26 Animals Rescued From Middlesex Farm From Bitter Cold, Storm

Twenty six farm animals-including chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep, a cow and an alpaca-are safe and resting inside the barn at the MSPCA-Nevins Farm, rescued from the bitter cold that preceded the worst snowfall to hit the region so far this year.

On Dec. 27, the animals were brought from this central Massachusetts property in Middlesex County to Nevins Farm, immediately taken into the barn to warm up and wait to be checked out by veterinarians.

"Some of the animals are in rough shape, with various illnesses that we'll need to treat-but the primary issue is that they did not have adequate shelter to protect against the bitter cold, which resulted in a collapse of their collective health," said Mike Keiley, director of adoption centers and programs at the MSPCA-Angell, in a statement.

Investigators think that the previous owner was trying to establish a working farm, but lacked the experience and expertise to do so. The animals include 13 chickens, two rabbits, four goats, three sheep, one six-month-old cow, an alpaca and two guinea fowl. Some of the animals are underweight and others are suffering from irritating but treatable issues such as parasites and worms, said the announcement.

"Fortunately, we can treat these illnesses and, with food and warm shelter, the animals should recover," said Keiley, who, alongside the team at Nevins Farm, spent the last few days cordoning off space in the barn now packed with some 91 animals awaiting new homes. "The new arrivals increased our population by 25 percent-which is especially challenging given that the harsh winter will no doubt lead to more farm animal surrenders in the coming months."The MSPCA is soliciting donations to help offset the care for the animals, which is likely to reach into the thousands when medicines, food and ongoing daily care are added together."

Anyone who wishes to donate toward the care of these animals, and others like them, can donate here.

In addition to donations to help cover the cost of treating the animals, the MSPCA-Nevins Farm is hoping adopters, particularly those who have experience keeping farm animals as pets, may step forward to bring one or some of the animals home."We'd love to see these animals re-homed as companions for those who have the proper facilities so they can be comfortable and safe no matter the weather," added Keiley in a statement

Anyone who wishes to adopt can email farmadoptions@mspca.org.

Photo and information via MSPCA