5/28/2025 –
Earlier this month, we rushed a sickly calf from southern California to UC Davis’ veterinary hospital. Sunflower was traded by a dairy for two goats.😒She was born with spina bifida and did not receive proper care. She developed giardia, ringworm, and pneumonia.
After two weeks of being hospitalized, she came home. She is still receiving treatment for giardia and ringworm.
As you know, cows are social animals and need companionship with a member of their own species. We do not want Sunflower alone until she is big and healthy enough to go in with one of our herds.
🥰Here’s the good news – we found a calf! She’s in Iowa but we won’t let a few thousand miles get in the way of a forever home for her!
Like Sunflower, sweet Zinnia is “different”. She was born a twin to a male calf at a dairy farm. When this happens, the female calf is flooded with male hormones. This leaves her unable to get pregnant.
And usually, her fate is slaughter. A female on a dairy who cannot get pregnant has little value.
A worker at the dairy farm does his best to help calves in need find safe spots. He reached out to Iowa Farm Sanctuary, letting them know about this calf.
And guess what? Iowa Farm Sanctuary reached out to us at just the right time. Sunflower needs a friend and Zinnia needs sanctuary.
During the week of June 2, 2025, our Petaluma animal care manager, Jason, will make the trip to pick up Zinnia. Iowa Farm Sanctuary is kindly getting all of Zinnia’s transport paperwork together and will meet Jason in Nebraska!
We are all so very excited to meet her – I hope you are too!
If you would like to support Zinnia’s transport and ongoing care, please consider a donation.
