We already had other rescued cattle on our property, but Calico Red had a brand and legally belonged to someone else.  So he was asked nicely to leave our sanctuary and was returned to the area of his real home.  Yet, it wasn't long before Calico was found inside our horse sanctuary again.  And, he was evicted once more.  After the third time that Calico Red pushed his way into our sanctuary we figured he really wanted to stay there.  So instead of making him leave we decided to try to contact his owners.  We asked around the small community how to reach the rancher that owned him, but no one could give us a way to contact him.  We even posted a note at the local store where everybody comes and goes...still no responders.  And, we never kept it a secret that we were caring for this rancher's steer - most of the locals knew.

Years passed - yes years, and Red became a fixture at our sanctuary, became one of the herd, one of the family.  We knew in our heart of hearts we may have to give him up to his rightful owners - when they could be found, or when they found us.  But - we really hoped that we could offer to purchase Red so he could just stay with us.   

One day recently, without any warning, a host of armed sheriffs, the brand inspector, and cowboys showed up at the ranch and accused our sanctuary manager of stealing cattle - a very serious offense in cattle country.

so I didn't believe that he was not for sale.  The brand inspector refused to put us in touch with the rancher.  So I started a Facebook rally to find the phone number of the ranch.  And by a stroke of luck and the diligence of one of our FB friends, we were able to contact the family of ranchers.  To my amazement they were very kind and understanding and accepted my apology for the terrible misunderstanding that made us look like cattle rustlers when in fact we thought we were doing the most humane and neighborly thing by allowing Calico Red to stay on with us.

After much conversation and negotiation the rancher has allowed us to purchase Red at a little below market value.  A 1400 pound steer would bring $1.50 per pound at auction and that would be $2100 BUT Mr. Rancher is going to give us a discount so that maybe we can afford to purchase Red and save him from becoming hamburger.  He has his purpose at our sanctuary and it's not to be food.  It is to be a beautiful, happy longhorn steer with no cares in the world.  To mosey among the wild horses, to keep our other Jersey steer and Brahman cow company.  To ward off predators with his very effective head gear.  And to...just be.

The rancher has agreed to allow us to purchase Calico Red for the amount of $1600.  And to us he's worth every penny.  But - he's not a horse, and we are over budget just trying to feed our 500 horses - we cannot spend $1600 of our hay funds on buying a steer - no matter how much we love him.  

So we are reaching out to those who might sympathize with Calico Red's predicament and our will to save him from being butchered.  If you can help us save this sweet longhorn and let him continue his life at Lifesavers, then please click on his photo to make a donation in any amount.  

We realize this plea is a bit unusual for a horse rescue - but we love all animals and Calico Red...well he's just special anyway.

Thank you for your consideration and support.   Click on Calico Red's photo to make a donation now.