We were told there were a couple dozen ponies, goats and sheep when our Animal Welfare & Response Team was called to assist authorities in removing several barn animals living in dreadful conditions at a central Iowa property yesterday.
Our stomachs dropped when we arrived to discover not just those animals, but hundreds more. In total, there were 379 chickens, goats, sheep, ponies, potbelly-type pigs, geese, ducks, rabbits and kittens. All suffering.
Most were thin to emaciated with no food or water. Animals had resorted to eating anything they could find, and the trees were stripped of bark and leaves up to the height of the tallest animal. The pigs were living in a cubicle-sized shed in pitch blackness in at least 4 inches of feces and mud. It was heartbreaking. We didn’t know when they had last seen daylight.
We knew this was going to take more resources than anticipated with the severity of their conditions and the sheer number of animals who needed urgent help.
Our rescue team quickly called in reinforcements and got to work for what would turn into a daylong operation. Our team worked until after dark loading animal after animal with multiple trips back to our Second Chance Ranch and our Rescue Intake & Rehabilitation Center, where they could finally have a clean place to sleep and eat.
We know we’ve asked a lot of you recently. But these animals will need a lot of help, and we’re still caring for the dozens of animals we told you about just a short time ago.
We never know when our team will have to deploy at a moment’s notice, and when you give today to support rescue efforts like this or choose to give monthly, you’ll ensure our rescue team can continue being there for innocent animals in Iowa, no matter the distance or how many animals are suffering.
P.S.: When you give today or join our Loyal Friends Club monthly giving program, you’ll be automatically enrolled to receive updates on these animals.
