RAVENNA, Ohio — The Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County and Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary reported they had to rescue 12 animals from a Northeast Ohio farm after receiving reports the animals were no longer being given proper care.
Happy Trails leaders told News 5 animals were found standing in inches deep manure, in a cobweb-filled, pitch-dark barn.
The agency reported its team members got to work helping the three ponies, one donkey, five goats, one alpaca, a rooster, and a hen that had been contained within small makeshift pens for months. The Trumbull county farm owner could face criminal charges.
Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary Executive Director Laurie Jackson said Northeast Ohio animals left in poor living conditions are a chronic and growing problem. Jackson said over the past six years, Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary has rescued more than 900 animals, many of which have been adopted out to loving families.
Jackson said all the animals have been signed over to the custody of her agency and are actively in the process of rehabilitation.
She said rehabilitation for the 12 animals includes veterinarian visits, wool shearing, vaccinations, de-worming, farrier appointments, teeth-floating, feed, and bedding.
“The animals had not been well socialized, so it was a process to get halters on and lead them to our trailer,” Jackson said. “A week later, these resilient animals had already made a lot of progress in socialization.”
Anyone interested in adopting one of the recently rescued animals, or any of the horses, pigs, goats, or poultry currently in residence at HTFAS, are encouraged to visit theHappy Trails website and fill out an adoption application.
