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Farm Sanctuary Finds Permanent Home for Rescued Cattle in the New Year

Catskill Animal Sanctuary to Provide Lifelong Shelter to Five Dairy Cows Saved from Western New York Cruelty Case

Watkins Glen, NY and Saugerties, NY - January 18, 2006 - Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal shelter and advocacy organization, has found lifelong refuge for five dairy cattle rescued from a grisly cruelty case in Rathbone, New York, where seven cattle, one bull and an emaciated horse were seized from a family farm. Catskill Animal Sanctuary has opened its barn doors to the band of cows - a mother, Roshni (light) with daughter, Asha (hope) and three herd friends, Satya (truth), Salma (peace) and Indira (beauty) - who will start a new year nestled in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains.

"Catskill Animal Sanctuary is looking forward to making these five cattle a part of our sanctuary family where they will enjoy new lives. For these animals, the term 'New Year' is quite literal," said Kathy Stevens, director at Catskill Animal Sanctuary. "Farm Sanctuary and Catskill Animal Sanctuary have worked together on rescue cases in the past, and we are happy to provide permanent shelter to these deserving cows."

Farm Sanctuary acted quickly to extricate all nine animals from their gruesome surroundings in mid-December, when they were contacted by the Finger Lakes Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). The stalls where the cattle were housed were overflowing with six feet-high piles of manure. Tethered or in stanchions, the cattle could move only a few inches, and one cow's bloodied hipbone was infected and exposed to the bone. The bull was barely able to walk because his hooves were over one foot long.

"The cattle were clearly neglected for years and suffered terribly as a result. The manure was piled so high that the cows' heads were inches away from hitting the ceiling, and their hooves were so overgrown it was a wonder they could walk at all," said Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary's shelter director. "We are thrilled beyond words that Catskill Animal Sanctuary will provide these cows with the peaceful and nurturing life they so deserve. Like humans, cattle bond with family and friends, and these five cows are fortunate to be placed together."

At Farm Sanctuary, the cattle received much-needed veterinary care, including hoof trimming, worming and vaccines. The extremely malnourished horse has been placed in a loving foster home. The two remaining cows, Sunny and Lilli, and the bull, Bradley, will remain at Farm Sanctuary where they will join the New York shelter's main herd, once they are fully rehabilitated.

Charges are still pending in this case. Shockingly, farm animals are specifically excluded from many state anti-cruelty laws and are not covered under the federal Animal Welfare Act, making it difficult to prosecute individuals who abuse farm animals.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.