Riley & Abe
October 12, 2023
Riley & Abe first came to our New York sanctuary, but now live at their forever home: Farm Sanctuary Los Angeles!
Abe and Riley sheep are inseparable, enjoying the sanctuary life together after a shared trauma.
When authorities arrived at the North Carolina property where these sheep once lived, they found over 200 neglected animals; some were starving, and sadly, some had already died. The farm’s owner was charged with 90 counts of animal cruelty.
Thankfully, Riley and Abe were among the survivors given a second chance at a better life.
Working with Ziggy’s Refuge Farm Sanctuary and The Fields A Forever Farm, we took in 10 sheep. As soon as they could come with us, our team brought them to our sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York. There, our team and a care manager from Catskill Animal Sanctuary provided the health checks the animals so desperately needed.
Once they were healthy and happy, we brought Riley and Abe to their forever home: our Los Angeles sanctuary! In sunny California, their future is bright.
Riley sheep with Brooke Marshall, Senior Manager, Wellness at Farm Sanctuary LA
Riley and Abe are still timid around humans for now, as coming to Farm Sanctuary has offered the first kindness they’ve known. The emotional scars inflicted by animal agriculture, like the physical wounds, can be hard to overcome.
Yet, Riley and Abe are slowly getting more comfortable around their caregivers and have joined their flock. They even come running to us for hay at feeding times! Both boys are healthy and love eating their midday mashes.
Follow along on social media for updates on Riley and Abe as they enjoy the Farm Sanctuary life.
Abe sheep at Farm Sanctuary LA
There is a common misconception that sheep are not complex. They are too often seen only as products to be used for their meat and wool. Around 2 million sheep and lambs are slaughtered yearly in the United States — most at only six to seven months old. Yet, sheep are more remarkable than they are given credit for. Sheep follow detailed migration routes in the wild. Forming friendships and social groups, sheep get upset when separated and can recognize each other’s faces (and those of humans!).
For Riley and Abe, friendship is vital to healing from their past. Each day, they have each other to lean on as they become more and more at ease in their sanctuary home and learn to trust the humans caring for them, too.
We are so thankful that this pair will live a peaceful life together, never to be separated.
Nirva was rescued from the same farm as Riley and Abe. She was still being nursed back to health from the malnourishment she had suffered when, much to the surprise of our caregivers, she gave birth overnight to a sweet lamb we would name Ashley! Now, they will spend their lives together in safety and love.
