April 2024

April, a month full of emotions…

Nebraska is doing poorly

Nebraska, our 26-year-old mare, has been causing us great concern for days…..
In December 2022, she was doing very badly. After a thorough examination by our equine veterinarian, Nebraska was diagnosed with a large abdominal tumor. Shortly after, and things had to move quickly, the tumor was surgically removed. Since this obviously couldn't happen at Finca Noah, we had to arrange equine transport to the clinic. Nebraska came through the operation well and recovered quickly.

For the past week, Nebraska has been causing us great concern again. She was lying in her stall in the morning and wouldn't get up. For us, an unusual sight and a sign that we needed to act quickly. We had to get Nebraska up immediately. We were worried she had colic. That can be fatal, so every minute counts. Nebraska absolutely could not stay lying down—quite the opposite, she had to walk. We led her gently through the sand arena on a rope and halter. Round after round. Until what felt like an eternity later, the veterinarian arrived. Fortunately, it wasn't colic—the veterinarian was able to rule that out. But to determine exactly what it was, we needed a blood test. So we had to wait again to find out how Nebraska was doing.
Daily, Claudia, our equine veterinarian, comes to the farm to provide Nebraska with medication. The antibiotics she receives daily are to combat the inflammation in her body, which the blood test results showed. Additionally, she needs a vitamin supplement daily to rebuild her immune system.
Many people think a large animal doesn't notice a small injection. Horses are more sensitive than you'd think. When Nebraska gets her injection, I, Nadine, stand beside her to calm her down. When you look into her big eyes during this, you can see her fear. Fear, because she doesn't know what's happening. We're all keeping our fingers crossed that Nebraska recovers quickly and won't need any more medical treatment.

Theo the farm rooster

You all surely know Theo, Farah's beloved hand-tame rooster. Everyone who visits us at Finca Noah wants to see Theo, wants to pet him, or have Theo sit on their arm.

Theo was discovered in September 2021 by volunteers at Finca Noah. While collecting the daily chicken eggs, a very special egg was among them. It was pecking inside the egg. At first everyone laughed about it, but then it became clear to everyone that someone wanted to get out of their egg house. Little Theo had hatched….
Theo was lovingly raised by Farah. Fed, kept warm, and loved. The day came when Theo wanted to discover the big wide world, and for him, the big wide world was the Finca Noah farmyard. He was given his own house on the farm. A little wooden house with windows, a door, and a small terrace/veranda. He loved this house. Every evening after his explorations on the farm, he would run to his house to sleep so he'd be fit for the next day, when he could experience and get into many things.
In January 2023, a shocking moment for everyone. Theo lay injured on the grass. He had a heavily bleeding wound on his belly. We didn't hesitate for a minute to take him to the vet. On a weekend, in the afternoon no less, it was a real challenge finding a vet who was open and who knew about chickens and would treat them. Driving across the island, spending hours on the road, making what felt like a hundred phone calls, we finally found a vet who stitched Theo up and stopped the bleeding. After this shock, Theo needed a week of round-the-clock care, which he greatly enjoyed. It was very difficult for him to crow like a proper rooster. He tried again and again, but all that came out of his beak was peeping. After 5 days of wellness in the living room, Theo woke me at 4:30 AM with a really loud crow. I was so happy that I immediately ran to him.
Theo was back to his old self!
On April 1st, 2024, came the second shocking moment.
Theo lay lifeless on the ground. With no signs of illness or injury. We don't know why he had to go. We wish our beloved Theo a good journey. You will always remain in our hearts. We all miss you very much.

Large cat rescue in Son Reus

We met Antonio, a Majorcan with a big heart for animals. He is a private animal welfare advocate who occasionally supports an animal welfare association and has great joy in helping animals. This time, Antonio asked us for help.
In Son Reus, the second largest shelter, several cats are sitting in small cages, crying from fear, from hunger, from cold. The cages are no bigger than half a square meter. Cold concrete or metal floors. They receive no love and no attention.

The reasons why cats end up in such cages are very different.
Often they are cats that have become ill, and the owners prefer to give up the sick animal rather than care for it and take it to the vet. Sick animals cost money and require work. Both things that lazy people don't want, and they make it quite easy for themselves by simply returning the responsibility they once took on.
We were able to free 6 cats from the cages and move them to our cat paradise. For these cats, you also have to pay a release fee, even though you're essentially rescuing the animal—in our case, the cats. Sometimes we don't understand the world anymore. Each of these cats deals with their new freedom quite differently. One enjoys being indoors and outdoors. One likes to be cuddled 24 hours a day. Another is still skeptical and observes what's happening from a safe distance. With us, the 6 little cats can now settle in.
We're aware that new cats will certainly be locked up again in the empty boxes in Son Reus. And we wouldn't hesitate to get them out of there too. Our cat paradise is about 80 square meters, and unfortunately we can't take in an endless number of cats. We have space again for emergencies and caged cats once we manage to find new loving homes for the cats we've already rescued who are ready for their new loving homes. So we're urgently looking for loving people who are ready to fall in love with one of our kittens and give them a loving home. Animals from animal welfare are soooo grateful when you give them time and love. The gratitude we experience from the animals here every day is indescribable. Help us rescue even more animals….

Freedom for the birds

We had to drive out to buy new beds for our dogs. A large store in the city of Manacor called Kiwoko was our destination—we wanted to buy comfortable sleeping cushions there, after all, the dogs should be just as soft and comfortable as we are, we don't sleep on the floor either.
After we found the beds, we noticed bird chirping. We were horrified and speechless. We had tears in our eyes at the sight of how many little budgies and lorikeets were fluttering around disoriented in glass cases. You couldn't really call it flying. It was far too small for that. It seemed to us as if they were being displayed like a show, and there are actually people who stand in front of them and find it cute how the little birds flutter around. Our hearts were broken. I, Nadine, managed to convince Farah to rescue the lorikeets, to buy their freedom.
We bought several wooden nesting boxes, food, and treats for birds. And gave 9 lorikeets a new life in our aviary of nearly 200 square meters. Back at Finca Noah, we quickly had a crafting hour to prepare everything for the 9 little ones.
Then finally we could free them from their transport cage and let them fly. Free as a bird!!!

We were so happy, goosebumps moment. It's so beautiful to see them flying all day and hear cheerful chirping.
We're currently still looking for a sponsorship for two birds. That at least covers their food costs, which makes us very happy.