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Rescued Calf Warms Truxton Man’s Heart During a Deep Freeze

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — January 5, 2010 — He was supposed to spend the frigid winter down South with his family, but fate intervened back in May when a Truxton man, Larry, found himself in the proverbial right place at the right time and prevented a days old male calf from receiving a fatal hammer blow to the head. The calf, saved from one of many cruel practices used by dairy farmers to rid themselves of male calves whose lives are considered of no value to the dairy industry, will arrive safely this afternoon at the Watkins Glen-based shelter of Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization.

Larry, a life-long meat eater who has never been involved with any kind of animal protection activism, found himself sickened at the thought of a baby calf never being able to enjoy life, and impulsively persuaded the farmer to let him take the calf. The farmer agreed and Larry took the calf home with the intention of raising him until he was big enough to slaughter for meat, at which point he would be sold to a buyer he already had lined up. But something unexpected happened over the course of the eight months that he cared for the calf — he grew fond of him.

“When people spend time actually getting to know a farm animal, they realize these animals are no different than the dogs and cats they cherish at home,” said Farm Sanctuary’s National Shelter Director Susie Coston. “Cows, like all other farm animals, have their own unique personalities, likes, dislikes and desire for love and affection. Most visitors to our shelter find it difficult to go eat a hamburger after spending time with the animals here — at a certain point, something just doesn’t compute.”

No longer wanting to sell the calf for slaughter, Larry knew he could no longer adequately care for a rapidly growing calf in his backyard shed during one of the most bone-chilling winters on record. With the help of a friend, he contacted Farm Sanctuary’s National Shelter Director Susie Coston, who arranged safe transport of the calf to the non-profit’s New York Shelter, where he will receive ongoing love and care. “We’re thrilled to welcome this little boy to our sanctuary,” said Coston. “Larry’s story just goes to show how powerfully an animal can touch your life when you let them.”

If you would like to receive a photo of the rescued calf or speak with Farm Sanctuary’s National Shelter Director Susie Coston, please contact Meredith Turner at 646-369-6212 or mturner@farmsanctuary.org.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.