Animal rescue is alive and well in Canada. And as a result, today, so is a dear little innocent sheep.
It's the middle of the day -- your telephone rings, you don't recognize the number, but they're calling on the "animal hotline" so you pick up the call... it's Jules. Formally, Julie Kaiss, a Canadian rescuer living abroad, who is on a visit home. She's out with her friend Ariel Lang, another long-time extremely seasoned animal rescuer for an afternoon coffee and a catch up visit.
Now, you really can't make this up. Jules calls to advise they're on Birchmount Avenue, and they've driven by a store that has a sheep tied up out front. A sheep, in the middle of Toronto? Oh lord...it can't be good news.
They're not sure what to do. They call the OSPCA, who advised, apparently, that it was "out of their jurisdiction" -- that's the Ontario Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals...Toronto's in Ontario, right? We all thought it was a no-brainer, but apparently not. Thankfully, Toronto Animal Services was rather more forthcoming. They said they'd attend immediately.
Meanwhile, the rescuers are panicking. They know the sheep won't come to any good end. They canvass the neighbours, and sure enough, find out the sheep is being "fattened for slaughter." Never mind that we're in Toronto, we're supposed to be civilized, this is 2012, and certainly, no farm animals should be in the city. The girls are compromised, they only have an international cell phone to work with. We briefly discuss what can be done, legally. They ask me to put a notice out on Facebook to any rescuers in the area who might be available to transport immediately. They ask for recommends for sanctuaries -- who's available? Can you get calls out? You betcha.
More outreach to the marvellous folk at TAS: Does this animal have any rights? What's our legal baseline? What can TAS do? Insiders advise almost immediately, it's "an illegal animal." They confirm someone is dispatched right away.
On the scene, the girls had the presence of mind to make a cash offer for the animal. The owners, upon being read the riot act from TAS, see this as the best way out and they surrender the animal for $150.00. Ariel and Jules pile the sheep into the back of their car and get the hell out of there with the little girl sheep in the backseat before anyone changes their minds.
Two hours later, the rescuers call in. "Babe" is now in Ariel's back yard in Scarborough, eating grass, awaiting transport to Wishing Well Sanctuary. Thank god Wishing Well responded quickly, and had room. Thank god Jules and Ariel had the presence of mind to make a cash offer and save the sheep. And thank god, the owners buckled under the pressure and gave her up.
This is what happens every day, all day, in animal rescue in Ontario, and straight across Canada.
What would you do if you saw a sheep on Birchmount Avenue, tied up outside a store? Would you think it unusual? Would you care enough to inquire or step in? Thankfully these seasoned, caring rescuers knew what to do, and did it.
Another life saved. Well done, Ariel. Well done Jules. Seriously, well done. So grateful to the rescue community for having their eyes open, not to mention their beautiful hearts.
When was the last time that you went without food or water for 24, 36 hours? Probably never. And yet that is the lot of most animals that are shipped. I find it inconceivable that most of the human population thinks that is ok 'because they are farm animals' and yet would be quick to jump on the bandwagon, screaming animal abuse if it is done to a cat or a dog.
I am surprised this is still practiced in Canada, seriously are we this barbaric?
I am really surprised Canada has allowed this sort of barbaric ritual to continue here, we should be far more civilized than this!!!
In no way do I condone animal cruelty, but I do believe that Toronto, and any city for that mater, can remain 'civilized' while allowing farm animals to live within the city limits. In fact there are arguably many benefits to allowing livestock to share our urban environment. Todays fast food consuming citizens are so far removed from the realities of food production they have trouble knowing what a carrot or potato plant looks like. Creating a connection to our food sources can result in a greater respect for the animals that are a part of it, but is not likely to happen if our daily lives are far removed from the realities of food production.
What about this cool idea? http://citygrazing.com/
While I in no way condone animal cruelty, I believe that Toronto, and every city for that matter, can still remain civilized while allowing farm animals to live within it's boundaries. In fact as some commenters have pointed out below, there can be an argument made for the benefits that sheep or goats or chickens or other livestock can provide to the urban environment.
The myth that an animal is always subject to cruel living conditions in an urban living arrangement is absurd and close minded.
Check out these cool ideas that provide lawn care solutions!
http://www.californiagrazing.com/
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/herds-for-hire-rent-goats-to-m-149588
The state of our industrial food system (which has it's share of animal cruelty) has resulted in a population of fast food consuming citizens that are so far removed from their food sources they don't even know what a potato plant looks like. If we are to learn respect for the life of farm animals, wouldn't it be best to regularly engage with them on a level beyond our plate?
As for the moralizing about farm animals in the city, I'd like to point out that not everyone, or every city, shares your concern.
They did that, now what can you do to ease the tremendous sea of suffering rousim?