How a community of law enforcement and nonprofits came together
Earlier this month, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) responded to a call concerning starving and dead animals at a Grass Valley property. When an officer arrived, he discovered multiple dead and sick animals.
NCSO’s Animal Control Division responded to check on the animals. What they discovered was heartbreaking. Animals were in various stages of distress and poor health; many were starving, and fourteen were found dead on the property. Three more animals had to be compassionately euthanized by the county’s veterinary specialist. Another four passed from their ailments.
All surviving animals were confiscated, including 80+ sheep (many pregnant), 32 goats, 30 chickens, 9 pigs, two calves, several equines, dogs, 1 cat, and 1 rabbit.
The owner was arrested for eight felony counts of animal cruelty. He claimed to be opening an animal rescue.
The goats, sheep, and calves were moved to a county-owned property, where volunteers from the Nevada County Sheriff’s HEART team invested more than 700 hours of animal care. Sammie’s Friends took in the nine pigs, dogs, and the rabbit; two other facilities assisted with the equines and chickens.
We provided emergency foster placement for a ewe who gave birth. Because there was a small risk that the animals might be returned to the prior owner, we waited until animal control had official custody.
Thankfully, all animals were signed over and we could offer more substantial assistance.
This week, 28 goats and two calves arrived at our sanctuary. They have been well cared for by the county’s volunteers, but still need time to recover and heal. Four goats are pregnant, and many still suffer from ORF* and respiratory illnesses. Once it is safe, they will be available for adoption! Several sanctuaries, including Rancho Compassion, Kim’s Nurturing Nest, and two private rescues, will adopt or foster some of the goats. Rory’s Pond is taking the two calves.
We also partnered with NCSO’s Animal Control division to provide housing, feed, and bedding to 30 of the sheep (many pregnant) at another one of our properties. The agency will retain custody, and its volunteers will clean the stalls and lock the animals up at night. We are so grateful to Nevada County Animal Services, Sammie’s Friends, and HEART for giving these animals the care and attention they deserve.
We are hopeful that as goats find forever homes and the sheep get healthier, we can intake and help place the sheep as well.
How You Can Help
Donate! A generous donor, Jann, has pledged $20,000 in match funds. Every donation you make doubles and goes toward the care of these animals. This includes food, bedding, medical care, fencing improvements, and biosecurity tools.
Apply to Adopt! Once healthy and with our veterinarian’s approval, goats and sheep will be available for adoption. All available goats are CAE/CL/Johne’s negative, vaccinated, and dewormed. All males are neutered. We will consider homes in Northern California and southern Oregon.
*ORF is a virus that can cause lesions around the mouth, ears, and teats of goats and sheep. It can be transmitted to humans, so good biosecurity during infection is essential. The virus is self-limiting, resolving in 3-8 weeks, and animals often go on to live normal lives.
