A Look Inside This Week’s Farm Call

This week, our veterinary team came out to Winding Branch Ranch for a full farm call. These visits are essential to the health of the animals who call the sanctuary home.

A farm call means more than a routine checkup. It includes travel, time on-site, vaccines, hoof care, diagnostics, and individualized attention for animals who need extra support. It’s one of the most important ways we ensure every animal here is receiving the care they deserve.

This visit covered a lot of ground.

Routine Care Across the Sanctuary

All of our sheep and goats received their annual vaccines and general wellness checks. These preventative measures are critical to keeping the herd healthy and avoiding larger issues down the road.

Our team also worked through routine care across species, making sure everything from body condition to mobility and behavior is where it should be.

Eeyore’s Care Plan

We spent time evaluating Eeyore, who is getting older and beginning to slow down.

At this stage, the goal is comfort and stability. His care plan includes close monitoring and small adjustments to his diet to support his overall health. We’ll continue to keep a close eye on him and adjust as needed.

Levi’s Recovery

Levi is back at the sanctuary following his recent surgery and is recovering well.

He’s being monitored closely, but everything is progressing as it should. Moments like this are a reminder of how important follow-through care is after a procedure. Getting an animal through surgery is one step. Supporting their recovery is just as critical.

Winnie’s Next Chapter

One of the most important conversations during this farm call was about Winnie.

Winnie is already a tripod, but she still has part of her remaining leg. When she first arrived, she was younger and still growing. Now that she’s fully grown, the situation has changed.

She has started trying to use what remains of that leg to get up and down. Unfortunately, this is causing her original wound to reopen, creating a cycle that will not resolve on its own.

After evaluating her, the veterinary team believes the best and safest path forward is a full amputation.

This is not a decision made lightly. But Winnie does not need that portion of her leg, and she is strong and capable on the others. Removing it will prevent ongoing injury and pain, and give her the best chance at a stable, healthy life moving forward.

Why This Work Matters

Farm calls like this are where the day-to-day reality of rescue work comes into focus.

It is preventative care. It is monitoring. It is making thoughtful, sometimes difficult decisions that prioritize long-term quality of life.

Every animal here has a story. And every one of them deserves the level of care that ensures their future is not defined by their past.

This visit was one more step in that work.