How Three Dairy Calves Found Safety at Sale Ranch
At Sale Ranch Animal Sanctuary, compassion drives everything we do. Whiskey, Waffles, and Walnut, three dairy calves, found safety here after a life-threatening ordeal. Thanks to the kindness of a farmhand and our dedicated team, they received a second chance.
A Rescue Against the Odds
Seven calves faced certain death at an organic dairy farm. By the time help arrived, one calf had already passed. The remaining six, including Whiskey, Waffles, and Walnut, were rushed to UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine for emergency care.
The calves were critically ill, having missed out on the colostrum necessary to build their immune systems. Despite the veterinary team’s best efforts, one more calf didn’t make it. However, five calves—including Whiskey, Waffles, and Walnut—survived and began their long road to recovery.
The Road to Recovery: From UC Davis to Sale Ranch
After receiving life-saving care at UC Davis, the three calves came to Sale Ranch Animal Sanctuary. Two others found refuge at another sanctuary. Once at Sale Ranch, Whiskey, Waffles, and Walnut remained fragile and required round-the-clock care. They spent weeks in quarantine, receiving medical attention until they grew strong enough to move into their permanent pasture.
Why We Save Farm Animals: Sentient Beings, Not Products
Farm animals like Whiskey, Waffles, and Walnut are sentient beings. They feel joy, pain, and love. They form deep bonds and can suffer emotionally and physically, just like humans. Yet, the dairy industry treats these calves as commodities.
Female cows are impregnated, give birth, and have their calves taken from them. While female calves continue this cycle, male calves are discarded—raised for veal or slaughtered within days of birth. Without sanctuaries like Sale Ranch, many male calves never live beyond their first days.
A New Beginning at Sale Ranch
Today, Whiskey, Waffles, and Walnut are thriving. Here’s what makes each of them special:
- Whiskey loves to play and interact with visitors. He enjoys getting his favorite scritches.
- Waffles, born blind, has adapted well. He is a gentle soul and a self-appointed ambassador.
- Walnut, despite a heart condition, enjoys a peaceful life. He spends his days napping under the pepper trees and playing with his brothers.
Support Their Journey: Join Us for Giving Tuesday
Whiskey, Waffles, and Walnut’s rescue shows how small acts of kindness can transform lives. But we need your help to care for animals like them. Support Sale Ranch this Giving Tuesday and help us provide the care these animals deserve.
Click here to make a difference this Giving Tuesday! Your donation will be matched, doubling the impact and helping us save even more lives.
