JO
In January of 2020, Woodstock Sanctuary got word that a small-scale dairy farm in upstate New York was auctioning off 80 cows and closing their farm. We reached out to see if the farm’s operators would find it in their hearts to save a few lives. They agreed to let us take in two older cows, one who was seven years old and one who was 12 years old. When we arrived at the barn, we noticed right away the terrible conditions. Not only was the barn itself falling apart, but the 80 cows were chained to poles by their necks, forced to sleep on concrete, and had visible, open sores on their hips from not having anywhere comfortable to lay. They were also mostly underweight. One of the most upsetting parts – newborn calves were chained to a wall behind all of the cows. They could still see their babies, but they could not groom them, cuddle them, or love them.
Jo before rescue, at the dairy farm she was at.
Our Marketing Director Lizz with Jo when she was first brought to the animal hospital.
When we first met Jo, the seven-year-old, her eyes were wide with fear and she was severely underweight. Aph, the 12-year-old, was afraid of human touch. When we safely got them to the animal hospital for immediate medical care, we noticed their eyes beginning to soften and their nervousness fading away. We were so happy they were safe, and we couldn’t wait to bring them home to Woodstock Sanctuary.
The vets at the hospital discovered Aph had a mastitis infection so severe that she required a full mastectomy. In the emergency surgery, her vitals began to drop, and although the vets did everything they could for her, she sadly didn’t make it through. We were so heartbroken, but had to stay strong for Jo. Soon after, Jo made it to Woodstock Sanctuary and was able to run happily in a pasture for the first time in her life.
Jo has been doing better than ever. She has bonded with the cow herd and can be found spending time with her pals Mikey and Maybelle or roaming freely in the woods behind the barn. Aph lives on in Jo and we miss her every day.
Jo soon after she arrived to Woodstock Farm Sanctuary.
Jo, happy and liberated at Woodstock Sanctuary, summer 2020.
In June of 2020, Woodstock Sanctuary launched their dairy industry awareness campaign in honor of Jo’s rescue story, www.MeetJo.org. Sign the pledge to be dairy free and get a free Jo sticker!
Jo is named after internationally-acclaimed photojournalist, animal activist, and founder of We Animals, Jo-Anne McArthur. Aph was named after writer, vegan, and founder of Black Vegans Rock, Aph Ko.
Jo’s curious about cell phones!