Two incredible organizations dedicated to animal rescue and advocacy have partnered up to rescue some very special sheep and goats. The animals – previously headed for the slaughterhouse – are now safe, and many of the sheep will be used as unique “therapy sheep.”
Peace 4 Animals and The Sheep Heal Project worked together to save the lives of 10 American Blackbelly sheep and 5 Boer goats from a farm in southern California this month.
“It was an emergency situation,” said Fia Perera, co-founder of The Sheep Heal Project. “Fortunately, with the help of Peace 4 Animals, we were able to save them from the horrors that they would have been subjected to at the slaughterhouse.”
Blackbelly sheep – also known as Barbados Blackbelly sheep, native to the Caribbean island of Barbados – were nearly extinct in the US in 2004. Fewer than 100 remained – and only 12 of these were rams. After intensive management and careful breeding, there are now over 3,000 of these stunning sheep.
“We are thrilled to know that the rescued Blackbelly sheep and Boer goats are now safe,” said Katie Cleary, founder of Peace 4 Animals and World Animal News. “When we received a call to help these beautiful animals who just recovered from the brink of extinction, we made the decision to help The Sheep Heal Project with the urgent rescue.”
Image Credit: Peace 4 Animals
Peace 4 Animals is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the abuse and murder of animals throughout the world, as well as rescuing domestic animals and a variety of advocacy activities.
The Sheep Heal Project is a unique Californian-based charity that helps both animals and people. They rescue American Blackbelly sheep and utilize their gentle nature to assist people who are undergoing emotional or spiritual challenges or struggling with addiction or PTSD.
“The biggest takeaway from all of this is that because a certain breed of animal has been considered food, does not mean that they are devoid of being highly-intelligent, intuitive, and valuable beings,” said Perera. “While The Sheep Heal Project is rescuing these deserving animals from slaughter, we are also helping people heal. It’s remarkable, necessary, and heartwarming, and we greatly appreciate the support of Peace 4 Animals for helping us heal both animals and people in need.”
