Found frail and undernourished in a petting zoo, Florence was rescued and lovingly hand-raised. Now, this sweet girl is searching for her forever home and a bovine best friend.
Since the early 1990s, mobile petting zoos have been part of Australia’s history as a form of “entertainment” or “education”. Often found in shopping centres, agricultural shows, carnivals or educational institutions. These petting zoo displays can run for up to 14 consecutive days at a time, and beyond with approval.
Baby animals are primarily the highlight of petting zoos, drawing crowds with their tiny features and cute faces. Against their will, baby animals are picked up, chased, cornered, held, and at times even dropped during these petting zoo events. The animals at these events endure the loud sounds of music, the screams of excited children, and other noise pollution – all of which causes great stress to these animals. 💔
As baby animals mature, they lose their “cute” appeal, making them less attractive to the young children who are the primary audience of petting zoos. At the same time, they become more expensive to feed, house, and care for.
Then there is the question: what happens to the animals that outgrow the petting zoo environment? The outcome for these animals varies between companies. Some animals take part in a breeding program or are kept, while others are sold for various uses or, in some cases, slaughtered. This is the heartbreaking hidden reality of the petting zoo industry when animals are no longer useful to the business. The cycle then continues as these animals are replaced by new baby animals.
Like many animals before her, Florence was barely one week old when she was put in a petting zoo. At one glance, a bystander could see she was clearly undernourished and vulnerable; she was already experiencing the harsh realities of existing as a commodity in a petting zoo.
The sadness in Florence’s eyes couldn’t be overlooked as this bystander offered to take this little calf. Through this individual act of kindness, Florence’s future began to look brighter instantly. Florence was hand-fed by her rescuer, and she began to flourish into the beautiful girl she is today.
While Florence’s family gave her a wonderful start to life and provided her with a safe haven, she is now ready to find her forever home. Farm animals are at a high risk of being rehomed to someone who views them as commodities.
Thanks to the kind support and generosity of donors, ‘Til The Cows is able to offer a safe rehoming service for farm animals, ensuring they do not end up in the wrong hands and will continue to be cherished as companions, not commodities.
Keep reading to learn more about Florence.
Meet Florence, a beautiful-natured and affectionate cow who is ready to capture your heart.
Florence’s story began in a petting zoo, where she was found at just a week old – undernourished and in desperate need of care. Thankfully, a compassionate family stepped in, rescuing her and lovingly bottle-raising her.
Florence has grown into a friendly, confident girl who trusts and absolutely adores human company. However, she now needs a new home that is more suitable for her.
Florence is incredibly sociable and will happily come when called. She thrives on interaction, and her absolute favourite things are a gentle rub behind the ears or a sweet scratch on her nose. She gets very excited to see her humans, especially if she suspects you are bringing her food! Because of her eagerness for treats, she has a habit of affectionately nudging with her horns. While she means no harm, this is something to be mindful of during feeding times.
Florence currently shares her paddock with two pet sheep and gets along wonderfully with the family dog. However, as much as she loves her animal friends, her greatest need is a home where she can experience the companionship of her own kind.
Florence is looking for a forever home with an existing cow (one or more) where she can bond, share pastures, and live out her days safely and happily. If you are looking for a beautiful, affectionate girl to complete your pasture, Florence will bring endless joy to your life.
Could Florence be the missing piece in your herd and your heart? 🤎
If you think that you could provide Florence with a loving home, please contact us and start your adoption journey today.
By opening your home to Florence, you not only gain the joy of adding a companion to your life, but your decision to adopt also has a life-changing impact on the lives of other rescue animals. For every animal adopted, another can be rescued.
🤎 Florence’s new home must have other companion cows (or at least one) for her to bond with.
🐮 Florence has horns, so adopters with children must be mindful of the accidental injuries they can cause. Interactions with kids are best over a fence and should be carefully managed by an adult. A vet can also trim the tip of the horn, which is known as “Horn Tipping”. This procedure is non-invasive and just removes the sharp points.
🚚 Transport to be determined upon adoption application. The adopter will need to contribute to transport costs, which will be discussed before the adoption is accepted. Adoption donation applies.
