By Chris R.
We received a message on a sunny
June day - a big frightened Dorper, who had eluded rangers for many
months, had finally been caught and was now facing euthanasia. He had been
seen wandering around the Bullsbrook area for some time, until finally
captured at a sheep farm where he had been looking for friends. With no
ear tags and without an owner coming forward to claim him, Stocko’s future was
bleak. The rangers had contacted a local vet clinic to organise Stocko’s
euthanasia, when the staff discussed the possibility of him finding Sanctuary. With time of the essence, a plan was hatched to bring Stocko to the Valley of
Hope. Within the hour, the big, boisterous black and white ovine was
delivered to safety.
Once at the Sanctuary, Stocko was
quarantined, vaccinated and his castration planned. The risk of tetanus
for castration procedures is significant for rams, so it was important his immunity
was high before embarking on the procedure. It was hoped castration would
settle Stocko and reduce the risk of him escaping once again. The procedure
went smoothly and Stocko was home the same day, a little groggy, but happy to find
his dinner bowl full of treats.
After three days of TLC in confinement,
he was finally released to explore his permanent paddock. Met by a group
of boys all with similar stories, Stocko was sniffed and gently nudged by his
new friends. There was baa-ing aplenty as his new roomies became acquainted,
before the gang settled down in the straw for the night.
With frog song filling
the air and the last rays of sunshine dipping behind the hills, Stocko relaxed
and rested with his new lamb fam. He may not have wild adventures ahead, but
Stocko now looks forward to some peace and quiet and a whole lot of love.
Welcome to the Valley of Hope
Stocko!
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