Sanctuary Animals

Ferdinand

Our beautiful Ferdinand! It's so amazing how fast he has grown. From a sickly 60lb calf living in my kitchen to several hundred pounds of pure love! Ferdi's breed, the Jersey, is commonly used for the production of dairy. They are known to be smart, curious and very affectionate! But Ferdinand was born with a big problem, he was a boy. Since he could not produce what he was bred for aka...milk, he was sent to auction to be raised as meat. At the sanctuary, Ferdinand gets the chance of a lifetime. Literally. Out of the dozens of calves at the auction that day, I can almost guarantee you that he was the only one given the opportunity to live a full life of love. A life that does not need to worry that a human hand will take it far before its time.

Petey

Petey Peterson and his funny faces! We rescued Petey last year from a farm where he was being fed pasta, Cheerios and chicken scratch. His copper deficiency was so severe, his femur in his rear leg just snapped in half just 3 days after he arrived at Gratitude Gate. He had to go directly into surgery and had 2 rods and 2 pins placed in that leg. Petey's leg healed beautifully and doesn't bother him one bit as he bounces around with his friends in the pasture.

Rosa

Momma, Rosa. The love in her eyes at the approach of hand is beyond heart warming. Rosa came to me with her twin sister, Sophia. While her sister was always outgoing, Rosa remained reserved and chose to watch from a distance. Last year, two of the neighbors dogs brutally attacked our goats killing Rosa's sister, Sophia and her best friend, a disabled fainting goat named Giuseppe. Rosa managed to escape and we found her huddled under the horses bearing deep wounds on her neck. We were devastated but determined to give Rosa what she needed most, a new family. Over the past year and a half, Rosa has made a complete 180 in her personality, leading the way and mentoring each new goat that enters the sanctuary. She is such a beautiful example of how to survive all of the evil in this world by striving to seek out all that is good.

Snickers

Snickers was surrendered to our local SPCA where he remained for over 6 months with no adoption interest even after his adoption fee was waved. Gratitude Gate knew that just because he was a little older didn't mean his life was any less valuable. Since Snickers came to us he has showed us nothing but love and gratitude for his rescue. Knowing how much he loves our goats in the nursery is so heartwarming. When he came to us, we were told he was good with other cats which ended up being the furthest from the truth. We tried so hard to make it work and make him comfortable. And then it happened... Goats, he loves his baby goats! Now he spends his days napping with the babies in nursery and playing with the hay they drop and keeping them company during their rehab. Cat after my own heart! We love you Snickers!

Cari

Cari and her gorgeous dapples. Our only quarter horse, Cari was born across the country in South Dakota and between sale and auction ended up here in Pennsylvania. She has a gentle soul and is curious by nature, always waiting to be told she's beautiful.

Babe and PeeBee

Babe and PeeBee were both at a local auction where hundreds of calves are sold for veal everyday. At only about 3 days of age they were taken from their mothers and thrown in the back of a truck, destined for a short and miserable future. To their unknowing hearts, Gratitude Gate intercepted that fate and provided and opportunity of a lifetime for both of these beautiful boys. Now safe and healthy they can live a full life and teach others just how sweet and smart cows truly are!

Sassy and Nirvana

Sassy and Nirvana are our retired dairy goats,. We brought these two lovely girls home from a local dairy who's operator was getting out of the business due to health reasons. No need to go to auction please! They were full of milk when they came so we have been able to feed our babies without mother's like Rosco and Happy. They will be able to live the rest of their life in peace here at the sanctuary while have also given vital nutrients to our growing rescued boys. Thank you Sassy and Nirvana!

Rosco

Rosco was born with a neurologic disorder that effects his balance and coordination. Very similar to Cerebellar hypoplasia, a condition seen in kittens and sometimes puppies. Rosco's mother was given a medication during pregnancy that caused his condition. He came to us completely helpless but with an incredible will to live. Rosco lives in my house with his goat brother, Happy and watch cat, Snickers... seen snuggling in the background. Rosco's condition is non progressive meaning it can only get better! We are using a successfully proven therapy program to help him walk without the aid of a cart or harness. The strides he has made in the last 6 months are inspiring. We have been working closely with our local vet and scheduled to see a neurologist at University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center next week now that he is old enough to expand his therapy program.

Sheba and Cora

Cora and Sheba are hardworking girls that we rescued from Kentucky where at two years old they were already in their third home and escaping the fences daily. They needed yet another place to live or they would have been euthanized. Livestock guardian dogs are bred to live with and keep watch over their herd at all hours. They create an intense bond with their herd that they will fiercely protect. We have a large population of coyotes that run the back part of the property. They know when they are close and will bark to make their presence known and patrol the fence line to ensure their are no threats. The peace of mind these pups bring to us are priceless.

Tucker

16 years this boy has been with me. He has seen more than I could ever imagine. Kentucky's Best - his given name, raced 85 times on the track and I was his 9th owner by the time he was 10 years old. He is considered a "War Horse" in his racing career and was one of the lucky ones to retire without injury after so many starts. At almost 27 years old, he still keeps up with the younger crowd, galloping the fields at full tilt. Tucker is incredibly gentle and has become such a love in his old age. First one to give you a nicker and show you where to scratch

Jethro and Joseph

Two silly llamas from Tennessee. Though not related, Jethro and Joseph were raised together as babies. The very special part is that Jethro was born blind and Joseph has been his eyes since the very beginning. Their previous owner understood that extra care was needed to ensure Jethro and Joseph were to stay together and that more care was needed for them than they were able to provide. With the help of our wonderful friends and followers, we raised the money needed to make the 24 hour round trip to bring them home! Our team headed south and brought them home to GGFS, where we all fell in love the moment we met! They absolutely love giving llama kisses and just being around people. At just a year old, both of these boys will have a lifetime of adventures together and showing others the meaning of true friendship!

P. Cocky

Late in the winter of 2017, I received a voicemail concerning a peacock with an injured foot. We had recently had some of the coldest frozen weather the area had experienced in many years. When I returned the call I learned of a beautiful bird that had arrived months earlier outside of a woman's home. For her, this gorgeous bird was a sign from her husband who had recently passed. This majestic bird needed her help. After she and the bird spent months building a friendship, he earned himself the name Cocky. After a night of wind and snow, she noticed that Cocky was not roosted in his normal tree. When she found him, he was walking slowly with painful steps and holding his one foot up. She reached out to our local wildlife rehabilitation center who then gave her my number because of the dometic nature of his species. That night when Cocky was asleep on his caretakers porch, under the warmth of a heat lamp and in his straw bed, I scooped him up so we could get him veterinary care. Cocky's caretaker truly loved this boy. At the vet we found he had sustained frostbite on one of his feet. Healing can take time and can be tricky around joints. I did daily foot wraps and antibiotics, making me Cocky's least favorite person. His foot healed fantastically and he soon moved out to the barn with the herd. I love the stories like these, the ones that feel good from the beginning. Although he is still a little wary of me, I absolutely love being his secret admirer. Watching him perch in the windows and doorways with the sun reflecting his light of so many colors. We have a quiet and respectful relationship and without a doubt he lives up to his name!

Noah

Noah and his brother Petey were rescued last year and were in terrible shape upon arrival. Being fed nothing meant for goats and believe it or not they do require good nutrition! They were extremely malnourished and loaded with all kinds of parasites. The tips of Noah's ears were also missing, most likely frostbitten when he was a newborn. He is now a total stud that likes to play hard to get, except if he runs a little to fast he might fall over. This handsome boy is known as a fainting or myotonic goat. We try hard not to laugh! Thankfully they are very sturdy goats and the condition does not cause any problems. They learn to cope quite well!

Pickle

Pickle was found just days old screaming his head off on the middle of a harvested corn field. Eyes still closed, no mother or siblings any where near by. The secret is still kept even 6 years later how he ended up there but fate had him brought to us and we are so happy it did!

Brooklyn

Brooklyn was raised in a house in Philadelphia, though we were originally told New York 🤣. He lived in a dog crate during the day and was let out in the small yard when the "owners" came home. This went on for 2 whole years. While I feel the couple that raised Brooklyn truly loved him, it has robbed him crucial life experience as a Canada goose. We released him here in the spring with 4 other goslings with the two adults that frequent our pond. While Brooklyn is fully flighted, he has never left the sanctuary for more than an hour. Everyday hundreds of geese land in our fields cleaning up the corn, he chooses to stay. Instead of honking at other geese flying over, he honks at planes. He is free to leave at any time and we do not feed him at this point as the sanctuary has everything he needs to eat like a goose king. We sincerely hope next spring will bring a girl that sweeps him off his feet and he can fulfill a completely wild lifestyle. Until then, he is safe and as all the time he needs.

Fawn

Fawn came to us from our local wildlife rehab that we work with after being born extremely late in the season. We are here to provide her a safe place until she is big enough to be on her own and joins our large deer herd on the property.

Clover

Clover was used in a local animal testing facility. Though she was only used for blood draws, any of the animals that are part of the research are euthanized after the project is finished. Clover was lucky that one of the employees rescued her from that fate. Now she gets to live without fear here at Gratitude Gate.

Puddles

Puddles had such a fun time today with our visitors! She has had to push through so much in only 5 years of life. Abused, abandoned, survived a high kill shelter with 15 minutes to spare. Only to find out she was heartworm positive, pregnant and harboring every internal and external parasite possible. Once too afraid to lift her head at the sight of a human, she has now become an ambassador to what love can do!

Raven

Raven came to us from a very loving home in Virginia. She is a little over a year old and was born with her back legs tucked underneath her. Her people parents refused to accept that this disability would be life ending and raised her inside their home, giving her everything she needed to thrive. Unfortunately life throws things at us all that we can not foresee. The family had to move from their small farm to the suburbs where goats are not allowed. They tried as hard as they could but knew this wasn't the best life for Raven. They reached out to us several weeks ago and I knew we had to help this heartbroken family make things right. So Raven starts a new adventure here at Gratitude Gate. Sometimes rescue isn't abuse and neglect, but understanding and helping. We are so happy to have this sweet girl join our herd and give her the life her people knew she deserved.

Happy

Happy came to us from Arkansas from a breeder of Nigerian Dwarfs. He was born with a spine and both rear legs fused together. Happy has such an incredible will to live that the breeder knew he would do great as an ambassador and inspiration for so many. She contacted us about bringing him to Gratitude Gate as she also knew he would require special care she could not provide. Happy lives in my house with his buddy, Rosco and is thriving. He loves to get in his cart and go out on the town to meet people and bring some happiness.

Freckles

Freckles is a Muscovy duck that came to our local wildlife rehab with her sister Speckles. The older gentleman that brought them there said they were just the sweetest ducks and boy was he right! Unfortunately, Speckles passed away but Freckles remains a fixture of love here at the sanctuary. She can often be seen hanging our with the goats and horses and of course you if you are in need of a friend.

Nicholas

Nicholas was born in September 2017 and raised on campus at a local University known for their agricultural studies. Traditionally any calves born into the dairy program would continue to be raised for milking if they were female and males would be raised for meat. Friends of Gratitude Gate took notice of the situation and were able to negotiate freedom for Nicholas. Unfortunately, before arriving here at the sanctuary, he went through several bouts of pneumonia and may always be more sensitive to airborne allergens. After months of waiting for his arrival, this sweet boy stepped off the trailer and never looked back. He immediately found his place in the herd and is enjoying having a family to call his own and growing stronger every day.

Pippi

On social media one can always find heart wrenching stories of rescues in need, from bonded pairs to broken seniors. For me, a picture of this sweet donkey in the snow, popped up on my screen for 2 weeks. In two weeks there were no shares and no interest. Her date for auction was now less then two days away and her caption read "probably bred." That was when I knew that this 5 year old girl and her unborn foal were coming to Gratitude Gate. Once again, with the help of our amazing friends showing kindness in a time of need, we saved sweet Pippi from ever having to step foot inside an auction, where her life would have become a number and her future decided by the exchange of money. Pippi has gone through a lot of rehabilitation and is learning to trust people again with such grace and courage. Her foal is due to be born in late July or August and so far Pip is doing fantastic in her pregnancy! She has a very loud way of letting you know when she wants your attention or when her hay is finished and she loves peppermints!