Apifera Farm is now a recognized 501[c][3]. Your deductions are tax deductible to the extant allowed by the tax code. We were incorporated as a non-profit in Maine on July 20, 2017. We have been helping animals since 2004 when we lived in Oregon. Contact Katherine to see our IRS Letter of Determination >
Our mission statement:
- Provide a safe haven at Apifera Farm for elder/special needs creatures
- This includes hospice cases when needed
- Dedicate ourselves to bringing our animals together with elder/special needs people for mutual healing and wellness visits at our farm, but also at elder residences
Background: Apifera Farm has been taking in elder/special needs creatures as a labor of love and passion since 2004 when the farm began in Oregon. They were not a 501c but many chose to donate when they could. In 2016, the farm and all the creatures relocated to mid coast Maine, and once settled, became a non profit 501[c][3].
The Apiferians, also known as The Misfits - are a cast of characters with special needs, many elderly, looking for a soft spot to lay down. They come here for one purpose-to live out their lives, and sometimes to be hospiced.
If you have a special needs or elder animal that needs rehoming, we look at each case individually. We also want to work with shelters, animal control officers, farmers and goat farms that might have special needs goat kids/elders that might otherwise be euthanized.
You can donate here.
At this writing the resident Apiferians are:
Pino and Lucia, brother and sister donkeys
Matilda, an old donkey, Paco thinks it is his mother
Sophie, a crippled goat
Pickles the goat
Auntie Bea the old goat
Joliet the goat
The Goose the goose
Girl George, a hermaphrodite sheep adopted out of a neglect case
Friede, a crippled goat out of a neglect case
Goose, sidekick to Moose
Sir Tripod Goat, a goat with use of three legs
The Littles, a flock of elder Zebra Finches
Anna, elder cat from shelter
Tigger, elder cat from shelter
Noritsu, a magical elder white cat, a healer for me,
Yume, elder cat from shelter
Muddy Waters, aka Mud, the chocolate lab
Inky Minky, Gilda's 15 year old son
Eleanor the pig
Uno the pig
Arlo the therapy llama
The Grumpiest Old Men, aka Walter and Lemon
Earnest the pig
Little Lonley, aka Freddy Finch, aka Freddy the Dreamer, the surviving piglet
Boone the horse
Honey the 30 year old horse
Roscoe and Jim Bob two goats
Harry the llama and his haircut
Victoria an elder chicken
The Secret Sisters - the chickens
Captain Sparkle - an elder special needs mini horse
The Teapot - an elder special needs mini horse
Calla an elder retired ewe due to her mastitis
Little Sylvia Pettini born a sickly bottle baby, daughter of Calla]
Harry the llama and his haircut
Mister Mosely, an incredible cat of distinction
Isabelle Noir, an abandoned rabbit
Luci an old llama
Luna an old llama
White Dog aka Benedetto, a Maremma who appeared at our farm
Resting in Peace or traveling in the clouds
Miss Spring, the elder cat
Opie the traveling therapy goat
Fuzzy an old cat
Janet Jane Josephine, a feral trapped and brought to the barns
Else, an elder, crippled goat out of a neglect case
Belle the elder cat
Little Moose, the tiniest Misfit and cutest
Hughie aka The One Eyed Blind Pug II , a senior blind pug who needed a forever home
Miss Spring, an elder cat
Popeye Papi Bob, an elder cat from the shelter who had his penis removed after severe infection
Lady Birdie the kissing llama
Gilda, adopted at 20 with her 15 year old son [cats]
Cornelia the pig
Papi, The President of The Old Kitty Knitty Club
Wilbur the Acrobat Goat, a younger bloke, flies around elders
Stanley J. Catfish, a real brought to the barn
Rosie, The World's Grumpiest But I Am Fine As I Am Pig
Annah Assumpta an elder retired ewe
Big Tony, the cat that created most of the above colony
Maxine, an elderly special needs cat
Mittons, an elderly cat
Rosie the old goat, a retired breeder
Scooby Keith, an elder goat who walks like a gent on the beach and loved a llama
Stella and Iris, together again
BW, a fine cat
Victor a crippled goat
Professor Otis Littleberry, he taught English in the Ivy League
Priscilla, a very old goose
The Bottomtums, the old goose's charge of ducks
Stevie, a crippled goat who gives free kisses
Old Mama Sugee, old pony near 40, ears chewed off by dogs
Wilma, elder daughter to Mama Sugee
Raggedy Man, a little goat with Muppet feat
Aldo the Elder, a dignified old llama who lived to be twenty
Old Rudy, a crippled goat but a dapper gent
Floyd, a very old sheep who thought he was a dog. So missed.
Gertie + Georgie, bonded crippled goats, died two weeks apart
Lyndon Baines, wandering rooster walked a mile to get here
Henrietta, adopted from a box at the feed store, a fine hen, died from prolapse
Giacomo, our first old donkey, abused but so loving
Lucy the Pig, retired sow with a nose that took the farm down
Granny, sweet elder lady with crooked teeth
Honey Boy, retired pack goat, died of a broken heart
Lofa, bundle of elderly love who just couldn't hang on
Tasha Teats Tudor, crippled mate of Old Rudy
Old Man Guinnias, the first old goat of Apifera,
has his own dance company in heaven for crippled goats who die
Samuelle Noel, showed up Xmas Eve, most loving cat around
Aunt Bea, we fought hard together, but she couldn't pull through
Mrs. Aster, elderly, neglected goat, from Ezra's herd, couldn't hold on
Ezra, elderly and crippled, his owner suffered with dementia, died shortly after Mrs. Aster left.
The original semi feral colony:
Mr. Bradshaw, Pumpkin Head, Teasel, Fig, Blackberry, Wild Eye, Quince, Prairie Pussytoes, Sweet Pea, Gus, Mama Kitty, Mr. Plum, Little Orange, Hazel, Tomentosa
Itty Bitty Etta, 1# kitten on the highway now weighs 5# chose to stay at the old farm with Peaches. We are so sad not to have them but honor their decision
Wilma, has a new forever home because the trip east was not right for her
Now well over 20, Matilda, is a beautiful old donkey originally rescued by Lavender Dreams Donkey Rescue when she was 18+. A brood jenny most of her life, she was subsisting on straw-Her feet were a mess. Her sway back says it all. Now 20+, anyone who meets Matilda can't stop talking about her eyes - her soul is so clear in her glance. We call her Mother Matilda and every May celebrate her nurturing.
Above: Our first old goat arrived when he was 15 years old. His owners relinquished him to New Moon Goat Rescue–Like so many elders in our world, he was abandoned just when he needed them most. Very crippled from foot neglect, Old Man Guinnias lived to be 20. We were very bonded and in the end he was falling several times a day, unable to rise. I spent his final Sunday with him while I did barn chores, running to help him when needed. He was tired and I knew it was my turn to give him the gift of rest. I said everything I needed to that night, intending to call the vet in the morning. But he died in the night. He went out on his terms, and I truly believe he knew it was so hard for me to say good bye, so he slipped away so as not to bother me. I miss him every day. Our time together is part of the Misfit book.
Above: Professor Otis Littleberry was taken in with a herd of neglected pygmy goats. He was supposedly the goat of the neighbor, but he had no name. Lice ridden, unkept, he has since fattened up and is a charming fellow.
Above: Lofa, the little loaf of love! Lofa is the most bowlegged goat I know [this can often happen with malnourishment]. Lofa came with Raggedy Man and both were malnourished, bad feet, very thin - the usual. Soon after arriving, little Lofa took a turn for the worst and struggled through anemia, brought on by a recurrence of parasites. We pulled him through and he is doing fine now - he is a real talker and avoids conflict, preferring to run to me for rubdowns.
Above: Ezra means "help" and I think that is such a fitting name for this gent. Ezra was part of a small herd living with an elderly couple, who obviously cared for their goats a long time-the house was full of remnants that they had once showed, with ribbons and statues. But dementia took its toll and the couple went into a home, but the goats became malnourished, living in a safe pen, but an unkept one. Upon arrival, two of the herd were dead from malnutrition, the remaining 6 were taken in by New Moon Goat Farm Rescue, where another one died shortly after. All were very arthritic and thin, loaded with lice, bad feet, the usual. Ezra is at least 10 and we hope to get weight on him and hope for many years of peace and love here at Apifera. He is very friendly, a bit of a talker, and has a permanent limp which will only worsen. Will probably need pain meds as he ages.
Out of the same neglected herd as Ezra. After her herd mate had to be put down by the rescue, Mrs. Aster was listless. I had already brought home Ezra, but the story pulled at my heart strings. So many changes she had gone though in the past month, leaving a life long home, herd herd mates laying dead around her for day, then losing more of the herd when they died or were adopted. She was the last crippled one left, so I felt being with Ezra might help her. Incredibly trusting and sweet. That couple had tendered them well and loved them, it's clear to me. I hope somehow they know they are ok.
Sir Tripod Goat: He got the name Palaver in a naming auction. But I renamed him Sir Tripod Goat as he can't walk on one hind leg. This is due to permanent damaged or trauma at birth or early on. he is not old, but his condition will most likely shorten his lifespan, so I snuck him in thinking his three years are double that. In time, his shoulders will be compromised. He gets around pretty well right now. He is a sweet fellow, and once his trust is earned, will be a real right hand man.
Above: Raggedy Man arrived looking pretty darn raggedy! Hence the name. Raggedy is part Muppet and part lover. He is very enthralled with the Head Troll [aka, Frankie or Franklinia - she's a girl in other words]. He spends his night times with Lofa but they are quite independent during the day. Was very shy when he arrived since he'd been used as a buck and not touched much, but cookies and scritches helped.
Above: Granny arrived with Wilbur the Acrobatic Goat and was always very quiet and slight. She was never a real strong goat, and one day she took very ill. By the time I got the vet out, she was in a horrible state and we tubed her since it seemed like poison, but we never found anything it could have been. We had to euthanize her that day, as she had failed and was suffering greatly. Granny was born with bad teeth, and one stuck out. She was a sweet, gentle soul. I'm so sorry, Granny.
Above: Honey Boy was one special guy. He was a rambler. His whole life was basically spent with one owner who used him as a pack goat. And he really worked hard and was her lead goat. Her circumstances changed and after 10 years with him, she relinquished him to New Moon Goat Rescue. Sometimes I don't hear the whole story, but Honey Boy [he came with the name Lightening but I changed it as it scared the barnyard when I called out, "Lightening!"] arrived very malnourished, and unkept. He was magnificent. But I always felt he had a broken heat. He wanted to be with me, which made sense since he'd lived as a leader to one woman. He was very arthritic when he arrived. His attention to me was very sweet, but it made him pushy with the other goats, and he was very tall coming up to my waist, so this could be problematic with the old pygmies. But, he failed one day, just went down fast and I held him and stayed with him and got him to calm for his night time slumber. But in the morning, he was gone.The vet thinks it was just his time, as he'd worked hard his whole life packing.
Above: Wilbur, or Wilbur the Acrobatic Goat as I call him. Wilbur came to us from New Moon as a young three year old. At the time, I felt it would be nice to have a youngster around the elders. He is a sweet fellow, and is the only goat that can leap and romp, which is fun. He now spars with Raggedy Man over the Head Troll and Raggedy usually wins even though he's much shorter.He remains the youngest of all the goats.
Above: Priscilla is 20+ now, or more. Her owner had a small farm but her husband died of cancer and she had to move to a smaller place. She asked her vet, who was one of my vets too, to find a home for the old goose and her charge of 6 ducks. Priscilla is the most elegant and beautiful creature I know. She falls some now, but she is the mother and herder of the ducks who are collectively known as The Bottomtums [if you know ducks, you will understand this name selection]. We built them their own mini pond complete with waterside cabin. They also love the rain and it is so fun to watch them in puddles.
Above: Rosie, my sweet and grumpy little pig! Rosie lived with an old woman, and the woman died. The Humane Society stepped in, and Rosie ended up being taken in by Sanctuary One. Rosie had a hard time making friends - she is pretty grumpy - but one of the rescued goats there took a liking to her. He just got up one night and began sleeping near Rosie. His name is Stevie and he is crippled. They are an odd couple, but what a pair. To this day they sleep near each other. Rosie has special needs for her skin and has her own annual Sunscreen Drive.
Above: And here is Stevie. This goat has the soul of an old Redwood. He is kind, strong but gentle, and gives little pecks or kisses on your face. He was a real hit at Pie Day giving out kisses. Stevie was part of a herd of 30 goats that were confiscated by the Humane Society due to horrible neglect. Some didn't survive, and Stevie had been crawling on his knees for so long he couldn't straighten his legs. An operation was performed so he could at least get off his knees and walk.
Above: Lucy was a retired 500# sow from a local pig farm. She was their first breeding sow and rather than butcher her after she couldn't breed anymore, they wondered if I would take her. These were good pig farmers and they take great care of their animals. After about a year, I agreed to try knowing they'd take her back if it didn't work. After one month here, I had to return her to them. It was a hard decision, but the right one for the farm. She was very hard to contain and believe me, we tried - just go read the blog about her. I really liked Lucy and she and I had an agreement. She holds no grudge nor do I. But my Misfits were in danger, I felt.
Above: I was minding my own business one day, driving to an appointment on a rural highway. It was raining and suddenly a wet fluff ball darted from the culvert across the road. A little kitten! Barely missed the oncoming semi. I pulled over and got out, thinking she was probably hiding at this point. But she sat very still on the side of the road and cried. She waited for me and I picked her up. She was 1# and very thin and wet. We felt she was 6 weeks old. Back home she slept a lot, and the Old One Eyed Pug was her nursemaid. She would sit with him and try to suckle him, it was so funny. To this day, Itty will snuggle with him. She is full grow at 5# and is one of only 3 cats who has indoor access - and sleeps on the bed.
Above: I named her Aunt Bea when she got here. She was one of a herd of pygmies, including Professor, who were confiscated for neglect. Bea was the worst, and the oldest at about 12 years old. She was a bone. But man, what a spirit she had. This was one of the saddest cases I've had. She became weaker very quickly after I got her from New Moon and the vet was here three times in one week. I was doing daily injections and all sots of things to try to get her red blood cell count up. Eventually she had no strength to even stand so i made her a sling to help keep her up to help her rumen. Eventually, her blood levels just got worse over the two week period. She had so many people pulling for her. This was a huge loss - she tried so hard.
Old Rudy is 13 years old at this writing and very arthritic, but such a wonderful gentleman! He came here with his lifetime mate, Tasha T. Tudor. They had a wonderful home with their longtime owner who had them since they were kids, but her husband passed away and over time her circumstances changed. She was heartbroken, but made the right decision to let New Moon Goat Rescue find them a home, and I swept in.They were fed well and are on pain meds, and are fitting in wonderfully.
{Rudy passed suddenly, but it was a very peaceful death and I was with him. He was old and very arthritic.}
Above, Tasha Teats Tudor, aged 12 when she arrived, came with the unusual name of "Teats" which the original breeder tagged her since she had incorrect number of teats so was unbreedable. The new owner just sort of got used to it and the name stuck. So I slightly adjusted it to Tasha Teats Tudor. Tasha is no push over even though she is small, and also arthritic. But so sweet! UPDATE: Sadly, due to her age and condition. Tasha Teats didn't make it. She struggled with her walking and balance, often casting herself, a dangerous thing especially for weak, older goats. She was not putting on weight well despite all our efforts. We had a real cold spell for a week or more and I think it just pushed her over the edge. She died with Rudy nearby and is buried with a lock of his hair.
The Bottomtums, 6 ducks who were bonded with the Old Goose Priscilla. I had named each one, and Doris is the mother to the other three females and is quite old too, I'm told. But the others are hard to tell apart when they waddle around so I call them The Bottomtums - and if you've seen ducks move, you'll get the name. The ducks and goose lived with a nice couple, but he was dying of cancer and they had to leave the farm, and my vet intervened to re-home her beloved goose and ducks. {We are down to one duck-you can read the blog to hear about the others-they all had good long lives}
Above, Mama Kitty was here when we arrived, very feral. I never thought Mama would live this long after her life of having litter after litter. When we got here, there was a brand new litter in the hay barn. Three of those 5 cats are still with us. Then before I could trap here, she had an immediate litter again, and 3 of those are still with us. I was able to trap and spay all the litters and other strays in about a year, but it took two years to trap Mama. To this day, she won't let anyone too close, and I've only touched her nose. She is very bonded with Bog Tony, who was father to many of the original Apifera cats, and we don't know if they are lovers or siblings. She resides on the front deck at night with two of her offspring, Plum and Little Orange.
{Mama Kitty was failing with a possible abscess on her mouth, but it became clear it was more than that. She kept coming to the feed dish, and I spent two weeks trying to trap her and treat her-but she eventually came to one of the porch baskets, and died curled in a ball. I was so grateful she chose the deck porch-as she was always wild, and this way I could bury her and knew she was gone.}
Big Tony: He's the father to most of the cats and he was the easiest one to catch. For the first months he lived in the barn, then migrated to the front porch. What a lush he was, and soon I was sneaking him in at cocktail hour. He now sleeps in our bed and is the King of all cats. He is getting older and showing signs of it. He still goes out to the deck and visits with Mama, and she always shows him affection. Tony has had more medical work than I have, with a fan base that always helped me pay for it somehow.When we go to the vet, the staff calls out, "BIG TONY!" in perfect Italian accents.
Above, Some of the semi ferals that reside at Apifera, which at one time numbered 25+ cats. All were trapped/spayed and neutered and the cost was defrayed by generous blog followers. It took almost two years to get the job done, and of course, there are always more strays that wander up to the barn - a place they've heard about from the wind for comfort and safety.
Above: These two very old and crippled lady goats, Gertie and Georgie, came to Apifera at the end of the their lives. Both were really crippled from foot neglect and didn't do much walking. They were only here 6 months or so when Georgie took ill and while she revived for a little bit, I could tell she was tired. She died during the night. Two weeks later, her lifetime friend died in my arms. They are buried together in the pumpkin patch.
Giacomo had been used and abused as a roping donkey in Texas well into his senior years. Who knows what his living conditions were there. He was rescued by the Texas arm of Peaceful Valley and when he came to Apifera when he was 19. No blood panel had been done on him and if it had, it would have shown us how sick he was. He arrived with a swollen sheath which the rescue had had looked at a week earlier. No conclusions were drawn except it could have been an allergic reaction to a sting. When he arrived, I had my vet out to examine it. We took some precautions, but in the next couple days I had the vet again asking him to do blood work. I went to feed him that next morning and I knew he was failing, and suffering. He came and lay down by me, with his head in my lap. I called the vet immediately, and he had just received the blood work which showed us how sick he was - with kidney and liver levels, among other things, way out of function. Both my vets concurred it was from many years of nutrition and water neglect. He is buried in the donkey paddock and Martyn made a humble sitting spot there for me. I visit him all the time. While this old donkey might have had relationships with others in the past, he and I had a special time together, though short. He understands that I was there for him at the end.
Above: I was minding my own business at the feed store when I well dressed man came in and sat a box down on the counter. I was about to leave after paying when the girls at the front desk - who all know me- asked the man what was in the box. It was a chicken, his little daughter's chicken, and the chicken had to go, but he didn't want to butcher it. it kept getting out and into the neighbor's garden or something. He seemed embarrassed. I ask to see the chicken, and she was a beautiful Astrolorp. "I'll take her," and with that, I came home with my feed supplies, and a new chicken. I named her Henrietta and she is the friendliest hen ad follows me around.
{Henrietta had to be put to sleep after I spent three days trying to help her when she prolapsed. She died in my arms.}
Above: Lyndon Baines, a wonderful rooster who I met one day as I was out riding Boone. Lyndon came rushing out of the bramble in a remote area. I knew someone had dumped him, so I returned later with car and feed to entice him. He was still there, but i couldn't catch him. SO I said, "Look, Apifera is a mile or so that a way you are welcome to come and stay with us." And I drove back home thinking that poor rooster was coyote food, but that is life sometimes. Two weeks later or so, I was doing chores and who comes strutting out of the old barn, but that darn rooster. I named him Lyndon Baines and he made no trouble, but I had him sleep away from Papa Roo and the hens since it can cause trouble when an adult comes on board versus a chick rooster. I regret this. Lyndon was with us about 6 months and he had many hiding places, but one day I didn't see him and days turned to weeks. I eventually found his bones sucked dry and his beautiful wing span still intact. Raccoon.
Above: I brought Paco home, with Frankie, the Head Troll, from an overcrowded situation where he was running with many Jack donkeys and other animals, competing for food and everything else. When I got him home, he had very bad attitude about everything and was defiant and very headstrong. The farrier couldn't work with him. I worked with Paco for a long time to try to settle him and teach him basics and there were many days I was ready to give up and admit defeat. I am so glad I didn't. Paco was just unconfident and needed care and patience, and consistent work, to become the little poet he is today. He still wants to make sure he gets petted if everyone else does, but the farrier can now work with him alone, i can clean his feet and do regular tasks. And he loves pie Day and even lies down for the guests, if he feels like it.
Above: She has many names. Arriving here with Paco the donkey, she had the name Tazmanian Dirt Devil - very fitting. But I changed her name to Franklinia knowing she had to go by Frankie, she was a tomboy at heart. Frankie's real calling became evident with each new arrival. She became not so much a leader, as a boss, a guard with the keys to the safe. So now she is known as The Head Troll. She wasn't mean, but she was to be first in line, first out, first at everything. Rather than fight this, I named her The Head Troll and to this day she is in charge of the barnyard. She is entering her senior years, but doesn't show it. And she is the farm's notary.
Above: Elberta Peach. I was at the vet one day buying meds, and a very grumpy woman walked in and announced she had a cat in the car, in a trap, and she wasn't going home with it. But the clinic was full to the brim of animals, they said. She repeated several times she was not taking the cat home because she was sick of it pooping on her front porch. She hadn't tried asking the neighbors about her because they didn't talk to her [no wonder]. We all kind of knew what her next plan was. So I said I'd take her, thinking I could introduce her to the barn colony. The vet took the cat and it was panting, and had obviously been in the trap for some time, without food or water - and in a very hot period of the summer. So they were good enough to hold her for a week to make sure she made it, and then I brought her home. She obviously had been a pet, and no one came forth to claim her. But she now has indoor/outdoor privileges at the house.
Above: Mama Sugee. Sugee is thought to be around forty! She is horribly thin and we have her on senior food twice a day plus Cushing meds. The rest of her story is graphic- a dog chewed her ears off, and when the vet arrived the best thing to do was to take the entire ears off. She is pretty much blind so needs assistance in new areas. She will need a teeth float as she drops her hay. She manages to keep the grain down. Sugee is the mother to the elder Wilma and you'd never know it. Very different personalities, and Sugee was obviously losing her feed to chubby Wilma! Sugee stills trust, even is okay when the dogs are in the front yard. She likes to be held and is very easy to work with. We don't know how long Sugee will be with us, but I hope to give her the best in her last months or years of life.
Above: Wilma. Wilma is the elderly daughter of Mama Sugee and is thought to be in her thirties. When the vet took charge of her, her toes were very long and we are still trying to get them into shape. Her foot neglect has caused her to be arthritic and wobbly as a walker. She is very overweight, and was getting plenty of hay. Wilma needs some tendering. She knows the command 'whoa' but needs to learn that being held, touched and groom is pleasant. We have her on daily pain meds which probably will be life long.
He arrived with his goat sidekick, from Sanctuary One who had taken him for a few years. His name there was Kahili, but I changed it to Aldo and he is also known as the Great White around here-he was magical to the barnyard when he first arrived and still holds a place of deep respect amongst them, you can tell. Aldo lost his elder llama mate and while at Sanctuary One, Scooby Keith the goat began hanging out with him rather than being around the goats. They still hang together and now sleep with old Rudy, and sometimes the working flock. Aldo is very old and arthritic. He has put some weight on since arriving and we hope he can live many years here as he is so special and unique. He is over 20 which is getting old for a llama, so we will enjoy each week, month or year we are blessed with. Aldo responds tot he sheep and I think he must have had a flock at some point in his life. He positions himself between the flock and the gates, and worries when they leave a field. {Aldo died of natural causes at twenty+, as he lay out on the hills, under the sky. He is so very missed.}
Scooby Keith"> {Sadly, we lost Scooby Keith in February, 2017, at the age of 17} Scooby Keith is the funniest little elder. He is very sweet but very independent of the other goats, which was the case at Sanctuary One too. He simply prefers to be away from any rucous. So now he and Old Rudy share the orchard together, with Aldo. Scooby is elderly and seems to go in and out of being 'off' when he doesn't eat for a day, but then bounces back. He is also a talker. He likes to sit on benches. We love you Scooby Keith!
I made it a policy to not take on elder sheep, to protect the health of my working flock. When I first saw Floyd's face on New Moon's page, I was really drawn into it. But I put it out of mind. A month later, found myself looking at him. Walked away. But about six months later I caved. And glad I did. This old guy is like a big dog-I've never known a sheep to act this way, he much prefers me to the other animals. Floyd is arthritic and his pasturns are falling. We think he is part Katahdin, but will need shearing each year. He has a weird patch of skin on his rear that no vet seems to be able to figure out, so they call it 'old sheep butt". Floyd is a giant lover. I'm so glad he can be with us. He is 13. Post Note: Floyd fell in some slippery weather and was cast for some time. I worked with him for almost a week to try to get him back to his old self again, but he just was ready to go and we had the vet come and help him on his way. It was a sad week indeed. What a wonderful ssoul this guy was. I nicknamed him The Couch because I would turn around and there he was, up to my waist, ready to let me hang out with him
Victor and Sophie are Angora sheep that were sent to New Moon in severely bad condition. They were matted to the point that when sheared, they had raw patches. they were bone thin and given a 50/50 chance of pulling through. Victor has special congenital abnormalities as does Sophie, but Victor is worse off. His hind legs don't straighten out, and he is top heavy to the front legs-sometimes he even goes onto both front legs. Xrays were done by New Moon and show his lumbar spine and hind legs are too straight. He has to lay down a lot and walks all wacky. He has a lump that has been aspirated but seems benign. After all is neglect, he is so sweet, and trusting! So is Sophie, although she is very thin, I think she will pull through. I worry about Victor-he is slower to eat so it takes locking him up for an hour or more to make sure he gets all his food. They both have a lot of weight they need to put on. They both are so soft and remind me of poodles. they are over 8 years old.
Moose and Goose both came from loving homes and they were birthday gifts to me and Martyn. My mother died in the spring of 2013 and after helping so many old animals, I felt a yearning to have a baby animal to keep. So I secretly found Moose, who was born on my birthday. What I didn't know was Martyn and talked to a client who had a baby whether and he happened to be born on Martyn's birthday. So we confessed to each other what we each had done, and both Moose and Goose came to Apifera. And what a couple of characters they are. That look on Moose? He has a million that will make you smile. Moose is still the teeniest thing even though full grown. Goose reminds me of Denace the Menace but is very sweet and funny.
The Little Apiferians came to us in Maine, after their owner had to suddenly vacate his home and could not take his Zebra Finches with him. They came with this vintage inspired home made aviary, how could I resist. They live in our house and watch movies with us, chirping at key moment, and listening to classical during the day. I am not sure how old they are, but they don't live that long so I will enjoy their cheer each and every day.
I was minding my own business, adopting three elder cats from a shelter after our arrival to Maine, and there was this...bunny. She had been abandoned or lost at some point and was brought to the shelter. She now lives in my studio and is a charming assistant. Her name is Isabelle Noir.
He arrived with the named Mittens, which I will revise as I keep calling him Mitt which can not do for many reasons. He is a big guy! Beautiful gray color and very gentle and sweet. Another elder relinguished to the shelter. So glad we can help.
Maxine is an elderly special needs cat relinquished tot he shelter due to her medicines and the owners couldn't do it anymore for some reason. She is very thin, needs thyroid meds twice a month and has matted hair. Her eyes look like cataracts to me. She is super sweet and not afraid. I'm so glad I went back to the shelter to adopt her, she had been there sometime.
He came with the name Tigger but I added a "Sir' as this elderly gent deserves it. He has magnificent toes, doesn't he? He was a favorite at the shelter while he was there and I can see why.
Anna and Yume are elder ladies who began their life at Apifera after we adopted them out of the shelter. Yume was born in Japan so I named Yume which means 'dream' and I figured she had many dreams of her old life. She is a bob tail and initially never left her cubby but now has grown more comfortable and loves scratches. Anna is the alpha in the room, but now even sits with Yume. You'd never know she was elderly though. Anna has some health issues and her old owner did do a lot of vet work but in the end she could not care for her any more, but she clearly tried and loved her for years...I think she was told, as was Yume's owner who had to leave the country, their cats have a good home.
Opie!!! He's our traveling bucket of love, a little pygmy the lost his mother in birth and was a bottle baby. I decided he'd be a good therapy goat and he now travels with me to elder facilities where he is a huge hit. I love this little guy and hope he lives forever.
Rosie was a retired breeding goat and came to us thin and lice infested. She was never quite right and despite my efforts, she only lived less than a year with us. I managed to put weight on her - at her former breeding home she was unable to keep up food wise with the young crew so that is why I took her on. She was a sweet thing, but just couldn't pull out of it at her age.
Ollie is a partially blind bottle baby goat who lost his twin and mother in the brith process. While we normally concentrate on elders, sometimes I have to bring a new fellow on for my own heart's sake, and I'm hoping this little chap will become a good role model and therapy goat. We shall see!
Else came to us with two other crippled goats, from a neglect case with the state. I was sadly a case of a man who really did love them, but there were issues in his ability to care for the goats. Else is very old, and crippled in her front end. We've worked hard to get weight on her and she is really sweet. She lives with Opie and Sir Tripos in the front barn.
Friede came from the same neglect case as Girl George and Else. She is a petite and slightly shy, but very sweet, elder lady, also crippled.
And then there is total trouble, Girl George. She got the name because I was informed she is a hermaphrodite. She is certainly more male acting, and is very much into mischief, but I love her. She is also from the same neglect case.
Papi, also the President of Old Kitty Knitty Club [in which we gather and knit with the old cats, and then share our kitting in the community of elders] is an absolute fabulous gent. He has some hard times, his urinary issue was so bad, he chewed his penis to a nub. This was helped with surgery, and he now seems fine. We adore Papi, he is a big guy with a huge presence.
Miss Spring, I named her for the season she came to us, but it is a good name as she is springy, light on her elder feet, jumps from window to window. Miss Spring was loved, but lived in a hoarder's home, the owner died and the animals, all cared for and fed, were taken to shelters. All have homes. We love her.
Henneth, the blind chicken, came to us from a nearby farm who knew the blind chicken did not stand a good chance of a good life in their open flock. She is truly blind, but remarkable how she has adapted. She lives with Opie the goat, who initially really sort of protected her when she would eat at the food dish with other hens.
Harry and his haircut for our therapy work |
Victoria an elder chicken |
Luci a retired elder llama |
Honey an elder horse |
Roscoe and Jim Bob two old goats |
Hazel a wandering chicken |
Captain Sparkle an elder special needs mini |
The Teapot an elder special needs mini |
Luna an elder llama |
Luci had been bred at nineteen. We were going to take both mother and baby, this was after Birdie died. But the baby fell ill at a couple weeks old, suddenly, and died. We were so sad, ut we went on with the plan to give this old girl a place to retire. She was pretty thin on arrival after the baby was born and we have put some weight on her. She is very independent and sassy.