Rescue & Adoptions

Healthcare with Heart Stories

Left to Languish Unwanted and Alone

Imagine being so neglected, hungry and weak you cannot even stand up to move yourself somewhere that will alleviate your suffering. This is how Grace the sheep was found when a local contractor discovered her on a piece of property in California. Grace was unclaimed by the property owners, so the contractor knew he needed to take action quickly. So skinny and weak, Grace was unable to lift herself, so the kindhearted contractor took her to a nearby veterinarian. Grace might never have moved from the ground again were it not for this compassionate act on that fateful day in October 2006.

Once an animal control officer arrived at the vet office where Grace was taken, it was decided that she should be moved to a different vet who could better care for a farm animal in need. Once she was safely transported to the new vet, immediate care was administered to the suffering sheep. Grace was checked for parasites, and bloodwork was done. She had a very high parasite count and low red blood cell count, so she was treated for anemia, and given de-wormer medication to rid her of the parasites.

After being released from the local vet to Farm Sanctuary's care, Grace was taken to the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, where Farm Sanctuary regularly takes its rescued farm animals for special care. At the hospital, Grace received a blood transfusion, and having gained some strength since being rescued, was able to stand and walk with assistance. However, the hospital did not have much hope in Grace's recovery. They told our staff that if she did not show improvement in three or four days, humane euthanasia would be recommended; however, to us this is a last resort, when all other feasible options are exhausted, and we continued to put hope into Grace's recovery. An intern at Farm Sanctuary visited Grace at the hospital and found her in a fenced yard contentedly munching on grass, though she was still unable to stand on her own. The intern left a mirror in Grace's pen for her, a special gift that we have found helps lift the spirits of animals who enjoy the company of their herd. We were very hopeful for her continued improvement as we saw her gain strength each day.

Grace did improve, and soon was healthy enough to travel to her new home at Farm Sanctuary's California Shelter. She was welcomed with open arms by our healthcare staff, who are thoroughly trained in every way to help rescued farm animals recover after months, and sometimes years, of neglect. However, special training was not needed to see that Grace had a long road ahead of her.

She was so weak from her previous life of neglect, that for the first few days Grace was still unable to get up on her own. Farm Sanctuary's attentive healthcare staff helped to gently lift her several times a day, which is a therapeutic way in which to help animals rebuild their strength and remind their muscles how to work after not being able to use them for so long. After five days, staff people were elated to see that sweet Grace was able to stand on her own! She still had a high parasite load, so she received a second de-wormer treatment, but she has been improving every day since. We have found she enjoys any special treat she can get her hooves on, from grapes and apples to greens, carrots and fresh grass. Our healthcare staff has discovered this smart sheep is well aware that when the nearest refrigerator is opened, there is a high probability that she will receive a tasty treat!

Though we may never know what kind of life Grace had before the caring contractor stepped in to rescue her, we know now that her strength of spirit and will to live have carried her to higher grounds, and a happy, fulfilling life at Farm Sanctuary. Never again will she have to worry that she will not be able to find food, shelter or safety.