At our New York Shelter, a hot, dry spell drags on (of course, hot and dry are the norm at our California shelters), but our residents are doing their best to keep cool! Meanwhile, our Summer of Lambs continues, as energetic new arrivals Laura, Cindy, Bob Barker, Jack, and Vera Jo keep us busy and on our toes. This week saw introductions; re-introductions; progress for a young, mobility-challenged goat; and lots of fun for sanctuary residents big and small. Here’s a look at what the animals and their caregivers have been up to.
Beating the Heat
The ever-cool Stevie alpaca chills out in the barn, his hair blowing in the breeze from one of our cooling fans.
Twister steer knows where the best place is to be on a hot day!
Nancy goat relaxes in the nice cool barn.
Settling In
Frank, who escaped slaughter at a live market in April and ran for his life, is now a full-fledged member of the main herd at our New York Shelter and absolutely loving Farm Sanctuary life! (Catch up on his story here.)
Meanwhile, at our Northern California Shelter, another very special bovine is embracing his new life! Buffalo Boo (right), a longtime resident of our Southern California Shelter who recently made the move up north, this week joined the special-needs herd at his new home and is getting along well with his new friends. His former roommates Rosie and Curly have integrated into the main herd, but the special-needs herd was the perfect fit for tiny Boo.
Life is Good for Our Young Resident Lambs!
Every day’s a blast for Laura, Bob Barker, and Jack (and their fellow lambs Cindy and Vera Jo)! Born in safety at our New York Shelter to moms rescued from horrific circumstances, the future is bright for these little lambs. (Read more about the lambs and see more photos and video here, and learn more about the rescue their mothers came from here.)
Josie-Mae Goat is Doing Great!
Josie-Mae snuggles with Senior Shelter Manager Tara Hess as her leg wraps and splints are changed.
As you may recall, little Josie-Mae and her mother Willow came to our New York Shelter last month, making the trip along with their rescuer, Farm Sanctuary Board Member Tracey Stewart.
Josie-Mae’s mobility challenges mean that she needs a bit of extra attention, but she is thriving under the special care she’s receiving at Farm Sanctuary.
Little Josie-Mae lives with leg challenges, and here she has her wraps and splints changed.
Josie-Mae is such a good girl during this process!
For Josie-Mae, the process of having her leg shaved, hoof trimmed, and wraps and splints applied can be a little bit stressful — but with her friends to help her through it, she can handle anything. And the end result — being able to walk and play with ease — is well worth it!
Josie-Mae is a real trouper, but of course everyone needs to be comforted now and again. Tara is happy to oblige! (Follow this little lady’s ongoing progress at The Daily Squeal.)
Visiting with Friends Old and New
Following last weekend’s Animal Rights National Conference in L.A., we were pleased to welcome our friends at Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) to our Southern California Shelter for a visit.
For one of our FARM guests, a happy reunion with one of our residents was in order. Todd Lee, a former shelter staffer and volunteer, knew Honky Tonk donkey from his earlier days at the sanctuary. Tonk, who lived for a time with a private adopter but recently returned to live at our Southern California Shelter, was clearly happy to see his old friend (and we think the feeling was mutual).
Celebrating Birthdays and “Rebirth-days”!
This week, we celebrated five years with the incredible Sonny, who was rescued as a “downer” calf and fought his way back from a very difficult start to become a strong, healthy boy with a huge heart and vibrant spirit. (Read Sonny’s story here and learn about a recent legislative development involving “downer” calves here.)
This week also marked four years since Albert donkey came to our Northern California Shelter. A noted escape artist in his pre-sanctuary life, Albert had gotten into trouble with the law, but those days are firmly in his past and he is now happily staying put at Farm Sanctuary. Happy “rescue-versary,” Albert!
We also celebrated the “rebirth-days” of Stephen and King roosters, two of our Southern California Shelter’s most stylish residents. Each and every day, we receive requests for help rehoming roosters like them, so if you’re interested in providing a loving permanent home for a bird in need and live in a rooster-friendly area, please consider becoming a part of our Farm Animal Adoption Network (FAAN) and adopting a new friend!
It’s also the rescue anniversary of our resident “Mean Girls,” Cady, Gretchen, Janis, and our little cover girl Regina, who just so happens to appear on the current issue of Laika with our friend and animal advocate Kat Von D. (It’s on newsstands now and also includes several of our other rescued residents posing with their buddy Kat.)
Dance Party!
We’ll let Norm rooster close out today’s post with a dance (or, more accurately, a scratch in the straw as he searches for snacks).
For more Farm Sanctuary updates, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Want to meet our incredible rescued residents in person? Learn how to visit here. Want to help? Your support makes our rescue, education, and advocacy efforts possible. You can also help by sharing our residents’ stories to spread the word that farm animals like them are each someone, not something. A compassionate world begins with you!
Josie-Mae has a kiss for National Shelter Director Susie Coston.
Recent arrival Frank is settling in and doing great!
It’s hot outside, but Genesis goat is happy as a clam in the nice, cool barn.
Sonny celebrated his fifth birthday this week. Happy birthday, Sonny!
Jessica alpaca (shown doing her best koala impression) hanging out indoors to stay out of the heat.
“That’s enough filming for one day,” brothers Bob Barker (left) and Jack lambs seem to say.
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