Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary, Deer Trail, Colorado

Peaceful Prairie discovered Elliot, Beverly, Charmaine, Malcolm, & Remus neglected at a home. Termed “stocker” or “bottle” calves, they were the cheap discards of cattle operations, torn from their mothers at birth due to low return value. Stocker calves have a high mortality rate due to emotional stress and trauma, making them worth even less, and are often purchased to stock herds, especially by small farms; those that survive are sent to feedlots and eventually end up as cheap beef. Fortunately for these lucky five, round-the-clock medical care that saved their lives was provided by the sanctuary, and they will grow up in a safe and loving herd, cared for by humans and bovines alike.

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

Left abandoned in Tillamook County in a barren field whose owner was slated for eviction, Ferd was one of six calves found alive amongst the bodies of ten others. Extremely malnourished and weak, the calves likely would not have lasted much longer if local law enforcement had not acted to get them help. Lighthouse stepped in to pull the calves back from the brink of death and nurse them back to health. Now the Tillamook calves are teenagers in the Lighthouse herd, free to play and graze to their hearts’ content.

Kindred Spirits Sanctuary, Ocala, Florida

Born on a small beef farm, Owen’s mother likely had a disease or deficiency that led to his eyes improperly developing. Blind at birth, the young calf was seen as a waste of time and money, but rather than shoot him as many would, they contacted Kindred Spirits to take him. This unexpected bout of compassion extended to them allowing Owen to stay with his mother for a month before coming to sanctuary, but sadly did not include them surrendering her. At Kindred Owen has bonded with his small herd, including subsequent generations of calves. He can often be seen gentling and lovingly licking herdmates.

Animal Place, Grass Valley, California

Panda Bob’s mother was seized from a farm raising cattle for beef because she was down, ill, and untreated. She prematurely gave birth to little Bob, but did not have the strength to nurse him. She cried desperately until she saw humans nursing her small calf, at which point her lows quieted. Sadly she did not survive to find safe haven at Animal Place with her baby. After the tragic loss of his mother, Panda Bob bonded with Mortimer calf, quickly showing his bossiness and zeal for life. His outgoing personality is blatantly clear from the moment one is fortunate to meet Panda Bob.

Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, Mehoopany, Pennsylvania

Moksha arrived at Indraloka besieged by parasites, emaciated and nearly skeletal, matted with feces, and very young. In his first days, Moksha experienced the loss of his mother and subsequent abandonment when the beef farmer failed to realize Moksha’s mother had given birth and slaughtered her. When he was discovered, it was still days before the farmers could be convinced to relinquish the dying calf, and they offered him no care. Arriving at Indraloka, Moksha, Sanskrit for “liberation” and nicknamed Mookie, received around-the-clock care and medical attention. With patience and diligence, he grew stronger and stabilized. He now lovingly offers attention to humans, having forgiven his beginnings and sharing his gentle personality with everyone.

indred Spirits Sanctuary, Ocala, Florida

As one of the elder cows who call Kindred Spirits home, Agatha is like the bovine grand dame of her herd. Reserved and serene, Agatha may not be the biggest fan of humans, but then she has her reasons: she, her daughter Shelby, and two others were rescued by Kindred Spirits from the brink of starvation. At sanctuary Agatha is allowed to remain aloof if she so chooses, but occasionally her curiosity is piqued and she will engage with humans. However most often she can be found in the company of Brownie steer, contentedly enjoying the happenings of the day.

Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Saugerties, New York

ndraloka Animal Sanctuary, Mehoopany, Pennsylvania

The three towering Holstein cattle who reside at Indraloka all share the same origin: born on dairy farms, they were torn from their mothers after birth and destined to be slaughtered as babies, perhaps even a few days old. Compassion swayed the farmers however, and each was relinquished to Indraloka at just a day old. At the sanctuary these calves have grown into loving steer; Houdini is the eldest and a watchful leader, Nandi is shy and gentle, and Ogie is the energetic upstart who may one day fully take over leadership from Houdini. The trio teach sanctuary visitors the truth of the dairy industry and act as spokes-cattle for all the dairy boys who do not find sanctuary.

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Safran arrived from an industrial dairy farm in Chino, CA.  Destined to be cheap beef or veal instead of the goofball calf now known by many, Safran was rescued from the dairy industry which treats male calves like waste products who steal their mothers’ milk rather than the joy-seeking babies over whom visitors to sanctuaries thrill. Safran is extremely inquisitive, sometimes to the point of being mischievous in his curiosity.

Rowdy Girl Sanctuary, Angleton, Texas

Farm Sanctuary, Orland, California

Rescued in 1997 at just a week old, Dawn was born into a herd of ranged cattle, but both she and her mother were so malnourished that she would have perished, unable to keep up had rescuers not intervened. Arriving at Farm Sanctuary, she got the veterinary care she needed and has thrived. Dawn is a dynamic presence in the Orland herds – becoming a surrogate mother to many calves and a loving leader. She led the main herd for many years, a calm and playful presence, but also a disciplinarian for rowdy, out-of-hoof calves. In her elder years she now watches over not only the special needs herd, but human visitors as well.

Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, Mehoopany, Pennsylvania

Gentle Nandi is one of the Holstein cattle who reside at Indraloka. Rescued from a dairy farm at just a day old, Nandi, like tens of millions of calves born to dairy mothers globally each year, was supposed to go to slaughter within 24 hours. Profits dictate the calf gets no milk from their mothers. In Nandi’s case, the farmer’s innate compassion won out in this one instance, and he was surrendered to sanctuary. Nandi is serene, often found gazing calmly at activity around him. Rather than outgoing or standoffish, Nandi approaches life with equanimity, neither shunning humans nor seeking them out, but gracefully observing his world.

Farm Sanctuary, Orland, California

Cattle form intense bonds just like humans. They often have best friends, like Mario and Linus are for each other, and others that they prefer to socialize with amongst a herd, like both boys do with Bongo. Such is the magic of sanctuary life that such observations can be seen first hand. Mario and Linus in particular are often seen grooming one another – the cow version of a big, comforting hug for humans.

Ching Farm Rescue & Sanctuary, Herriman, Utah 

Parvati was once part of a petting zoo, but her lure for visitors was not strong enough, she did not generate enough money for the petting zoo, so she was going to be sent to a feedlot where she would have eventually been slaughtered. Ching Sanctuary intervened, and now shy Parvati safely watches over the Utah sanctuary’s grounds with her partner Nandi. Parvati likes to find the tallest parts of the sanctuary from which to observe her surroundings and keep tabs on comings and goings, making sure all is well in the land.

Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, Mehoopany, Pennsylvania

Rupert’s story began with what could have been a fatal transportation accident, but would surely have ended with his death had he made it to the slaughterhouse. A byproduct of the dairy industry, young Rupert was instead rescued after the accident and brought to sanctuary. At Indraloka he received medical attention likely for the first time, and the first loving interaction with humans of his young life. Taken from his mother, Rupert, or Ru as his caregivers call him, found new family, first with the humans and goats, and then ultimately with the cattle herd. At the sanctuary Rupert’s curious and adventurous nature is allowed to flourish; his first forays into the larger sanctuary world were with his buddy Marble sheep, and together they traipsed all over the grounds, more often than not finding harmless mischief.

Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Saugerties, New York

Rudy arrived at the sanctuary as a calf, rescued amidst the chaos of Catskill Game Farm, a private zoo, shutting its doors and auctioning off its residents. He arrived with Amos and Jesse calves, and, had they not been taken in by CAS when the facility shut down, their likely fate would have been a trip from the auction to slaughter. However now Rudy gets the positive attention he loves, and this affectionate and social boy gets to enjoy time with humans and his herd mates in safety at the sanctuary.

Farm Sanctuary, Orland, California

Peanut was rescued from a stockyard where he was one of three calves that failed to sell at auction.  The calves likely would have been dumped on the dead pile to slowly starve to death if not for an investigator present that day.  Peanut was the outgoing calf, whereas his rescue brother Cocoa was painfully shy.  As he has aged Peanut has shown himself to be rambunctious and a bit aggressive with his play.  Luckily his herd family knocks sense in to him when necessary. 

Farm Sanctuary, Acton, California

Green Acres Farm Sanctuary, Silverton, Oregon

Three days old at an auction, Hershey was up for sale to the highest bidder. The winning bid was $7.50, not an uncommon amount for male calves at auctions who have been taken from their mothers at dairies. About half of boys like Hershey will be purchased by veal producers, the other half purchased and sent to feedlots to be fattened for cheap beef. Hershey however was purchased by someone who wanted him to live his natural lifespan of 15-20 years, and thus he made his way to Green Acres.

Farm Sanctuary, Acton, California

Bruno arrived at sanctuary as a calf after surviving a fall off a moving truck.  The driver did not stop for the calf, but luckily the rest of traffic did.  His wounds healed cleanly, so his fall actually saved him from the feedlot fate that would have led to slaughter.  He is now a full grown steer who loves nothing more than to give and receive massages – Bruno uses his entire head to rub up and down the body of his favorite humans, and he in turn loves when humans massage his head and neck.

Farm Sanctuary, Acton, California

Cocoa was rescued from a stockyard where he was one of three calves that failed to sell at auction.  The calves likely would have been dumped on the dead pile to slowly starve to death if not for an investigator present that day.  Cocoa was beyond shy at first, rather skittish and worried about humans, whereas his rescue brother Peanut was very outgoing.  As he has aged, Cocoa still prefers bovine company to human, but will occasionally accept human attention.

PreetiRang Sanctuary, Dixon, California

Ching Farm Rescue & Sanctuary, Herriman, Utah

Rescued after watching his entire family killed before his eyes by a mobile slaughter truck, Nandi still bears some distrust toward humans.  This massive horned steer is very protective of his sanctuary mates – when a sanctuary resident dies Nandi often chases the truck that comes to take their body.  It is clear that Nandi remembers from where he was saved, and his response speaks to not only his self-awareness, but his awareness and concern for all the residents.

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Farm Sanctuary, Acton, California

Safran arrived from an industrial dairy farm in Chino, CA.  Destined to be cheap beef or veal instead of the goofball calf now known by many, Safran was rescued from the dairy industry which treats male calves like waste products who steal their mothers’ milk rather than the joy-seeking babies over whom visitors to sanctuaries thrill. Safran is extremely inquisitive, sometimes to the point of being mischievous in his curiosity.

Farm Sanctuary, Acton, California

Pinto was rescued from a Southern California stockyard, one of the calves for sale from the dairy industry who had no use for the young calf because he was male and would not produce milk.  He was sickly and did not sell at the auction, and would have ended up on the dead pile, likely still alive, had an investigator not been there to intervene and bring him back to sanctuary.  Fully grown Pinto is huge: easily 6’4” and full of love despite the leg issues his massive size causes.

Farm Sanctuary, Acton, California

Oreo was rescued from a stockyard where he was one of three calves that failed to sell at auction.  The calves likely would have been dumped on the dead pile to slowly starve to death if not rescued.  Oreo was sick from the start; smaller than his rescue brothers, he struggled to keep up and required multiple courses of antibiotics and treatments.  Sadly his over-bred body could not keep up and his lungs failed him.  In his short time, Oreo touched hundreds of people with his spirit.

Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, Mehoopany, Pennsylvania

Snuffleupagus, or Gus to her friends, arrived as the only survivor the owner of her herd allowed to be saved from slaughter after getting a gas lease on his property. For the first part of her life, Gus had little to no contact with humans, and thus when she first arrived at Indraloka, bereft of her herdmates, she was standoffish and did not want to interact with the strange bipeds. Kindness prevailed with her over many months at Indraloka, and Gus realized she was in a safe and loving space with a new herd of friends that included other cattle and the humans. Now she accepts loving scratches in her shaggy hair, and she offers the kindness shown her to new calves that join the herd.

Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, High Falls, New York

Fawn’s mother was a dairy cow chained in a milking stall that prevented any movement or ability to lie down. She gave birth to Fawn standing, and the newborn calf fell into the manure pit behind the cows, severely damaging her front knee. The farmer wouldn’t spend money to get care for the calf, but he gave her to a woman he knew who wanted to raise a calf. After a year and an incorrect diagnosis of her fractured knee that prevented proper healing, Fawn’s good leg could not support her weight and she was knee walking. Vets advised euthanasia, but the woman contacted Woodstock who was able to get Fawn to Cornell and a near miraculous treatment that has enabled the loving and affectionate Fawn to not only walk, but thrive at sanctuary.

Farm Sanctuary, Acton, California 

Pinto was rescued from a Southern California stockyard, one of the calves for sale from the dairy industry who had no use for the young calf because he was male and would not produce milk.  He was sickly and did not sell at the auction, and would have ended up on the dead pile, likely still alive, had an investigator not been there to intervene and bring him back to sanctuary.  Fully grown Pinto is huge: easily 6’4” and full of love despite the leg issues his massive size causes.

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

In the industrial farmed animal system special needs individuals tend to trigger polar opposite responses: an urgency to cull the individual or an empathetic connection that can spare their life. Such was Helen’s luck that her natal blindness selected her from her bison herd to receive special attention from the operator’s family member. However when this human fell ill, Helen was once again at risk, but luckily Lighthouse offered Helen refuge and she now gets to live out her days finally completely safe, and acting as an ambassador for others dealing with physical differences.

Farm Sanctuary, Acton, California 

Pinto was rescued from a Southern California stockyard, one of the calves for sale from the dairy industry who had no use for the young calf because he was male and would not produce milk.  He was sickly and did not sell at the auction, and would have ended up on the dead pile, likely still alive, had an investigator not been there to intervene and bring him back to sanctuary.  Fully grown Pinto is huge: easily 6’4” and full of love despite the leg issues his massive size causes.

Animal Place, Grass Valley, California 

Panda Bob’s mother was seized from a farm raising cattle for beef because she was down, ill, and untreated. She prematurely gave birth to little Bob, but did not have the strength to nurse him. She cried desperately until she saw humans nursing her small calf, at which point her lows quieted. Sadly she did not survive to find safe haven at Animal Place with her baby. After the tragic loss of his mother, Panda Bob bonded with Mortimer calf, quickly showing his bossiness and zeal for life. His outgoing personality is blatantly clear from the moment one is fortunate to meet Panda Bob.

Farm Sanctuary, Acton, California

Rescued from a Los Angeles area facility, Mr. Ed might have been used as the breeding bull for a small, cramped herd of Brahman cattle. He arrived with scars on his back and an intense dislike for humans. His formidable presence awed visitors to the sanctuary, but it wasn’t until many years after his arrival that Mr. Ed began to accept attention from his caregivers. The beloved leader of the Acton cattle herd for a decade, the trauma he endured finally unwinding was a beautiful thing to behold: once when he would have tossed his head warningly at caregivers near his space, he instead would lower his head, asking for scratches and massages.

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

Left abandoned in Tillamook County in a barren field whose owner was slated for eviction, Ferd was one of six calves found alive amongst the bodies of ten others. Extremely malnourished and weak, the calves likely would not have lasted much longer if local law enforcement had not acted to get them help. Lighthouse stepped in to pull the calves back from the brink of death and nurse them back to health. Now the Tillamook calves are teenagers in the Lighthouse herd, free to play and graze to their hearts’ content.

Green Acres Farm Sanctuary, Silverton, Oregon

Three days old at an auction, Hershey was up for sale to the highest bidder. The winning bid was $7.50, not an uncommon amount for male calves at auctions who have been taken from their mothers at dairies. About half of boys like Hershey will be purchased by veal producers, the other half purchased and sent to feedlots to be fattened for cheap beef. Hershey however was purchased by someone who wanted him to live his natural lifespan of 15-20 years, and thus he made his way to Green Acres.

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Rescued from a Los Angeles area facility, Mr. Ed was used as the breeding bull for a small, cramped herd of Brahman cattle. He arrived with scars on his back and an intense dislike for humans. His formidable presence awed visitors to the sanctuary, but it wasn’t until many years after his arrival that Mr. Ed began to accept attention from his caregivers. The trauma he endured finally unwinding was a beautiful thing to behold, for once where he would have tossed his head aggressively at caregivers near his space, now he sometimes will lower his head, accepting scratches and massages. 

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

Left abandoned in Tillamook County in a barren field whose owner was slated for eviction, Norman was one of six calves found alive amongst the bodies of ten others. Extremely malnourished and weak, the calves likely would not have lasted much longer if local law enforcement had not acted to get them help. Lighthouse stepped in to pull the calves back from the brink of death and nurse them back to health. Now the Tillamook calves are teenagers in the Lighthouse herd, free to play and graze to their hearts’ content.

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

Left abandoned in Tillamook County in a barren field whose owner was slated for eviction, Sid was one of six calves found alive amongst the bodies of ten others. Extremely malnourished and weak, the calves likely would not have lasted much longer if local law enforcement had not acted to get them help. Lighthouse stepped in to pull the calves back from the brink of death and nurse them back to health. Now the Tillamook calves are teenagers in the Lighthouse herd, free to play and graze to their hearts’ content.

PreetiRang Sanctuary, Dixon, California

Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, New York

At one day old, found motionless in a filthy stockyard pen with a torn off umbilical cord, Sonny would have ended up as yet another dairy discard. Too sick and weak, Sonny would have been dumped on the stockyard dead pile, but investigating Farm Sanctuary staff took him immediately to Cornell for treatment. Sonny’s rescue story can be seen in the documentary Ghosts in the Machine, and now that he is safe and thriving, his star status has given him something of an ego – this boy can be stubborn when he wants his own way.

PreetiRang Sanctuary, Dixon, California

Wildwood Farm Sanctuary, Newberg, Oregon

A rescued calf from an organic dairy, Blitzen is a playful and energetic kid at Wildwood Farm Sanctuary. He was rescued the day before a bull buyer would have taken him. A bull buyer buys or collects the unwanted male calves that make up 50% of dairy calves, selling them for cheap meat. The male calves at dairies, even organic ones, are worth so little to the dairy owners, that they are often given away, as was the case for Blitzen and the other calves rescued that day. Now Blitzen educates visitors to how his life, and the lives of millions of calves born to dairy mothers, are priceless.

PreetiRang Sanctuary, Dixon, California

Wildwood Farm Sanctuary, Newberg, Oregon

PreetiRang Sanctuary, Dixon, California

Ching Farm Rescue & Sanctuary, Herriman, Utah

Grimm was taken from his mother as a baby and brought to a residential treatment center for troubled teens where raising him was supposed to teach responsibility, and then, after three months, taking him away to be slaughtered was supposed to teach the teens how to deal with grief. Fighting against Grimm’s fate, the teens got their parents involved and were able to get Grimm released to Ching. There Grimm befriended Sven, rescued from a similar program, and found family with the other sanctuary cattle.

PreetiRang Sanctuary, Dixon, California

Wildwood Farm Sanctuary, Newberg, Oregon

Taken in by a private individual who kept him from being sent to slaughter as a young male calf in the dairy industry, Moose came to live at Wildwood when the individual could no longer care for the growing calf. A calm and sweet boy, had he not been saved Moose would have been one of the more than two million male calves used for veal or cheap beef in the U.S. each year. He likely only knew his mother for less than 24 hours, but now at the sanctuary he is given lots of love from caregivers and visitors.

Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, New York

indred Spirits Sanctuary, Ocala, Florida

Farmaste Animal Sanctuary, Lindstrom, Minnesota