Compassionate Neighbors Save Junior the Calf from Slaughter
Animal Stories from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Animal Place
December 2013

Not only that, but Paul and his family made the connection between Junior and other cows...he did not act to save only Junior, he changed his own behavior to help other animals by not eating them.

Junior is safe at Animal Place, and all of us here are celebrating one family in northern California who lived up to Animal Place's motto of putting compassion into action.

When Paul Dawson noticed a lonely calf roaming the open space behind his home, he became concerned about the animal's welfare. And instead of doing nothing, Paul and his family took action! Along with neighbors Mike and Lori, they began feeding the calf and when they finally found the farm from which the calf came, they learned what his fate would be - slaughter. In fact, the farmer's aunt and uncle planned on eating the beautiful bovine in a year! Lucky for newly named Junior, the farmer was unable to catch the calf and Paul did not give up on helping the calf.

The family contacted Animal Place, asking if we could take the calf in. Of course we wanted to help! We were especially moved when Paul notified us that because of Junior, he had stopped eating animals. The biggest challenge would be convincing the farmer to let Junior come live out his life at Animal Place.

Paul approached the farmer, who refused to sign custody of Junior over to us. According to the farmer, "cattle were meant to be eaten". Paul persisted, though, and convinced the farmer that it would be impossible to catch Junior so why not just sign custody over to Paul instead? Realizing Junior was taking up too much of his time and energy, the farmer signed custody over to Paul...who then transferred guardianship over to Animal Place!

Our staff headed out to the neighborhood near the open space where Junior was fending for himself. We set up a special corral in the pasture for Paul to lure Junior into. While Junior was a little nervous around us, he immediately recognized Paul and rushed up for some treats. It took a little convincing, but Junior was locked up in the corral - safe from predators. The next morning, our team from Grass Valley drove the 2+ hours to Junior's location and easily loaded the calf up into our trailer.

Junior has a future ahead of him, a group of rescued bovines to make friends with, and all the love and compassion he wants! He is alive because one family, one person, saw a frightened, lonely animal and did something. Not only that, but Paul and his family made the connection between Junior and other cows...he did not act to save only Junior, he changed his own behavior to help other animals by not eating them.

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