Posted on Apr 28, 2014
By Ellie Laks, Founder of The Gentle Barn
The month of April marks the 2nd anniversary of the rescue of many
animals from a backyard butcher in Santa Clarita, CA. There was a
place not too far from The Gentle Barn that was raising animals to
slaughter and sell the meat to the community. The animals were abused,
diseased, and kept in filthy conditions, starving with no clean water or
good shelter. We tried to work with authorities to make conditions
better there for about four years to no avail and brought many animals
home who were on the verge of death. However, in April, 2012, the
authorities had finally seen enough and built enough of a case to arrest
the backyard butcher and confiscate his animals, bringing them to The
Gentle Barn to heal.
The animals were terrified and very sick. They had high fevers,
infections, runny noses, were infested with parasites and lice, and
their hooves overgrown. They were listless with no will to live and no
hope in their eyes. Some were orphaned babies, some were nursing moms,
some were pregnant and all were emaciated and terrified. We took the
animals in at our Sun Chlorella Healing Center, where we spent many
months trying to get their bodies well and breathe the life back into
them. Our rescue staff along with help from our dedicated volunteers,
great vet care, Chlorella Super Food to boost everyone’s immune systems,
the animals slowly started to heal. We trimmed their hooves, brushed
out the snarls in their matted coats, sang to them and held them for
hours and gave them a family and a home.
Now, two years later they are all thriving: Hero’s infected leg
has healed and she is a perfect weight and very happy. The goats and
sheep are friendly and adorable, the cows are allowing us to pet and
feed them, and all is well.
Many of the animals from the backyard butcher are now living at our main
location, so when you come to visit you can give them some love and
attention and let them know how brave, beautiful, and wonderful they
are!
To watch the video of their incredible story and rescue, Click Here