Rescue & Adoptions

Days old and barely breathing, Harrison the calf was lying alone in an open field and only hours away from death when he was discovered by a compassionate humane officer in Santa Cruz, CA. The newborn—the son of a cow bred to replenish a small herd of beef cattle—was nonresponsive, bellowing only briefly in pain when the officer checked his vitals and determined that he was in desperate need of medical attention.

Without delay, Harrison was rushed to a nearby veterinary hospital, where medical personnel determined that he was suffering from a severe navel infection, which had begun to spread throughout his body. The calf was administered antibiotics and fluids, but these measures would not be enough to see him safely through his ordeal.

Learning from veterinarians that Harrison's chances of survival would increase with access to his mother's milk—a vital source of nourishment and antibodies-Santa Cruz Animal Services swiftly retrieved the mother, Loretta, from the ranch and reunited her with her son. The pair immediately picked up where they left off-Loretta taking over the care of her son and Harrison basking in the attention only a mother can provide.

Though mother and son meant the world to each other, they meant very little to the rancher who formerly "owned" them. When animal services asked the man why he left the calf for dead, he merely replied, "The calf is only worth $5, so why would I pay to treat it? If it lives, it lives. If it dies, it dies." Fortunately, the officer who came to Harrison's aid also disagreed with the farmer's rationale and enforced cruelty statutes allowing for the calf's removal from the property.

After convalescing under the care of veterinarians, a healthier and happier mother-son duo traveled to our California Shelter, where they remain inseparable—living each day as if there was never any reality different from the one they now know. Cause for celebration when they occur, such reunions are rare in our work. Having the opportunity to shelter Loretta and Harrison from an industry that inevitably tears farm animal families apart has been a true gift, one that goes unmatched for them and for us.

We are still in need of donations to help cover the costs of rehabilitating little Harrison and providing both him and his mother with the food, bedding and veterinary care they need to be as comfortable, happy and healthy as they can be. If you are able to make a gift to our Emergency Rescue Fund, please click here, call 607-583-2225 ext. 221, or send a check to Farm Sanctuary, P.O. Box 150, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.