Before arriving at Farm Sanctuary, Ashley’s mother, Nirva was living on a farm in Wake County, North Carolina, where more than 200 animals were suffering from severe neglect. 

The farm’s owner was charged with 90 counts of felony animal cruelty. Some animals were found starving, while others died before authorities could remove them from the property where they had long suffered. Thankfully, some survived and have been offered a second chance for a better life.

Farm Sanctuary and several other organizations leaped into action, collaborating to save as many lives as possible.

Working with Ziggy’s Refuge Farm Sanctuary and The Fields A Forever Farm, we took in 10 sheep while others went on to other homes. 

As soon as they could come to Farm Sanctuary, our team set out on the trip to Virginia in October, bringing the sheep to the peace and safety of our Watkins Glen, New York sanctuary, where we provided health checks and care they so desperately needed. Catskill Animal Sanctuary kindly sent their Healthcare Manager to help examine and treat our new residents.

Although we suspected there was at least one pregnancy among the rescued sheep, we couldn’t be certain – until Ashley lamb made her appearance.

Overnight on October 25, Nirva gave birth to a lamb who our caregivers were joyfully surprised to find nestled up to her mother in the morning. 

Imagine the delight of our team of devoted animal lovers when they saw that the adorable Ashley lamb had come safely into the world. Imagine Nirva’s relief to have given birth in a safe environment, where she no longer had to fear for herself or her lamb.

Thankfully, Ashley was born in our care and will live out her life in love alongside her mother. She will never know how close she came to a horrible fate.

Ashley was small and fragile and faced some tough odds from the start, as her malnourished mother, still being nursed back to health by our caregivers, struggled to produce milk.

These two required a lot of help, an effort we did not hesitate to take on. With regular care and feedings, Ashley and Nirva have begun to recover. They are growing bigger and stronger by the day, and have gone outside to enjoy the sunshine, roam their pasture, and spend time in the company of their flock.

Nirva’s caregivers say she is very sweet and somewhat cautious. She loves mash, and because of that, she’s learning to love people. She enjoys trying to chew on phones, pockets, and anything she can get to. She’s particular with the other sheep and who she likes and doesn’t like.

Ashley, born into a peaceful environment, is sassy and outgoing. She loves to climb on her mom and under the perch in their yard. She’s very curious about snow and has even eaten some! She is an inquisitive girl in general! She likes to “escape” and roam around but will get upset if separated from her mom for too long.

We are so thankful that Nirva and Ashley are at Farm Sanctuary, and they will never be separated. We can see the strength of their mother-daughter bond daily, and will cherish getting to see it grow with time. 

Her mother once suffered, but Ashley will never know pain, fear, or neglect at the hands of humans. That is the beauty of a lifetime of sanctuary.