Rescue & Adoptions

Past Featured Rescues

Dawn

Dawn arrived at our California Shelter in July of 1997. She came from a herd of range cattle being raised for beef and was just one-week-old at the time of her rescue. Unable to walk, and in desperate need of nourishment and medical care, Dawn was what the industry calls a "downer." Her mother was severely malnourished and could not give Dawn the nutrients she needed to be healthy. As a result, Dawn was unable to keep up with the herd she relied upon for protection from predators and the elements. Without the kind help of her rescuers, she could not have lived long.

At Farm Sanctuary, Dawn received the treatments and loving affection she needed to heal and grow strong. She recovered quickly and began to thrive in her new home. Now many years have passed since Dawn first came to live with us. In that time, she has captured a place in our hearts and established herself as a truly unique and remarkable cow. Over the years, all who know her have witnessed her remarkable courage and unflagging commitment to her friends. We have all come to appreciate her strength of character, her sense of humor, and most of all, her tender affection for those most in need of love.

Dawn has mothered many orphaned calves throughout her years at our California Shelter. Perhaps because she herself was rescued as a small calf, Dawn developed a special fondness for these lucky bovine survivors. Mistreated and tossed aside by the beef and dairy industries, calves brought to live here have always found comfort and healing in her company. Dawn babies each new calf as if he or she was her own. She protects her charges from any injury or harm, and bravely defends the most needy and vulnerable in the herd.

For many years, Dawn lived with several of our special needs cattle in a luxurious, private pasture, separate from our main herd. In excellent health, herself, we think Dawn enjoyed living with our special needs herd because she knew that was where she was needed the most. Now that she is living in our main herd, all the rest of the cattle are starting to love her, depend on her and learn from her as well. Providing comfort and solace whenever she can, Dawn will no doubt still be the first to greet frightened and injured calves when they arrive at Farm Sanctuary. No matter what herd she is in, she will remain for all our young and sick cattle a steadfast and comforting presence, tirelessly watching over them when they are on the long road to recovery. On those rare, sad occasions when one of the herd dies, Dawn will be there, feeling deeply the loss of each individual. Her mournful moans will still be heard across the sanctuary, leaving little doubt as to the keenness of her grief.

Dawn brings passion and deep emotion to every aspect of her life. In times of grief, and of joy, she is full of vitality and emotion. She is sometimes quiet and serious, or strict with her "kids", but she knows how to embrace the lighter, happier moments of life as well. Quite the comedian and trickster, she loves to play with her herd-mates, enjoying all sorts of fun and games, and even practical jokes. She especially enjoys licking and nibbling at visitors' shoes. When Dawn decides it's time to act motherly and lay down the law, however, she expects to be obeyed. If, for instance, one of the young boys living under her watchful eye decides to snack off of the pile of hay she is eating from, instead of eating off of his own, she will not hesitate to show him the error of his ways and drive him off. Like every good mother, Dawn does not shy away from teaching discipline.

All of us at Farm Sanctuary feel tremendously blessed to know Dawn. She is an inspiration to us - a powerful and uplifting force who motivates us to continue our difficult, but necessary work. Her strength and diligence gives us the courage to remain faithful to our mission, and her intelligence and grace reminds us that we still have much to learn. Dawn's inherent beauty and worth convinces us that there are still some things worth fighting for.

If you are interested in sponsoring Dawn's care through Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Farm Animal Project, click here. If you can provide a lifelong home to cow in need like Dawn, click here.