[IMC-Editorial] 145 sheep saved from slaughter!

[Oohmahneefarm at aol.com]

For immediate release: 8/14/03
Contact: Cayce Mell (724) 755-2420
SAVED - 145 sheep released to OohMahNee!
LOVING HOMES AND FUNDING FOR TRANSPORTATION URGENTLY NEEDED!


    Aug. 14, 2003 - OohMahNee has just gained custody of 145 sheep destined 
for slaughter!  The most exciting part of the news is that custody of these 
sheep was signed over willingly after the sheep farmer had a change of heart and 
made the decision that he could no longer send sheep to slaughter.
    "This is the greatest affirmation that anyone and everyone is capable of 
experiencing a change in perception where our relationship to farmed animals 
is concerned, to know that a person who has sanctioned the slaughter of animals 
for many years has finally recognized that their sentience is undeniable just 
fills my heart with such hope." stated Cayce Mell co-founder of OohMahNee.
    The 145 sheep at the Miller Farm were purchased this past year when 
developers came through the area.  Mr. Miller, the farmer who is releasing the 
sheep to OohMahNee describes the situation, "Many people who own farmland are 
being forced to pay an enormous tax unless they prove that they are producing food 
or fiber, my wife and I had farmed sheep before and figured that we could buy 
some sheep and demonstrate that they could produce an income for us of the 
required amount of $25,000 annually which is needed for the tax exemption."
    The sheep were then purchased last fall and the Millers proceeded with 
their plan to breed them and begin selling them to slaughter.  They had an 
unexpected event change their plans and their lives forever.
    "My husband and I discovered several orphaned babies this spring and we 
did what we typically would and brought them to a pen near the house where we 
bottle fed them each day, we just fell in love with these babies and knew they 
would not be going to slaughter I don’t know what it was really but we began 
to question how we could send the others when we suddenly made the connection 
that they are all this lovable and they all have feelings," Barb Miller 
remarked.  "Thankfully our neighbors at OohMahNee assured us that they would help by 
finding good lifelong homes at other sanctuaries for the sheep, we want the 
families to stay together in groups and some of them will stay with us as pets, 
as our family members." 
    OohMahNee is seeking loving life long homes for the sheep who are still 
residing at the Miller Farm. All potential adopters must obtain an adoption 
evaluation form from the OohMahNee office to begin the adoption process.  
OohMahNee is a non-profit farmed animal sanctuary and rescue that was founded in 
1995. The sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, placement, and 
protection of abused, abandoned, neglected, or displaced farmed animals, and 
equally dedicated to advocating compassion through humane education.
    The sanctuary is presently home to over 1,000 rescued farm animals.

OohMahNee Office: (724) 755-2420
oohmahneeoffice at aol.com
####