Throughout the holidays we at Happy Trails do not get a break from animal rescue work — the calls continue to come in. We regularly visit properties with humane officers and sheriff’s departments to offer an opinion on farm animal neglect and cruelty and assist with removing the animals when necessary, meet with people wanting to adopt animals and arrange home visits to approve their homes, check on animals in foster care, plan fundraisers, clean shelters, pick up grain, unload hay and straw, meet with vets for medical appointments, write cruelty reports, and deal with the day-to-day responsibilities that come with working in animal rescue. Since Happy Trails is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, I can’t tell you how many years we have been called out to help with farm animal cruelty cases on major holidays, even on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. And you know what? We wouldn’t change that for the world. We want to be here to help when needed. We want to be a lifeline for both the animals who are suffering as well as for the people who are attempting to help them. That’s what we choose to do.
