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Owen Woolson

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Buddha

Birthdate: 22 August 2020   Arrival date: 24 August 2020

 

As a significant cold front rolled in across the region and we were doing all we could to stay warm indoors, our thoughts went out to the thousands of lambs who have just entered the world and are facing the freezing conditions as extremely vulnerable newborns.

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​Owen Woolson was born a large lamb, but his size and strength didn't spare him almost becoming one of the millions of lambs who succumb to exposure shortly after being born.  Found on a rural road with no sheep in sight, Owen was taken into care.  Now he is safe at Little Oak Farm Animal Sanctuary, he is warm, but millions of his brothers and sisters aren't as fortunate.

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The Australian sheep industry estimates that more than 10 million lambs die within 48 hours of birth, with an average mortality rate of 25% for lambs up to the age they are weaned.

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Humans aren't designed to be able to relate to such large numbers.  In a condition known as "psychic numbing". "As the number of victims in a tragedy increases, our empathy, our willingness to help, reliably decreases." Dr Paul Slovic.

It's often the story of the individual cow who breaks free from the slaughterhouse, the chicken who runs to freedom hearing of their impending doom, or the lamb who is found lost, wandering on the road.  These individual stories help us make a connection, to expand our circle of compassion to their plight.  Through their story we an appreciate the suffering of the others in their place.

This is why Little Oak Sanctuary does the work that we do.  It's hard to comprehend 10 million newborn lambs being exposed to the bitter winter elements.  It's easier to feel for compassion for Owen, an individual who faced this and survived by chance and extend the compassion you feel for him to the others suffering just the same.

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You can support Owen by becoming his sponsor below.

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Help Protect Sheep

Far from how they are commonly portrayed, sheep are highly intelligent individuals who will form friendships with particular other sheep.  Despite their gentle nature and capacity to suffer as any other animal, sheep aren't protected by the same laws as dogs and cats. 'Codes of Practice' side-step the rules, meaning that painful procedures can be undertaken without pain relief, and their lives are routinely ended well before their natural lifespan has been reached.  It doesn't have to be this way.

When you sponsor a Little Oak lamb or sheep you will be helping protect all sheep. Your sponsorship will support Little Oak's essential advocacy work – sharing the stories of individual sheep and the plight of their kind across the nation. 

 

Sponsor today, and we'll take you on a journey to learn more about sheep through our regular updates - exclusive only to our monthly sponsors. We'll also keep you up to date on how your monthly gifts are helping to secure a brighter future for the sheep at Little Oak, and their kind across Australia.

Your contribution

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$25

Buys a bale of hay

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$50

vet care for a lamb or elderly sheep

Most

Popular

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$75

Feed and vet care for the flock

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Sponsor Owen as a gift


Looking for a unique gift idea?  We offer Gift Sponsorships via a one off payment, perfect for an animal lover. 

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