Rescue & Adoptions

In Loving Memory

Leo and Alby

Rescued in one of the most gruesome cases of animal abuse and neglect Farm Sanctuary has ever investigated, Leo and Alby arrived at our New York Shelter on March 1, 1989. They were found on a veal farm in Pennsylvania, chained in crates and slowly starving to death, alongside 62 other calves. When animal control officers arrived, only 15 of the calves were still alive. Eight of the fifteen calves came to live at Farm Sanctuary. Weak, emaciated and unable even to stand, they were lucky to have survived their ordeal.

With plenty of love, lots of nourishing food and proper medical care, Leo and Alby recovered physically and emotionally from the horrors they had experienced as calves. Over the years they grew large and strong and ever more popular with people and cattle alike. A born leader, Leo ruled the cattle herd with a quiet dignity for many years. All of the cattle loved him dearly and followed wherever he led. Alby, especially, stayed close to Leo and was, without comparison, his closest and dearest friend.

Even when Leo was diagnosed with cataracts and joint degeneration a few years ago, and we had to remove him from our main herd of cattle, Alby managed to follow him. Soon after Leo was diagnosed, Alby himself developed joint degeneration and was moved into our special needs herd, where he was reunited with his friend. The two lived side by side again in this smaller herd, enjoying peaceful days out in their pastures and the joy of each other's companionship.

When Alby died suddenly of heart failure this past winter, we grieved terribly, but none of us more than Leo. Deeply saddened by the loss of his friend, Leo lost his zest for life and did not get up each day, but instead stayed inside his pen. Then, just two days after Alby's death, he fell in the cattle barn and developed painful, life-threatening nerve damage in one of his legs. Hoping to spare Leo further suffering, we made the decision to have him humanely euthanized. He fell asleep peacefully and willingly, surrounded by friends and knowing that this time it was his turn to follow Alby's lead.