Sanctuaries are not all created equal and some are very far from being the “rescues” that they claim to be. With the advent of social media a lot of bad places, including sanctuaries, are flying under the radar and actually garnering support from unknowing members.
Pages from the website of this and so many sanctuaries say all the right things but often the treatment of the individuals is a far cry from what is being stated.
Just like the person who posts Gandhi posts about nonviolence moments after screaming profanity at someone, social media profiles do not always portray the full picture and can in some cases actually cover up something very gruesome. This happens quite often sadly, with small farms (as we witnessed earlier this year with a Cattaraugus County farm-to-table operation) and even sadder, when the entity is a sanctuary. Such is the case when those with good intentions take on more than they can handle, and unfortunately, the animals suffer.
Before giving money, really check out a sanctuary (and not just the website or the external reputation of the founder). As with everything, just because something is in writing does not mean it is true.
This was the case with 43 of our newest residents who came from a “sanctuary” in Florida after a PETA undercover investigation revealed just how horrible conditions had become. This sanctuary had been focused on taking in as many animals as it could rather than allowing each resident to have the individualized care that makes a sanctuary a sanctuary (and not a farm). Sadly, the conditions at this sanctuary turned out to be not only comparable, but actually worse than some of the farm cruelty scenes to which we’ve been called.
Protruding hips on a very hungry boy.
We will start with Isaac, who arrived a few weeks ago and who is finally settling in. We will continue next week with the chickens from the same case, whom we are just getting to know and who already are winning over our hearts with their charming personalities.
A skinny, dirty Issac in a sad pasture right beside the grass he would love to be eating. Photo by PETA.
Isaac was a calf actually purchased by the couple, which is a huge red flag all by itself. At Farm Sanctuary we are opposed to purchase for rescue. Giving money back to an industry that you are speaking out against is counter-intuitive, especially if that is the way you continue to obtain farm animals; who are constantly abused and constantly needing rescue.
In the trailer and on the move: Isaac has no idea what changes will come.
For years Isaac lived at a sanctuary in Florida and lived alone- without ever being with another member of his species. As a steer he of course is a herd animal and herd animals need and long for a herd. Meeting the psychological needs of our residents is equally as important as treating their physical needs.
First pictures of Isaac sent to us from PETA.
Isaac also needed food. A diet of rotting vegetables is not only an improper diet, but is a dangerous one as well. Sanctuaries should have knowledge of proper care of all their residents; far more so than the average farmer who is raising an animal for slaughter. But in this case it was not just about a lack of knowledge; these individuals were in over their heads.
Above is a very healthy looking Texas Longhorn steer in comparison to our boy Isaac. Isaac has little to no muscle tone, but we are working on that.
Whether or not you agree with the tactic PETA used (going undercover as a volunteer) to reveal the situation, one cannot overlook the fact that their investigation played a key role in bringing attention to the mistreatment that was occurring. As a result, the animals were removed and the couple running the sanctuary was arrested.
Isaac at the holding facility after removal from the sanctuary in Florida.
An incredibly graphic video taken by PETA’s undercover team who volunteered at the location reveals just how bad conditions had gotten. You can view it here, but a word of warning: We could not watch it with the volume on, and we were definitely heartsick over what we saw.
Skinny, but looking much brighter after his treatments.
Knowing what we know about the conditions from which he was rescued, we are so thankful Isaac with us and safe. He was removed along with over 200 other animals, mostly pigs, who suffered from various forms of neglect.
Hello, new humanimal friend! Senior Manager Tara Hess meeting the big boy!
Isaac was found emaciated and alone, without a single bovine companion. He was removed in August and with the court case pending, he was not able to come to us until weeks later. When he arrived, he was found to be suffering pneumonia, diarrhea, a rotting wound on his ear, and emaciation. But that is all changing and quickly.
A very tired and dull Issac the day after his arrival. His whole demeanor was sad.
We started this boy out, like we do all our newcomers, in an isolation area where he could not be in contact with our resident animals until all necessary testing was complete. This is to ensure disease, parasites, and other contagions are not spread from new animals to our residents (yet another important trait of a good sanctuary).
Walking to the sheep barn so he could get treated again. Isaac longed for interaction with us and with any animal he could see.
After his arrival, Isaac was immediately treated with injectable antibiotics for pneumonia and blood was drawn by Tara and myself to test for BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhea, Bovine Leukemia Virus, and Johne’s disease), CBC and Chemistry, a selenium test, and a very loose fecal sample was collected to test for parasites. We cleaned up his ear; debriding the dead tissue and applying topical treatments. We also cleaned blood off his horns, which could have been from the ear injury or something prior to that injury.
With sutures out of his torn and now infected ear and his horns as clean as we could get them with a good scrubbing.
After treating this boy, who lived in our isolation area, we moved him to our sheep barn pen, since he was super lonely. He actually made that decision himself by refusing to return to the isolation area. He also made it very clear by attempting with every fiber of his being to reach out to every sheep and goat he met.
Attention please: I need your attention!
He also mooed like a maniac every time he heard or saw our cattle herd go up to pasture. Despite the fact he’d not been around other bovines, Isaac clearly knows who his people are.
Watching the cattle mooooooove up to their top pastures, Isaac lets them know he is here!
Like the bull mastiff who thinks he’s a lap dog, Isaac does not seem to recognize his size. He’s begun to emulate his new neighbors who happen to be goats. He also has no idea that he has very large horns on his head, which could be a problem, but for now we are watching him closely.
Give me some hay, ladies. Seriously, what does a goat have to do to get fed around here. (Someone has limited self awareness).
Watching this boy figure out his new life is incredible. We love to see him bounce around with goats and sheep from the other side of the gate with which they are separated and hear him moo to his people.
Weeks after his arrival: Isaac is filling out already and looking for his sheep buddies. They are not as thrilled about him, however. Maybe it is swords on his head?
We love everything about this boy and delight in the little things like seeing him learn his new name, Issac, (close to his old name, Isis, which just seems inappropriate currently) and responding when he is called. He longs for attention, and we are more than happy to oblige.
Pleazzzzzzzzzzzz pay attention to me!
This past week (after all testing came back and treatments completed), Isaac met his first cattle, starting with Twister, another horned gentle giant. Despite the fact his new acquaintance is equally opposed to confrontation, Issac is exhibiting some serious trepidation. So for now, we have a fence between them and if everything goes well, this amazing steer will join a herd that includes cattle, goats and even a couple of alpaca people.
Trying to meet Twister and realizing that he is just not ready for other cattle: For now, Isaac will be beside his new bovine friends until we can put them all together.
Like every individual who comes to our sanctuaries, Isaac’s every need will be met. His well being and personal comfort is our priority, because at Farm Sanctuary
— as with any good sanctuary
—
every individual from the smallest chickens to the largest cattle are treated as someone, not something.
Cute puppy-dog eyes and a little bit of drool: This boy is winning the hearts of everyone who meets him.
Stay tuned for more on Isaac and an introduction to his chicken friends (who just arrived). We are all so happy that he is finally home, a place where he is Isaac, and can finally realize who that really is.
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