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Cow on the Loose for Over Six Months in Vermont Finds Refuge at Farm Sanctuary

Compassionate Family Opens Barn Door and Hearts to Wayward Cow

Salisbury, VT and Watkins Glen, NY - October 31, 2005 - Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal shelter and advocacy organization, made the trek to Salisbury, Vermont, late last week to bring a wayward cow to a new home in Watkins Glen, NY. After escaping an auction house in April 2005, the brown and white Hereford wandered across a river and several roads to a nightly refuge in the yard of Barbara and Bill Chamberlain, long-time Farm Sanctuary members, who provided food and a safe haven since May 2005.

Over time, the Chamberlains' grandchildren became enchanted by the nightly visitor and named her "Annie." "No one knew where she went during the day. We only saw her at night when she would stop by for dinner," said Barbara Chamberlain. "She would kick her heels up and frolic in our yard for a time, then disappear into the woods."

After many calls, the Chamberlains found the auction house where she escaped, but upon contacting them, they had no record of ownership, because she escaped without any tags or markings. Instead, the auction house offered to shoot and slaughter Annie, which was not the solution the Chamberlains had in mind. "We thought that having come this far, she didn't deserve that fate," added Chamberlain. "We contacted Farm Sanctuary because we knew that a more permanent, safe haven existed for Annie."

Upon Farm Sanctuary's recommendation, the Chamberlains worked with Annie every day for several months to provide the food that she needed and to get her more comfortable with people. Kate Walker, placement coordinator at Farm Sanctuary, worked with the Chamberlains and arranged for all veterinary services as well as her transport to Farm Sanctuary. Last Tuesday night, Annie walked into the Chamberlains' barn on her own accord.

"Cows are social animals. They like to be with other animals of their own species. Having been alone and wandering the woods for months on end, we knew it would take time to coax Annie into a place where she would feel safe and we could ensure her rescue," said Susie Coston, shelter director who accompanied Kate Walker for Annie's transport. "She was frightened and still skittish when we approached her, but her journey has ended happily. The other cows at Farm Sanctuary welcomed her into their herd in no time."

Annie Dodge (whose name has been amended due to another Farm Sanctuary resident named Annie) will live out the rest of her life in the company of others who have undergone similar experiences. Her herd mates include Cinci Freedom and Queenie, two cows who escaped slaughterhouses in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Queens, New York. Annie Dodge was named in honor of Annie Dodge Wauneka, who became the first Native American to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

According to a report issued in October by the United States Department of Agriculture, a January 2005 inventory of cattle revealed over 95 million cows exploited for food products in the U.S. According to the Vermont Department of Agriculture, beef production accounts for $60 million annually and is the second largest industry in the state. "Annie Dodge reminds us all that cows are worthy of much more than a price tag," added Kate Walker. "She turned the table and became a dinner guest instead of dinner. Like all animals, she wanted to live."

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.