Oracle
On a fateful August day in 2023, we received a report of a lost sheep named Oracle. Her story is one of mystery and perseverance, a testament to the compassion that drives our mission.
Reports of sheep sightings had been circulating throughout Beacon (a neighboring town) since May, with whispers of a sheep wandering on Mt. Beacon. These sightings, though numerous, remained unconfirmed to be Oracle. In July, a glimmer of hope appeared as a similar-looking sheep was spotted on Mt. Beacon, but Oracle was never seen with another sheep, and her identity remained uncertain.
Then, a breakthrough. A photo of Oracle emerged from the St Luke Cemetery, a place that became her temporary home. A kind-hearted neighbor of the cemetery took it upon themselves to watch over her and assist in our rescue efforts. But Oracle proved to be elusive, and despite their best efforts, she couldn't be contained.
Oracle at the cemetery in Beacon.
We reached out to local authorities, including the police and animal organizations, and spoke to countless neighbors in Beacon. Astonishingly, there were no reports of anyone claiming to have lost a sheep, and there were no other sheep in the cemetery or its immediate vicinity. We even contacted the local DEC farm, the closest official farm down 9D, but nothing could be confirmed regarding the earlier stories of missing sheep. It was becoming increasingly clear that Oracle had been abandoned.
The rescue trailer left on the cemetery.
Over the course of a month, dedicated local volunteers, led by the unwavering neighbor Genevieve, embarked on a mission to befriend Oracle and gain her trust. She cautiously ate from Genevieve's hand, ventured onto the trailer, but remained wary of others. Oracle's diet improved, with her enjoying pellets and having access to fresh, clean water. Remarkably, there were no reports of injuries or issues during this period.
Finally, on September 11th, after a month of tireless efforts, Oracle was successfully contained in our trailer and transported to Woodstock Farm Sanctuary. Her story is a testament to the resilience of animals and the unwavering dedication of our team and the community. We're committed to giving Oracle the care, respect, and sanctuary she deserves as we continue to advocate for the welfare of all creatures.
Oracle shortly after joining the flock.
Oracle free roaming with the flock.
So far, she has integrated very well with our main sheep flock and has grown attached to Nora the sheep- a shy but sweet friend. Oracle can now be found happily grazing along her new friends in their pasture and cozying up to Nora in the barn.