Rescue & Adoptions

Past Rescues

Juniper

Juniper was taken in by a woman who was at a farm attempting to press charges against the farmer for neglect of his dog. She witnessed a tiny goat hopping across the filthy yard, bent nearly in half and actually walking on her front legs. The goat, later named Juniper, had only three-quarters of her back left leg and no hoof on her back right leg. Sharp bone protruded through both back legs, and she was dehydrated and malnourished.

The tips of both her ears were missing and her body was covered with lice. With threats to turn the man in for yet another incident of neglect, the farmer told the woman that he purchased the goat at auction in that condition, but that the woman could take her. Juniper was brought to an SPCA, cleaned up and treated by a local vet. Once her legs healed, the woman contacted Farm Sanctuary.

Juniper arrived at our New York Shelter, and seeing the condition she was in, we made immediate plans to take her to Cornell University Animal Hospital's Orthopedic Department. The doctors speculated that the cause of the damage to her ears and legs was untreated frostbite, and that the frostbite resulted in sharp bone that actually worked through the skin of the two back legs.

To prevent the bone from protruding any more, the back leg would have to be removed, or Juniper would attempt to use it, damaging the area further. Once the leg was removed, all of her weight would shift to her back leg with no hoof, causing further damage. Due to this, we consulted with a horse prosthetist, who felt that he could design a limb for Juniper that would allow her complete, normal mobility, and protect her other leg from further damage.

After weeks of discussion, the decision to have Juniper receive a prosthetic was made. Juniper then underwent surgery to partially amputate the sharp bone, still keeping the joint for easier movement of the leg. This surgery went well and the area healed quickly over the next few weeks. A cast was taken to fit her for the prosthesis. A local prosthetic designer, Mr. Frank, then created her new leg, which she took to instantly. After just two fittings, Juniper was off and running.

Moving from the frustration of barely being able to get around, to frolicking and playing in the grass, has done wonders for Juniper's state of mind. She is happy and confident, and no longer shies away when people visit. Even when she is not wearing her prosthetic leg – and sometimes she prefers not to - she is active and joyful. Because Juniper requires consistent monitoring by her prosthetist, she will remain here at Farm Sanctuary and will not be adopted out to another home.

Juniper is in need of a loving, monthly adoption sponsor to help with her special veterinary and care needs. Click here for information on how to help through our Adopt-A-Farm-Animal Project.