Often when animals are born “damaged” the impairment causes a loss of value for their owners. Ironically, what is “wrong” with the animal is what actually allows them to be saved from the horrible fate which awaits them. Such was the case with Eden, who was born premature. Being too small is precisely what saved his life.
Bred for the meat industry, tiny Eden was of no interest to the cattle trader as his low weight would not fetch a profit. So the farmer kept Eden in a tiny cage with the hope of selling him as veal when the cattle trader next arrived. During this time, the farmer fell in love with Eden and his sweet and loving nature. When Eden had at last gained enough weight to be sold, the farmer knew she could never imagine him being sent for slaughter.
She contacted FFS frantically asking us save Eden’s life and take him to FFS before the cattle trader returned in a few days.
To do so meant we had to arrange for the legal transfer of ownership very quickly, which is often a complicated and slow process. We were fortunate to have had a swift response by the veterinary authorities. Full of excitement and feeling fortunate, we drove to pick up our new freedom baby.
The great joy of Eden’s rescue was mixed with much sorrow. When we rescued Eden, we had to look into the eyes of all the calves and their mothers left behind, a heart wrenching experience. We reminded ourselves that Eden would be an ambassador representing all the others who would know only horror in their short lives.
Similar to other calves, Eden has commenced his life in tormented solitude, taken away from his mother immediately after being born. As a male, he could not be impregnated to become a “milk machine” so he was considered a “waste product.” Male calves in the dairy industry are placed in cages not much larger than their bodies, either sold as veal at 15 weeks or sent to a fattening farm to wallow in excrement and slaughtered for meat at a fraction of their life expectancy.
Kept for such a long time in a tiny cage, today Eden suffers from swollen joints and leg distortion. We take care of Eden with a lot of dedication and devotion, coupled with expert advice from the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary.
Moments after meeting Eden, people sense what a loving, good hearted and tender baby he is. Eden loves to be touched and demands attention. Seeing him so happy in his new home at FFS is heartwarming.
