After years of being forced to bear calves and having them torn from her so the farmers could sell her milk, Hope was no longer able to get pregnant and produce enough milk. Normally she and all the other cows who can no longer easily get pregnant or produce large quantities of milk are sent to slaughter, because the farmers cannot economically justify feeding them.
Just this year alone hundreds of thousands of America's dairy cows are being ground into hamburgers because milk prices have dropped so low that farmers can no longer afford to feed any animals that are not producing the largest amounts of milk. The pressure to provide cheap milk also means that these cows are forced to take hormones, antibiotics, and not given adequate vet care, which takes a toll on their bodies in addition to the stress of multiple pregnancies.
However instead of ending up at a slaughterhouse, Hope was spared when a rescue stepped in to help save her.
They brought the frightened cow to for the Animals sanctuary, where she quickly fit in with another new arrival, Amy, a young calf discarded by the dairy industry as a milk by-product and destined for slaughter. The two became close friends, and the motherless-calf and the mother who had lost her many babies quickly became a second-chance family.
Sadly, sweet Hope has dislocated her hip. Honoring Hope and sending much love and positivity to a little patch of heaven in Blairstown.
Thank you for posting the story about Hope. It is so comforting to know everyone how much loves her.
ReplyDeletefor the Animals
Deb
founder of for the Animals sanctuary