Cecil and Hazel (formerly Ladybug) are longhorn cows from the former Twist of Fate "sanctuary" and are fan favorites! Longhorn cows are characterized by their very long horns, which can span more than 8 feet (2.4 meters) from tip to tip. They have a natural lifespan of about 20-25 years, but because they're primarily used for "beef" they are killed at a fraction of that. These beautiful and regal animals should be respected and revered, but unfortunately they're treated more like commodities.
Cecil (reddish brown) was originally used in a roadside attraction where children could sit on his back and pose for photos. When he outgrew his "usefulness" he was taken to auction for slaughter but was taken in by Ashley in November of 2020. It's unclear what month/year Ladybug was rescued, but she was brought to TOF because Ashley was looking for a friend for Cecil. Ladybug (black) was saved from a bidding war where people were offering thousands of dollars for the opportunity to mount her horns for decoration. A quote from the sanctuary that ended up taking them in: "Animal agriculture values the efficiency of modern Longhorns, but doesn’t take into account the emotional toll that a prolonged life of exploitation has on the individuals we know cows to be. It’s also not lost on us that these animals are revered as an icon of our nation’s history (particularly in the state of Texas), and yet they’re also bred specifically to be killed for food, and even decoration."
It's so heartbreaking that these beautiful and gentle animals are seen more as objects than for their sentience or personalities and that someone would want to end their lives for something so trivial as a piece of wall décor or a hamburger. Please make kind choices for ALL animals.
It's also heartbreaking that although they were both rescued from death once that their safe haven let them down so drastically and they were once again in need of a home where they could receive food, attention, and proper care.
Fortunately Cecil and Ladybug had each other through the horrific ordeal that was Twist of Fate and they were rescued last July from Ashley DiFelice's cruelty and neglect. Cecil had a body score of 3 and has an arthritic knee, and Ladybug had a body score of 5 (a score of 1 is emaciated, 5 is perfect weight, and 10 is overweight). Cecil and Ladybug may have fared better than most of the other animals on the property, but like the other animals, they hadn't been seen by a vet in months (maybe years) and they still had to see and smell death all around them. The pair was taken in by Catskill Animal Sanctuary in New York (@catskill_animal_sanctuary) and Ladybug was renamed Hazel, a name that they felt suited her better. In May of this year they were moved to a new field at Catskill where they are closer to the other cows at the sanctuary (and directly on the route of the rescue's public tours!).
Cecil and Hazel have both settled in so well and are getting all the love and care that they deserve. According to Catskill, Cecil is described as "a love - he is outgoing and curious, eager to paly with his surroundings, graze in his spacious new pasture, and give us plenty of kisses! He is about 7 years old and is as gentle as they come. He is affectionate and jovial". Catskill describes Hazel as "very doting toward Cecil, but wary of humans. She prefers to observe from a distance. Still though she is sweet and gentle and curious about us".
Follow along with these beautiful longhorns at @catskill_animal_sanctuary! If you'd like to donate to their care or any of the animals at Catskill, you can do so on their website here, PayPal (linked on the website), you can become a member, or you can sponsor one of the animals. They have cute merch that can be purchased here and on Bonfire. You can also book a 60 minute or 90 minute tour of Catskill or purchase a day pass (members get to tour for free). AND they have a wonderful vegan section on their site with tips and helpful resources for a kinder lifestyle!
Thankfully Cecil and Hazel survived and were given a soft landing. Please leave them some love in the comments below!
Thank you for being here, and please stay tuned for the next story.
Also, please continue to share the petition - Ashley DiFelice's next court date is September 14th, and since the court is aware of the petition we'd like to get as many signatures and comments on it as possible before then.
According to their site, "at 15,000 signatures this petition becomes one of the top signed on change.org", so let's keep them coming!!
Thank you!