To Teddy, he may simply be one lucky calf, but to us he is so much more.
Meet Teddy, to him, he may be just like every other rescue. Rescued alongside two other calves, Albert and Oscar, they all narrowly escaped slaughter.
To us, however, Teddy marks a very momentous moment in our mission.
Teddy was born into this world as the byproduct of his mother’s milk production. To the industry, his life was worth nothing more than the milk it allowed his mother to make. His future was uncertain, but likely grim.
Just like humans, female cows need to give birth to produce milk. As a result, each year in Australia, over 400,000 calves are born on dairy farms and are deemed as “waste” or “surplus”.
You might wonder why these calves are considered unviable. Well, they cannot be used for future breeding or milk production. With so many calves being born, it becomes unfeasible for dairy farmers to raise all of these calves to a valuable size to be sold at market for a worthwhile value.
Teddy, being male, would have likely been killed within days—sometimes by a single, brutal blow to the head. Or are sent to slaughter within weeks. If he was “lucky” he would be raised for veal, his life then cut short before his first birthday.
What “life” is this?
However, thanks to the generous support of our donors, Teddy’s fate was turned, and he was rescued by our team.
Albert, Oscar and Teddy were taken safely into short-term foster care. Before moving on to their forever home, where they will be loved and cherished as companions, not commodities.
Teddy is a gentle soul, whose shy demeanour melts as soon as a tasty snack or reassuring pat are involved. He is deserving of so much love, and we are so grateful he will have the life he deserves.
Teddy marks a huge milestone for ‘Til The Cows Come Home. He is the 10,000th adoption. That’s 10,000 lives taken in or saved from often horrific or heartbreaking fates, that have all been rehomed into loving and caring forever homes.
Teddy is more than a rescue calf. He is the symbol of change, the vision of compassion and the embodiment of love.
