Cora the Cow
3 videos • 0 views • by Dan McKernan In 2016 I received a message about a calf that needed our help. She was a Free Martin, a phenomenon occurring in cattle when a female is born as a twin with a male, resulting in her being infertile and unable to process milk. This happens in about 90% of mixed-sex twin births in cattle. In the dairy industry, such calves are often considered useless and are auctioned off to be processed as beef, despite their young age. The dairy industry is notorious for factory farming practices, including the separation of calves from their mothers soon after birth, overcrowded living conditions, and a focus on profit over animal welfare. In the United States alone, there are over 9 million dairy cows, with the majority living in factory farms. The woman who contacted us about the calf had managed to outbid all the other buyers at her son’s annual elementary school auction, effectively saving the calf from a short and brutal life in the meat industry. However, she didn't have a farm to take the calf to. That's when we stepped in to help. We worked hard and fast to prepare for her arrival and make sure she would have a happy and safe home on our farm. We soon found out that Cora had a buddy at the original farm she came from named Henry, who was the same age. We thought it would be great for them to stay together, so we brought Henry to our farm too. They became fast friends and enjoyed playing together in the pastures. When Cora arrived, she was only a couple of weeks old and already so sweet and gentle. We realized we didn't know much about taking care of cows, but we treated her like any other companion animal we had known growing up. We quickly fell in love with her and her unique personality, and we knew that we had made the right decision to rescue her. Taking care of Cora and Henry was like an observational study. We learned a lot about cow care and behavior, and the stark contrast between their happy lives on our farm and the lives of cows in factory farms. We were committed to giving them the best possible life. Over time, Cora grew and thrived, and we loved watching her personality develop and seeing her interact with the newest cow residents at Barn Sanctuary. She quickly became the mother of the cows and made sure each new rescue felt at home. Sadly, in the summer of 2022, Cora suffered a severe break in her upper leg, likely due to a freak accident out in the pasture. We did everything we could to save her, but we eventually had to make the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, but I took comfort in the fact that Cora had lived a happy and fulfilling life, surrounded by love and friendship. Even though Cora is no longer with us, her memory lives on at Barn Sanctuary. She was the first cow I ever rescued, and she taught me so much about the importance of animal rescue and the unique personalities and emotions of farmed animals. She will always hold a special place in our hearts, and I’ll never forget the joy and love she brought into our lives. Cora's story highlights the need for change in the dairy and meat industries. Factory farming practices often result in immense suffering for animals like Cora, while more compassionate alternatives exist. Our experience with Cora and Henry opened our eyes to the reality that farmed animals are sentient beings deserving of respect and protection. By sharing Cora's story, we hope to inspire others to learn more about the dairy industry and factory farming practices and to consider making choices that promote animal welfare. As more people become aware of the plight of animals like Cora, the demand for cruelty-free alternatives and ethical farming practices will continue to grow, leading to a kinder and more sustainable world for all beings.