We feel really blessed to be able to rescue so many farmed animals at Unity Farm Sanctuary. 62 mammals and 225 birds live out their lives here protected, safe and loved. There are truly countless more seeking a forever home here, via folks’ calls, emails, and social media messages.
I describe to visitors at the Sanctuary that many of the rescues here have come from small and loving homes where circumstances changed and they were unable to keep that animal any longer for countless reasons. Some are from small settings where the needs of that animal were distinctly not met at all. And there is always the rescue that comes from a more commercial setting where there is some true urgency for the life of that animal.
Only with the strong support of all our followers, donors, caregiver team and volunteers can we step up and rescue animals that cannot stay at our sanctuary. To do the very best for the rescues we have here, we can’t just indulge in accepting another 100 pigs, 200 birds, and well, you get the point! If you "look behind the curtain" though, you see all the other animals needing help. With the steady support of our community, we can briefly have a significant impact in the lives that otherwise would not be saved.
There are so many that this would be the size of a book, not a blog. Let’s spotlight a few recent stories, some triumphant and joyous, and some sadder.
Many of you have followed the story of Fred the Katahdin Ram, and Walter the Boer Goat saved that same day. As a partner and intermediary, our team went to pick up Fred at a farm a couple hours away from us, for Kinder Way Berry Farm and Sanctuary in VT. While we were there, we asked to take Walter home with us, since his needs were very urgent and he was to be put down that morning. Fred was castrated here and after many months, was able to take a ride up to Vermont where he is with many goat and sheep buddies and loving life. Fred sounded like a big steer when he “baaa’d”, his voice was so deep!
Walter had such horrible foot-rot, cankers and abscesses in his front feet, plus an arthritic elbow, that he could not walk, lie down, or get up. He ws thin, in part from the struggle to move. Months of a lot of time and effort from the caregiver team and the veterinary team has Walter walking and loving life (he is incredibly sweet) here at Unity!
These two successes are sadly balanced by some losses. A blind red Angus newborn calf, Gracie, arrived after being rejected by mom. The farmer knew they could not handle the care and agreed to surrender. Unfortunately at that time, she arrived here with raging pneumonia and was already near passing the next morning despite antibiotics. She knew tremendous love and warmth in her final hours and we will honor her memory.
“Ella Fitzgerald” arrived here as an elderly sweet and loved hen after her sisters had all passed. Hens don’t like to be alone, so she spent time in the quiet coop with Circles the blind goose and the older hens there. We hoped for more time with her, but she passed just a few weeks later, naturally. Sadness of course, but at least she knew love her whole life.
One story that is both happy and sad is Penny Blossom Pig. She was rescued nearly 9 years ago from a commercial farm as a sick neonate - she lived and thrived! But in the past year, squamous cell carcinoma has been the enemy. Our veterinarian has been working closely with us with chemotherapy and holistic approaches to her health. Last week, the tumor behind her ear was small enough for a field removal (not full anesthesia, just sedation) and she looks so much better after. We hope to keep buying more time for her, because all the treatments seem to make her feel great! She has lived so many years longer than her original destiny would have been, so that balances out any sadness with the cancer treatment.
One more story to share!
“Brenda” is a rescued research lab Yorkshire piggie and is truly a 300 pound puppy dog. We truly wish we were not at capacity because she would certainly be loved here! We have her here at the Sanctuary after picking her up today. We have shouldered the expense of getting her spayed at Cornell Vet Hospital later this month. We have secured a safe forever home for her in April. It was a delight to watch her first experience of the softness of the dirt, the feel of the rain, fresh hay, and all the other new things today. We will continue to share her story!
Since picking up “Brenda” this morning, the surrender call requests we have received: 10 goats, 5 chickens, 3 roosters, a cat, and small house mini-pig. The encouragement and support you give to us helps keep us doing the hard work that needs to be done - thank you everyone.
("Brenda" in the photo)
