During the summer a touching news story broke about a farmer who sent their cows off to a sanctuary in the UK. But who this farmer was remained a mystery.
Retiring Cork farmer decides not to have cows slaughtered and saves them instead https://t.co/pg4CUIcXkX pic.twitter.com/A3MNgbkwKq
— FarmIreland.ie (@farm_ireland) September 25, 2017
But now we know exactly who this kind-hearted farmer was. Seventy-year-old Jill Smith from Carrigaline Co. Cork was forced to part with the cows on her farm after a sustained injury made it incredibly difficult to continue milking them.
After years of milking on the farm, Jill teamed up with Charlies Equine Rescue in Co. Wexford who assisted in setting up a gofundme page which enabled Jill to send, so far, half of her 70-cow herd to Hillside Animal Sanctuary in Norwich, UK.
Here the cows will enjoy retirement and live out the rest of their days – avoiding the slaughterhouse – after years of being milked.
The crowdfunding was also helped by Co. Clare musician Sharon Shannon, who after performing trad for the cows and viewers on Facebook, donations went beyond the €6,500 target. How adorable!
According to the Irish Examiner, Jill explained that some people thought she should just sell the animals, but 99 percent were supportive. She said,
“Money never worried me, thanks be to God.”
“I can retire with peace of mind now, knowing they will live out their days together.”
“Even the first load are gone, I miss a few of the faces looking at me, but I feel they’re having a better life where they are now.”
“I would love to go [to visit] when I get a chance. Cattle never forget you. They know your voice. They will remember you forever, in a nice way.”
Hold back the tears…
