January 24, 2006 – Late last week, Farm Sanctuary rescued three day old calves in need. All three calves were born on dairy farms and slated for slaughter. Farm Sanctuary negotiated the release of these sickly newborn calves and immediately took them to the U.C. Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for evaluation and treatment. The calves have now arrived at Farm Sanctuary's California Shelter in Orland, CA where treatments will continue.
"We are so happy to welcome these babies to our sanctuary," said Leanne Cronquist, Farm Sanctuary's California Shelter manager. "Their health is improving every hour and we are hopeful that all three will grow to be strong and healthy steers."
The first of the three calves, named Billy, was given a vitamin injection, fed colostrum, which would usually come from the mother cow as the calf nurses in the first hours after birth, and given antibiotics to treat any infections present. As he has gained strength, Billy has started to jump and buck around his stall.
The two other calves, believed to be twins, named Phoenix and Casey, have contracted tendons on their front legs that restrict their ability to walk. Phoenix was so restricted that he could walk only on his front knees. Both have been fitted with splints on their front legs to help stretch the tendons as they grow. Phoenix is now standing in his stall and Casey has started to play as his tendons stretch and heal. Phoenix and Casey needed to be tube fed in the first hours after their rescue and received colostrum and antibiotics. Today, they are eating well and building their strength.
The calves will be monitored closely to make sure that they reach optimum health. Once older and stronger, they will be introduced to the main cattle herd at Farm Sanctuary's California Shelter, where they will be able to freely graze and roam the pastures of this 300 acre refuge for abused and neglected farm animals.
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