Rose
January 18, 2024
Rose likes to look at her reflection in the mirror.
Rose sheep ran for her life.
Most likely having escaped slaughter, Rose was soon frantically running through the streets of a Northern California town. For some farm animals who break free from a slaughterhouse or transport truck, their freedom is short-lived, and they are soon recaptured and killed. Too few get a second chance, like Rose.
Thankfully, a kind individual saw Rose’s run for freedom and rescued this frightened sheep.
Rose, after her initial rescue. Photo: Anuschka Drescher.
Her rescuer brought her to safety but, over time, found that they did not have the resources to provide long-term care to Rose. That’s when they turned to us for help.
Today, Rose is at Farm Sanctuary Los Angeles, where she will live the rest of her life in peace. She will never be on the run again.
“While Rose adjusts to her new home, she is living in a temporary spot near our offices, and we can watch her from the window. It’s so amazing to watch a transformation unfold right in front of us. At first, she was terrified, skittish, and unsure of her new life. But in such a short time, she has been able to relax and get comfortable,” says Brooke Marshall, Senior Manager of Wellness at Farm Sanctuary Los Angeles.
“We watch her sitting in the sun on her patio, chewing cud, and checking in with her reflection in her mirror. She is curious and watchful, keen to try the bowls of treats we leave her. I can’t wait to see who she ends up befriending, spending her days with, and snuggling with at night. Despite Rose’s unknown past, her future is bright: She has a whole life of sanctuary ahead of her,” says Brooke.
Our gentle caregivers provided Rose with health checks when she arrived. A veterinary visit before her rescue by Farm Sanctuary had revealed she was positive for ovine progressive pneumonia. While this disease typically worsens over time, she is asymptomatic for now and seems comfortable. She just may experience symptoms as she ages, and we will be sure to keep her comfortable and happy.
Likely never having experienced kind attention from humans before her initial rescue, Rose remains timid and fearful for now. We hope she’ll blossom into a confident sheep and feel at peace once she realizes that, here, she is safe. Here, humans mean only food, care, and – if Rose so chooses – affection.
Sheep are too often considered unintelligent due to the misguided belief that they simply follow the flock and lack individual personalities. This could not be further from the truth.
Those lucky enough to have spent time with rescued sheep can likely tell you that these sentient beings are remarkable animals with complex social lives and emotions.
Sadly, around 600 million sheep and lambs are killed for food each year. We are so thankful that Rose has escaped that fate, thanks to her courageous run for freedom and her kind rescuer.
This brave sheep will now forever be part of the Farm Sanctuary family.
