Feed the Change for Farmed Animals

Greetings, and thank you again for your support of VINE Sanctuary's on-site operations by helping to ensure that all animals in residence have the nutrition they need to survive and thrive.

I'm in the process of preparing our 2024 Activity Report, which we will share with you later in the month. As always, I'm struck by how much our small staff has managed to do despite the constant challenges we confront.

But right now, I'm thinking of our most recent new arrivals and the ways that they were welcomed into our multispecies community.

Sunny and Rain are two small sheep who came to VINE this year after humane authorities intervened to rescue them from a neglectful situation. When they first arrived, we decided to keep them in a pen in the barn except when supervised by staff, in order to allow them to gather their strength without being overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of cows, goats, and sheep much larger than themselves.

Immediately, longtime community members made it their business to welcome them. First, Max the alpaca greeted them and appointed himself their guardian. Then Prosecco the sheep stopped by for a long chat, during which we imagine that he shared some things that sheep at the sanctuary need to know. Then Faith the cow leaned her huge head into their stall with an offer to touch noses.

Whenever Sunny and Rain stepped out of their stall to stretch their legs and mingle with the community, Max kept his promise to be their guardian, always staying close by. With his help, they became bolder and bolder, until they were comfortable enough to range widely on their own.

Over in the coop and foraging yard that we call Wayne's World in honor of an especially intrepid animal rescuer, the turkey we call Nahli did something similar for a group of recently rescued young chickens. Already considering himself the supervisor of all staff and volunteers who venture into his realm, Nahli immediately appointed himself the guardian and surrogate uncle of the frightened young birds. His care helped them to acclimate themselves quickly and begin to have fun in their new home.

Many other animals at the sanctuary take care-giving roles for members of their own or other species. Rosie is a care-giver among goats, and Rose is a care-giver for other cows as well as newcomers of all kinds. Maizey the cow recently revealed her fondness for and gentle protectiveness of human children.

But, of course, none of that would be possible were it not for the donors who ensure that Max, Nahli, Rose, Rosie, Maizey, and their multitudinous friends have breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. THANK YOU AGAIN for making the sanctuary possible!

Links:

• VINE on Facebook
• VINE website