The Wiser Way Animal Sanctuary and Farm

01/09/2025

👏👏👏👏

EXCITING NEWS IN MASSACHUSETTS! Governor Maura Healey has officially signed into law two critical animal protection bills!

🐾 Feline Declawing Ban: This groundbreaking legislation prohibits inhumane declawing procedures, such as onychectomy and tendonectomy, ensuring cats in Massachusetts are protected from unnecessary pain and harm.

🐶 Humane Protection of Animals: This vital bill prohibits the sale of puppies and kittens under 8 weeks old and bans the unregulated roadside sales of animals, safeguarding the health and welfare of pets and consumers alike.

Our heartfelt thanks to Governor Healey for her leadership and commitment to animal welfare. We also extend our gratitude to the incredible legislative champions— Senator Mark Montigny, State Representative Tackey Chan, Senator John Velis, State Representative Ted Philips, Rep. Jessica Giannino——and the leadership of Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen E. Spilka, House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, and Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, whose dedication made these laws possible.

To all our Massachusetts advocates and supporters: your voices have driven these monumental victories. Together, we’ve set a new standard for animal protection in the Bay State! 🐾

01/06/2025

When the roads are drifted shut but the chores still need to be done, you walk to the farm 🤷🏼‍♀️ Atleast I was welcomed by a very happy Borris!

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from some of our critters to yours!

12/24/2024

This is W***y - and he is the definition of a bad goat. He is ornery, he jumps fences, he steals feed, and is generally just a menace to society. He was brought to the farm years ago by owners who had had enough of his antics. At the time he was struggling with identity issues between goat and dog, but has since learned how to “goat”. Unfortunately, he has not learned how to behave. 🤦🏼‍♀️😂 Of all the species of animals we have ever owned, I do believe goats are the most difficult!

This picture was taken as he harassed me while I chored. Work place violence is unacceptable - I wish we had someone in HR.

12/19/2024

The Kansas Department of Agriculture has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two game bird operations in Doniphan and Rooks counties. Affected premises are quarantined, and birds …

12/18/2024

❤️

12/14/2024

Just a pen of littles and oldies enjoying an early supper 🥰

12/10/2024

Good opportunity!!!

We are excited to welcome horse owners from across the world for our 6th annual UGA Horse Owner's Webinar Series!

Did you know an estimated 20-30% of horses in the U.S. are considered "seniors" over 20 years of age?

Join us in February of 2025 for a 5 week series on senior horse management.

All programs will be held on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 EST via Zoom. Sessions will be recorded and supplemental materials made accessible to participants.

This program has a registration fee of $10 per person, which covers all 5 sessions. Participants will have an opportunity to earn raffle prizes by completing evaluations throughout the series.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/HOW2025

A limited number of scholarships are available to cover this registration fee. Please apply for scholarships by January 28th, 2025 at: https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/.../SV_50yAWg4QMJa6GZU

2025 Topics & Presenters:

Feb 4 - Understanding Aging in Horses, Dr. Alisa Herbst

Feb 11 - Senior Horse Nutrition, Robyn Stewart M.S.

Feb 18 - Health Ailments of Senior Horses, Dr. Jennifer Proctor

Feb 25 - Endocrine Disorders in Seniors, Dr. Erica Macon

Mar 4 - End of Life Planning, Dr. Rebecca Husted Gimenez

12/06/2024

PSA!

11/24/2024

Bones originally received his name because he was a TINY scrawny homely little calf - that’s not the case anymore lol!

11/21/2024

I have been terrible at posting and providing updates lately. Life is BUSY, so social media isn’t always a priority. We are still hard at it and have even added new critters to the family - and when there is a moment to breathe, we will share their cute faces!

For now enjoy this dark photo from yesterday of the “three stooges” Ferdinand, Clifford, and Bones, enjoying a freshly set hay bale. It’s a joy choring in the DARK when it isn’t even late yet 🤦🏼‍♀️

11/13/2024

11/06/2024

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month! 🐾

At BISSELL Pet Foundation, we believe every pet deserves a loving home, especially the wise and wonderful seniors who have so much love to give. Adopting an older pet means welcoming a loyal friend who’s already settled, grateful, and ready to fit right into your family.

Show us your senior pets! 💙

11/01/2024

Several observational studies published last year suggest that your dog or cat could meaningfully reduce your risk of developing dementia, especially if you’re over the age of 50.

Japanese researchers published a study that looked at 11,194 older adults to see whether owning dogs or cats provided a protective effect against dementia.

Compared to those without pets, dog owners were 40 percent less likely to develop dementia over the course of four years. Dog owners who were social or exercised regularly experienced an extra 20 percent decrease in dementia risk.

Chinese researchers published a similar study last year, also looking at the link between pet ownership and cognitive decline among a cohort of 7,495 adults over the age of 50 in the UK.
The participants received psychological tests to assess their memory, verbal fluency, and thinking eight years apart.

Owning a dog was associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline among individuals who were living alone.

Source: Charter Research

09/12/2024

Rosemary has been dropping weight again so I took her to the vet today and Daddy Pig road along - when we got back to the farm he walked straight off the trailer and into the pond, and fell asleep pretty much instantly. Both pigs load easier than a lot of horses, so it wasn’t a hustled day, but it must have been an exhausting one! 😂

08/16/2024

Have you ever been told to not allow a hot, sweaty horse to drink cold water because it could lead to colic, founder or tie up?

This notion is actually a myth, and a dangerous one too, because it could lead to dehydration and very serious (and real) consequences. A sweaty, hardworking horse needs to be rehydrated without delay (i.e. don’t wait for the horse to cool down first).

The key, however, is to know how much water to allow at one time — because of the equine stomach’s relatively small capacity, offer small amounts of water every 20 minutes until the horse drinks his fill rather than letting the animal drink it all at once.

Remember that water is the most vital nutrient for a horse. A horse’s daily water requirements are influenced by many factors, but the average idle 1,100-pound horse in a cool environment will drink 6 to 10 gallons of water per day. That amount may easily double or triple in a hot environment! Therefore, it goes without saying that providing cool, clean water to your horses at all times is of paramount importance.

Source: Equus Magazine and AAEP member Dr. Anthony Blikslager. More information about offering a horse water can be found at https://equusmagazine.com/.../offering-a-horse-water...