Rescue & Adoptions

Past Featured Rescues

Pennsylvania Cruelty Case - 26 Cows and Calves Rescued

In March 2004, Farm Sanctuary came to the rescue of 26 cattle — 4 calves and 22 cows, many of whom were pregnant. The cattle were seized by a local humane society after they were found suffering at a farm, without adequate food, water or shelter. Some of the animals had already died. The veterinarian who assessed the animals described this desperate scene:

"Upon visual inspection, the cows were very thin. . .The facilities were substandard to raise beef cows. The manure in the barn was around 3 - 3½ feet deep, some of the cows had fecal scalds on their legs, and the barn was overcrowded with inadequate ventilation. Rain water was collected into a barrel; however the barrel contents were frozen. . .There was no feed in the bunker."

When the humane society contacted Farm Sanctuary for help, we could not say no to these suffering animals. Since our own shelter facilities were full, we immediately launched an emergency national adoption effort through our Farm Animal Adoption Network and made hundreds of urgent calls to place the cows and calves into safe, permanent homes.

Dozens of caring people responded and we have now found loving, adoptive homes for all of the cattle. Ten of the cows and calves were placed into nearby homes right away and 16 remaining cows and calves came to our New York Shelter for veterinary treatments and care in our new Emergency Rescue & Rehabilitation Center. Once at our shelter, cows receiving a "clean bill of health" from our veterinarian were taken to their new homes. Those with more serious health problems remained at our shelter for additional treatment and several mothers-to-be remained behind in order to give birth. In total, four beautiful calves were born here at our shelter.

Two of the Butler County cattle at our new Rescue and Rehabilitation Center before they left for their adoptive homes.

Just months after they arrived at the New York Shelter, the last of the rescued cattle from the Butler County cruelty case were transported to their new adoptive homes. Misty, a cow afflicted with terrible mastitis when she first arrived at Farm Sanctuary, was adopted by a loving family in Michigan once she had recovered well enough to travel. Davey, her beautiful calf, went with her to Michigan, where mother and son will be together forever. Two other cows, Tess and Celia, and their calves Christopher and Audrey were also transported to new, loving homes.

Sprout receiving treatment for his leg infections from shelter caregivers.

A courageous calf named Sprout, who you will remember was receiving major medical treatments for severe leg infections, was adopted by the Godot Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, along with a cow named Delilah. Delilah was quite thin and sickly when she arrived at Farm Sanctuary, but over the past few months gained weight and was finally ready to be adopted out. When Delilah and Sprout reached their new home, they were reunited with their pals Styler and Gracin (who were also rescued from the Butler County cruelty case) and the four are now inseparable.

Finally, on September 18th, two cows named Hazel and Bertha, and Bertha's calf Robin, departed Farm Sanctuary for a new life in Ohio. When they arrived at their new home, they were reunited with four other cattle rescued from the same cruelty case. Baby Robin quickly became close with a young Angus female, and by all reports is doing very well. Hazel and Bertha also settled in very nicely and are enjoying the company of many new friends.

Sprout being examined at Cornell Veterinary School just after his rescue.

All of us at Farm Sanctuary offer our sincere thanks to everyone who made these adoptions possible. Providing veterinary supplies, temporary housing, feed, and transportation for rescued animals is always expensive, but thanks to you, Farm Sanctuary found loving, permanent homes for each and every one of these precious cattle rescued in Pennsylvania. To help create more happy endings for rescued farm animals, please consider making a donation today by using our secure online form or call 607-583-2225 ext. 221. THANK YOU.

Some of our cow friends…

Sprout

Each step he took was painful, but Sprout seemed to know that with every step he took, he was closer to sanctuary. This determined little calf could barely stand when he arrived at our New York Shelter, but he bravely walked into our rescue barn (with a little help from shelter caregivers). Sprout was suffering from severe leg infections - both of his back ankles had large open sores and were swollen to twice their size. Constantly in pain for weeks, he was no longer eating or drinking well, and his overall health was very poor. We took Sprout to the Cornell veterinary clinic, where he was immediately checked into their intensive care ward and put on IV fluids and antibiotics. The doctors determined he would need surgery to treat his leg infections, and after a few days of intensive care, he was stable enough to undergo the operation.

Thankfully, the procedure was successful and Sprout recovered well. Finally able to walk and run as all calves should, little Sprout has started a new life at the Godot Sanctuary in Pennsylvania. He is beginning this new life alongside a cow named Delilah, who was also rescued from Butler County and who has become very close with Sprout since the death of Sprout's mother. Two other cows, Gracyn and her daughter Stylar, who came from the same cruelty case, are also living at Godot, and now all live in a huge, beautiful pasture together. The four will live the rest of their lives in peace, grazing in green pastures, sleeping in clean barns, and surrounded by love and affection.

Misty and Davey

Misty gave birth to a bouncing baby boy on April 10th - and this time, Misty will be together, forever, with her calf. Misty was used as a "breeding cow." For her entire life, she was forced to give birth so that her calves could be used for veal or beef production. Like humans, cows carry their young for nine months and form strong bonds with their newborns. When their babies are torn from them, the mothers cry for days as they frantically search for their calf. Other cows will surround a mother cow who is suffering from this horrible loss, and gently nudge her and lick her face to comfort her. Fortunately, Misty will never experience such a loss again. She and her son Davey are now living together happily with a loving family in Michigan.

Gracyn and Stylar

Gracyn was used as a “breeding cow,” forced to give birth so that her calves could be used for veal or beef production. Like humans, cows carry their young for nine months and form strong bonds with their newborns. When their babies are torn from them, the mothers cry for days as they frantically search for their calf. Shortly after she was rescued, Gracyn gave birth. Through our Farm Animal Adoption Network, we found both a loving home where the two are enjoying nourishing food, a cozy, straw-filled barn and new pig and horse friends. This mother will finally, for the first time in her life, be able to raise and nurture her calf in peace, and they will be able to live together forever.

Annie, Bessie, Evander, and Marilyn

When the cattle were first rescued in Pennsylvania, the Olaker family in Ohio immediately offered a home for these wonderful girls. They moved directly from their foster home in Pennsylvania to their new, happy home in Ohio.