Daisy Belle arrived at SASHA Farm at just 7 days old. She stood barely two feet tall and weighed 35 lbs, smaller than a Golden Retriever. Daisy Belle was a byproduct of the dairy industry. She was born a twin on a local dairy farm where she and her brother had been forcibly taken from their mother. When it was discovered that Daisy Belle was not only extremely small for a calf but that she was also born infertile, the farmer knew she held no value to the farm production. She was a financial loss in their eyes. (Roughly 90% of females that are born as a twin are infertile.) As such, Daisy Belle was locked away in a small outdoor pen, left to die by starvation and neglect. 

     The dairy industry is cruel. They break up the bonds that mother cows and their babies naturally form together at birth. These mothers are forcibly impregnated giving birth year after year. They are enslaved to produce milk not for their babies but for greedy, ignorant and misinformed adult humans and children. Humans no more need cow breast milk than they need giraffe breast milk or dog breast milk. Mother cows are depleted of all their energy and life at the young age of five or six, although they can live 20 years or more, naturally. As for their children, the female calves have similar fates as their mothers and the male calves are typically sent to veal farms or sold off to be raised for their flesh. 

      Fortunately for Daisy Belle, one kind-hearted woman stood up for the mistreatment of this little calf. After observing the farmer dump her in a pen with no food or water, neglecting and depriving her every basic need, this woman convinced the farmer to give Daisy Belle a second chance. She gained the rights to Daisy Belle and gave her veterinary treatment immediately. The vets determined that Daisy Belle had developed pneumonia and would be touch and go. Unfortunately, animals who experience pneumonia at a young age are much more likely to develop it as a chronic illness in their adult lives. Soon thereafter Daisy Belle?s rescuer brought her to us at SASHA Farm Animal Sanctuary. With years of experience, SASHA Farm (being the largest farm animal sanctuary in the Midwest) provides the best possible care for animals in need. We immediately began round the clock bottle feedings and regular monitoring for our newest resident. An initial vet examination confirmed that Daisy Belle was indeed infertile but also had a poor suckle reflex which was causing fluid to occasionally get into her lungs. Having to rely on milk replacer, which lacks natural antibodies from the mother, she was also more susceptible to developing pneumonia again. For several more weeks Daisy Belle fought infections and fevers. We later learned that she also had developed congenital cataracts, which will deplete her vision as she gets older.

     Daisy Belle is such a survivor and doing extremely well now! She is nearly five months old and weighs around 200 lbs! She?s weaned off the bottle and eats grass hay and supplemental grain. Her energy is contagious and SO playful! She absolutely loves people and will chew on everything! We often catch her kicking up her heels in the air, giving her potbelly pig friend, Puck, a slicked backed hair-do, or running full blast across the pasture just for fun. At night she settles in her own private stall with straw bedding and a cozy heat lamp. We are currently halter training her so that she?ll feel more comfortable when she needs to be seen by a vet and to help as an aid when she gets older and begins to lose more vision from the congenital cataracts. This design represents her story and where she came from. Because one person chose compassion, Daisy Belle now lives free from cruelty. She will never have to experience fear or unnecessary pain and suffering. If you choose to live compassionately by leaving animals and their byproducts off your plate, you hold the power to alleviate immeasurable suffering. Daisy Belle represents just one of the billions of animals who are currently trapped in cages, afraid for their lives and exploited for their bodies. By wearing this design, you can represent Daisy Belle and raise awareness for all the others who still need rescuing. Please help us raise funding to ensure Daisy Belle will continue to live a healthy and comfortable life here at SASHA Farm. All proceeds will go towards her medical care, food, shelter and all other necessities that come along during her life. Thank you all so much!  

http://sashafarm.org

Proceeds benefit SASHA Farm Animal Sanctuary