Like all of my designs, this one is personal. The calf on this shirt was named Sir Van. I will never forget him or his brothers, River, Bullet, Speckles, Charlie, Nick and Lazarus, all of whom are dead. They were male dairy calves. Male dairy calves are of no use to the industry – an industry responsible for their births as well as their deaths. Before I explain, here’s a bit of background info. 

The dairy business relies heavily on the exploitation of babies. Ninety-seven percent of newborn dairy calves are permanently taken away from their mothers within the first 12 hours of life. Cows are quite maternal and when this happens, they typically become distraught (as do their babies). Newborn calves are fed milk replacer. All the while, humans are drinking the milk of these mama cows who just had their babies carted off.

Female calves are raised to endure the same painful lives as their mothers. This involves being impregnated year after year, so that their bodies will keep producing milk. Like us, cows lactate to nourish their young. Like us, cows are pregnant for 9 months. Unlike us, cows have their newborns taken away.

Male calves are considered byproducts because they don’t produce milk. Frequently, dairy farmers find them to be more trouble than they’re worth. As a result, they’re often killed immediately or sold to become cheap beef or veal. 

Regardless of their sex, these animals are killed at a fraction of their natural lifespans of 20 years.  

Sir Van’s Story

Back to the guy on this shirt. I was recently involved in a rescue of 11 newborn male dairy calves, who were surrendered by a farmer. We’d hoped to save all 14 of them. Sadly, we had to leave 3 boys with the farmer, because they had no chance of making it. In just a few days’ time, I helped to find homes, rides and donations to save them from slaughter.

Newborn calves’ health is very fragile, especially when they don’t receive their mothers’ milk This is one of the many injustices of dairy. 

Long story short(er): Only 4 of the 11 babies survived. Our efforts and care simply weren’t enough. When the calves got sick, we rushed them to vets and hospitals. Overcoming zoonotic and contagious illnesses is incredibly hard! Pneumonia, diarrhea and umbilical infections on top of cryptosporidium, salmonella and clostridium were too much for most of them to bear. I can’t imagine how terrified and terrible they must have felt. The sanctuaries involved were left with thousands of dollars worth of medical bills, and some scarcely or never had the chance to see their babies after their “freedom rides.”

To see the four guys who pulled through, head to Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary, in Colorado. 

To read more about my rescue experience, click here. 

If this upsets you, please cut dairy from your diet and show your opposition to the use of cows as objects. And buy a shirt to help spread awareness and share this story!