in 1994 by Ventura City Animal Control. He was always the least conspicuous of the goat patriarchs, not only because of his small stature and the modest size of his horns but also because of his unassuming personality. Though he was not as quick as others to ask for attention from humans, he happily played with his fellow goats, wandering the shelter’s large green pastures with the herd and running after our ATV during hay feeds.

But as time passed, taking with it Cheech’s peers, his own age began to show, and he started to experience the first stages of arthritis. When the sheep and goats had the joy of running through the barnyard as they were moved to a new barn, he would be one of the last to arrive rather than one of the first. He started to enjoy basking in a comfy, sunny spot in the pasture instead of roaming to the far corners. Pain medication eased his discomfort, but his older body could no longer keep up with the younger crowd. During these latter years, he befriended a special goat named Sprout, and the two were close companions until Sprout, too, passed away. Through all of the changes and loss, however, Cheech’s strength and dignity endured. 

 
Cheech sunbathing with Sprout.

Eventually we moved Cheech in with a group of elderly and special needs animals, so he could live in a quieter atmosphere. He seemed happy to break away from the rowdier goats and quickly settled into a new routine, which included savoring a full breakfast of fruit, vegetables, grain, and alfalfa; finding a grassy spot in the pasture and relaxing there all day; enjoying another meal before bed; then settling into a deep straw bed for the night. When we happened to be a little bit late in feeding him or letting him out to his pasture, he was sure to let us know by crying out. 

Cheech didn’t always appear too attached to the other animals in the group, but when he happened to be separated from his roommates, as when the sheep were moved to another barn to be sheared, you could tell the bond was deeper than he let on: he would cry for them and eagerly await their return. That was the thing about Cheech – he was reserved, but he had a heart of gold. If you took the time to get to know him, you would discover a loyal friend.

 
Cheech with his friend, Simone.

Sorrowfully, as time progressed, Cheech’s arthritis worsened, and the time finally came for us to part with our dear friend. During his last days, he received many visitors who sat with him, spoke to him, and fed him some of his favorite treats. Though it was really hard to lose Cheech, the last of our longtime patriarchs, I feel great joy and comfort knowing that he had 15 wonderful years at the shelter to be free and grow old in peace. His passing marks an end of an era, but he and the rest of my old departed goat friends will always remain in my heart, and will never be forgotten.