Sanctuary Tails

Animal Photo of the Week: Bernie

 

Over the years, we’ve witnessed the callous way the dairy industry treats newborn males, and Bernie was no exception. Born on a California dairy in 1996, this Jersey steer was abandoned as a calf at a livestock auction when he failed to sell for even a dollar. His friends Hugo, Edward, Boris, and Hank had similar stories and were only days old when they came to our California Shelter the year before. Over the last 15 years, we’ve watched these sweet boys flourish and develop into independent adults who are now some of our oldest West Coast sanctuary residents. They are the sweetest and most laidback animals you'll ever meet, and we look forward to keeping them happy and healthy for years to come.
 

Special Update on Calves Saved from Stockyard

Thanks to Farm Sanctuary members and supporters who rushed to the aid of three calves we recently rescued from a New York stockyard by generously contributing to our Emergency Rescue Fund, Alexander, Lawrence and Blitzen are now on the road to recovery. Watch the video above and read their story for a full update on these inspiring and incredibly cute little babies!

Reel Life Video Series: Episode Four

On episode four of our Sanctuary Tails blog video series, Reel Life at Farm Sanctuary, California Shelter Director Leanne Cronquist talks about hay and demonstrates how this nutritious food is distributed around the shelter. Catch a glimpse of two of our newest rescued calves, Elliot and Oliver, and see an excited herd of goats (and a few sheep) spring into action for their favorite delivery of the day.

Want to see past episodes of Reel Life? View them by clicking on the links below:

Episode One: Pasture Rotation
Episode Two: Chicken Nutrition
Episode Three: Turkey Talk

Their Only Hope: Stockyard Rescue Underscores Urgent Need for Change

 
 

By Susie

In all my years caring for rescued farm animals who have been subjected to the most severe neglect and abuse, nothing has ever prepared me for bearing witness to the dismal scenes unfolding at stockyard auctions across the U.S. At these terrible weigh stations for animals being sold by one party and purchased by another – some heading into a life of production, others to slaughter – there isn’t any compassion to be found, and suffering abounds to a staggering and immeasurable degree.

In fact, it is in these places that the realization of how farm animals are viewed by the industry – as lifeless commodities rather than feeling individuals – really sinks in. Here, there is no discrimination: Labeled with numbers and pushed and prodded into chaotic auction rings for bidding, terrified and confused animals of all ages and conditions – from tiny babies to aging adults – are all typically treated in the same callous manner until the sale is over and they go on to meet some equally miserable end.

Since Farm Sanctuary started nearly 25 years ago, we have been rescuing animals from these environments, nursing them to health, and giving them new, better lives – starting with Hilda, the now famous sheep who was lifted from a stockyard dead pile in 1986. Just last month, we rescued Riley – a very sickly and partially blind piglet – from such a place, and, most recently, I found three newborn male dairy calves on the brink of death at a large sale being held in the bitter winter cold.

On the day I discovered the calves, I watched truck after truck filled with these baby animals drive up to the auction yard. The newborns, some not even a day old yet, were visibly frenzied and could be heard bawling for their mothers. But while all I wanted to do was comfort them, their terror was only met with frustration from the workers who forcefully unloaded and moved them into holding pens by hitting them with canes.

The scene turned even grislier when I came across the poor babies who were obviously very ill. I found one – a little guy who couldn’t even stand – collapsed and left freezing in the 20 degree weather near a loading dock. The other two I would rescue that day were shoved into the auction ring when the sale began. One was so sick and weak that his legs kept buckling beneath him as workers prodded him to get him on his feet. The other, weighing only 37 pounds, was so small that the bidders made a joke of him – calling him “trash.” Treated with the same indifference as all the others, these little ones were only mocked in their distress and ultimately deemed as being worthless when they failed to sell for even $1. 

Stepping in to claim these three sweet babies when no one else would, I rushed them to safety and ensured that they immediately began receiving the emergency medical treatment they so desperately needed to have any chance of survival. If I hadn’t shown up, there is no question that these boys would have wound up in a garbage dump or the grip of a renderer, their suffering simply ignored.

 
One of the calves receiving care at the hospital.

As I write this entry, which I know is as painful to read as it was to witness the abuse firsthand, I still do not know what the fate of these three babies will be. Right now, we are asking for emergency year-end donations to help with the critical care of these fragile calves and support all of our work to protect animals like them from harm. If you can help, I ask that you please make a contribution today and forward the babies’ story on to others to consider doing the same. Together, we can pierce the darkness these animals endure every day and shine a light on their plight so it might be changed in time with each person we enlighten and each life we save. We are their only hope.

2010 Year-End Video: Rescues and Happy Endings

We are thrilled to share with you a touching new video featuring several of the incredible animals we’ve been able to rescue and rehabilitate this year thanks to member support. Watch now to see how friends like you have helped make a difference for Kim Gordon, Bob Harper, Jay, and many other farm animals in need. And, after you’ve seen how important you are to these animals, please consider a special year-end tax-deductible donation to Farm Sanctuary to help us continue our lifesaving work in the year ahead!

It Takes a Village: Saving Lives Through FAAN

 

By Susie

It takes a village to give a farm animal in need a second chance – and behind every rescue are many compassionate people working together toward the shared goal of saving lives: Good Samaritans who lend a helping hand to remove animals from deplorable situations and lead them to safety, Farm Sanctuary members who offer the support we need  to respond to emergency calls and provide lifelong refuge at our shelters, and last but not least, the incredible adopters who open up their homes to take in animals and make it possible for us to do even more.

Through our Farm Animal Adoption Network, the largest of its kind in North America, we have placed thousands of farm animals into happy homes throughout the U.S. since 1986.  Among the lifesaving adoptions this year were those of 145 lucky animals who came to our New York and California Shelters, in some cases for urgent care, and then moved on to their new lives with fantastic families, including: Teddy, Felipe and Rambo who went to live with Mary-Jane Morgan in Virginia; six special hens who now reside with Denise Goodman in Pennsylvania; Lulu and Tara who are enjoying life with Tammy Parker in Vermont, and Constance and Marianne turkeys who’ve settled in with Tamara McFarland in California.

Beyond those animals who come to our shelters first and move on to homes from there, are countless more who are directly placed through our National Placement Board, or those we reach out to help by providing some other type of support to safely see them home. Perhaps no story better illustrates the power of team work in placement efforts like these than that of Jasper – a 10-year-old bull whose caretaker passed away, leaving this gentle, friendly animal without anyone to look after him long term. After alerting our FAAN members about his plight, we pulled our resources together with Carol Eiswald at Tusk and Bristle in New York, who also reached out to other animal rescuers and adopters she knew for help; Lydia Weaver, who found the potential adopters; Dawn Camp, who fostered him until he could move to his permanent residence; and Laura Brahim at Kindred Spirits Sanctuary in Florida who arranged for him to be neutered. After Jasper recovered from his surgery, Farm Sanctuary staff transported him to his new home with Dave and Kathy Tickner in Georgia, where he is well-loved and doted on – particularly by Lydia Weaver’s 15-year-old daughter, Brenna, who visited the Tickners’ farm to make the sweet video below.



The importance of placement in farm animal rescue efforts, just like that of cats and dogs, cannot be underestimated. For every animal we place, another life is saved. For that very reason, we are truly grateful for all of our FAAN adopters and everyone else out there who is welcoming rescued farm animals as companions into their families and homes. Together, we are making a difference.

P.S. If you’d like to learn more about joining FAAN, please visit our website today!

Animal Photo of the Week: Lester

 

Stunning Lester has been part of our California Shelter cattle herd since 1995 when he was rescued from an auction along with two other calves. The road to recovery was long and tough for the three dehydrated and weak calves and, unfortunately, one did not make it past childhood. However, the two others fared much better and eventually grew into healthy and happy steers. Now at fifteen years old, laid back Lester enjoys the simple aspects of life - relaxing in his pasture and being groomed by friends.

P.S. Have you voted in the 2010 Veggie Awards yet? If not, please cast your votes for Farm Sanctuary to win "Favorite Animal Sanctuary" today!

 

An Unexpected Baby Bovine Visitor

 

by Leanne 

One Saturday night in July, our California Shelter received an unexpected baby bovine visitor. The two people who discovered the calf in a forest said he was lying on the side of a road, all by himself with no other cattle in sight. Concerned for his well-being, the compassionate duo carefully scooped him up in their arms and, after finding no one around to claim him, drove to Farm Sanctuary to see if we could help.

At the time of his arrival, we were worried that the days-old, all-white Charolais calf, whom we named Elliot, might have health problems related to being separated from his mother at such a young and critical age. We were particularly interested to know whether or not he received the nutrient-rich colostrum, which is a form of milk produced in late pregnancy and after birth, before he and his mother parted ways. Fortunately, blood analysis confirmed not only that he received the vital colostrum, but that he had adequate immunity, healthy protein levels, and no major health issues for which he needed to receive emergency treatment. 

Though we are still getting to know him, Elliot has already proven himself to be an incredibly vivacious and loveable individual. Constantly on the go, he is one of the more active new additions to our shelter family and has developed a correspondingly large appetite to support his high levels of energy!

 

We couldn’t have anticipated his arrival, but we are certainly glad that this baby calf is now safe and sound with us rather than trying to survive on his own without a herd. Welcome to Farm Sanctuary Elliot!

New “Sanctuary Tails” Video Series!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Reel Life at Farm Sanctuary video series! Giving you an exclusive sneak peek behind our barn doors on a monthly basis, these fascinating “Sanctuary Tails” v-logs will transport you straight to our beautiful, bustling sanctuaries where you’ll follow the activities of our shelter staff and animal residents as they carry out their daily routines. You are sure to be captivated, delighted and moved by all that you learn and see!

In this our first exciting episode, National Shelter Director Susie Coston explains the importance of pasture rotation and takes you right along as she shows the New York Shelter cattle, sheep and goats that the grass really is greener in different parts of the farm. You definitely won’t want to miss this chance to see our cute farm animal friends frolicking in the fields, so tune in now to watch!

No "Day at the Fair" for Farm Animals

 

By Leanne

Last week, a pregnant Holstein cow was tragically and unnecessarily shot and killed at the California State Fair. The dairy cow was displayed in a birthing area where she was intended to give birth to her calf in front of spectators. Likely panicked due to the unfamiliar environment and crowds, she escaped and made a run for it. Veterinarians on the scene attempted to tranquilize her, but the tranquilizer gun didn’t fire. Citing public safety concerns, the supervising veterinarian, who in news articles referred to the mother cow as a “nutcase” who was “a little mean,” approved the plan to shoot the cow. She was shot multiple times in the side, killing her as well as her unborn baby. 

Then, over the weekend, I read about yet another animal, a steer named Yellow 98, who was recently on display at the Warren County Farmer’s Fair in New Jersey. While the steer didn’t escape from this summer’s fair, he did make a run for it while being shown at an event last year, leading police and others on a 30-hour chase around the Delaware River. Eventually, he was caught and returned to his “owner.” This fall, Yellow 98’s life will come to an untimely end as he is sent to slaughter – even after all the lengths to which he had gone to preserve his life. When asked about the steer, who captured many people’s hearts after they read his story, his “owner” said, “He goes for what he’s intended, like all steers.”

Since the inception of state and county fairs, the events have been a stage on which local farmers could competitively exhibit their livestock before sending them to slaughter. Over the years, the events have become more popular with the general public and have expanded to include carnival rides, live music and games. While humans might enjoy the excitement, the animals certainly do not. Many farm animals, including cows, are frightened by the loud, chaotic atmosphere of these types of events. Their natural instincts tell them to flee, to find a place of relative calm and quiet. That is precisely what the mother cow and Yellow 98 were doing when they made a run for it.

Fair supporters claim that such live animal demonstrations are not just for entertainment, but also have educational value. They say that through these exhibits adults and children alike can view the life stages of farm animals and, theoretically, get to understand them better. Seeing a farm animal in a confined area at a noisy state or county fair, however, does not give an accurate portrayal of the life of that animal. Animals in such positions are traumatized by their unnatural surroundings, scared for their own lives, and terrified by the large number of people approaching them at once. This is not education, but exploitation. 

As people who care deeply about farm animals and understand their complex nature, we need to throw our voices behind them and demand that fairs end the cruel practice of putting them on display. If people really want to learn about these incredible animals, they should skip these events and make a beeline to one of Farm Sanctuary’s bicoastal shelters instead. Here, the animals are valued as individuals and we give them the space, care and environment they need to live their lives comfortably and more naturally. State and county fairs are not fair for farm animals and we should do what we can to educate others about the alternatives.