In the dairy industry, male calves are considered useless because they can’t become pregnant or produce milk. For this, they face death — either killed on-site at dairy farms or sold to be used for beef or veal. Thankfully, a kind individual stepped up to save Walter, Randolph, and Ted when their time had nearly run out.

Their rescuer, a vegan and passionate animal advocate, was thrilled to welcome these three adorable steers—but when circumstances would no longer allow for their care, the rescuer turned to us for help finding a permanent home.

When such situations arise, we take in as many animals as possible at our New York and California sanctuaries. However, when an animal needs placement elsewhere, we turn to our Farm Animal Adoption Network (FAAN) of trusted homes and sanctuaries.

Finding one home for multiple large animals, like these sweet steers, at once can be tricky—but we do everything we can to give farm animals in need their best life. Thankfully, our FAAN partner, Longleaf Animal Sanctuary in Alabama, was able to take action by providing a forever haven to Walter, Ted, and Randolph, the sanctuary’s first bovine residents—who now have many acres of beautiful land to roam together.

While Walter, Randolph, and Ted’s former guardian will surely miss them, it is a relief to know they’ll remain together—safe and cared for—and, thankfully, she’ll still be able to visit them in their new home!

“So much time, energy, and love go into every single transport and placement as we bring as many farm animals as we can to their loving forever homes,” says Ashley Pankratz, Farm Sanctuary’s Senior Manager of Rescue & Placement. 

“In this case, the boys had many humans working on their behalf, from their rescuer to their veterinarian to the Farm Sanctuary and Longleaf Animal Sanctuary teams. Everyone came together beautifully to bring these steers from New York to Alabama – because we knew how important it was to find safety for them and honor this trio’s relationship bonds.”

This Farm Animal Adoption Network rescue has been made possible by generous support in memory of Andy Stallman.