 .jpg)
.jpg) .jpg)
Photos by Connie Pugh for Farm Sanctuary
Abandoned Calf Finds Refuge at Farm Sanctuary
Just as some opportunities are too good to pass up, so are those precious chances we sometimes get to really step outside of ourselves and make a profound difference for others. A kind couple in central California recently got such a chance when they spotted a tiny calf suffering on the roadside, and, following a strong, compassionate impulse, pulled their vehicle over to come to his aid and save his life.
Lying alone on the ground, with no one around to care for or claim him, Whitaker was only days old and hours from death when his rescuers found him – too weak, too sick and even too young to stand very well on his own. Scooping him up into their car and driving around in search of anyone who might know who abandoned the calf, but coming up short, the couple took him to a vet for examination.
After a short stay at the hospital, where the starved and dehydrated calf was treated with fluids and electrolytes, Whitaker was taken home by his rescuers. Worried about his poor condition, they began looking for sanctuaries that could provide the calf with the special care they knew he needed to survive. Luckily, they found Farm Sanctuary online, reached out for help, and brought Whitaker to the national farm animal rescue and protection organization’s California Shelter the next day.
Whitaker arrived at Farm Sanctuary in a terrible state. He was small, thin and weak; and worse, he wasn’t even interested in nursing from a bottle. Fortunately, Farm Sanctuary has rescued dozens of orphan calves over the years, and knew just what to do. Seeking veterinary consultation and putting together a healthcare plan for Whitaker, caregivers at the sanctuary began to tube-feed him milk replacer and electrolyte water, administer him sub-Q fluids to keep him nourished and hydrated, and treat him with antibiotics.
Equally integral to Whitaker’s survival were Farm Sanctuary’s shelter interns, who spent countless hours during those first critical days helping caregivers provide for the ailing calf. This included tube-feeding him when he wouldn’t eat, staying with him overnight to monitor his condition, playing and interacting with him to stimulate his mind, encouraging him to stand and walk, showering him with affection, and giving him every reason in the world to keep fighting and not give up.
Finally out of the woods, Whittaker has made a strong recovery at Farm Sanctuary and is breaking the hearts of everyone he meets with his innocent, sweet nature and big, beautiful eyes. Stronger, healthier and happier, Whitaker enjoys his new life more and more each day, and his caregivers at Farm Sanctuary couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to watch him thrive and grow into a lifelong member of the cattle herd!
Learn about our shelter residents and take action on their behalf -- sign up for our alerts and online newsletter today! Farm Sanctuary is located in NY State and California. http://www.farmsanctuary.org/member/
| 
