Only the Fifth Llama to be surrendered to Nevins Farm in 20 Years, Newest Arrival Needs Medical Care before Adoption
Methuen, Mass. April 12, 2022 – The month of April marks an extraordinarily busy month for animal surrenders at the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen—with more than 200 newly homeless animals arriving in just the last four weeks—and today the organization announced one of the rarest surrenders of all: A 10-year-old Llama named “Hyacinth,” who is in desperate need of medical care and a new home.
Unfortunately for Hyacinth, life has not been smooth sailing as of late. She was surrendered by her previous owners because an ongoing eye issue required care they were unable to provide.
Eye Removal Required
The Nevins Farm team charged with transporting her to shelter brought her right to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University on April 6, because an initial evaluation that her right eyelid was damaged likely a result of past trauma, and resulted in impairing the eye itself.
The surgery to remove her eye took place on April 7th and cost more than $5,000 to perform. The MSPCA at Nevins Farm is hoping donors will step forward to help defray the costs, and anyone who wishes to donate can click here.
“This was ultimately the best decision for Hyacinth as it means she’s not in danger of recurring infections or other issues that would cause her pain or discomfort—and all signs point toward the vision of her remaining eye remaining strong enough for her to navigate her surrounds quite well, all considering,” said Mike Keiley, director of adoption centers and programs at the MSPCA-Angell.
Animal Population “Explosion” at Nevins Farm Stretches Resources
“As of today Nevins Farm is home to more than 220 horses, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks and other farm animals—a population that’s grown by over 90 percent in just the last two months,” added Keiley, who cited factors such a significant increase in animals arriving at the farm as a result of law enforcement investigations into neglect complaints, and voluntary surrenders from overwhelmed farm animal owners.
“In just a 24-hour period this month we took in more than 70 horses and farm animals as a result of three separate law enforcement investigations—at a time when more than 130 goats had come into our care,” he added.
Adopter Needed!
With surgery behind her, the staff at Nevins Farm would love nothing more than for Hyacinth to be in a loving new home for spring.
According to Keiley, the ideal adopter profile is anyone with llama experience and time to spend with a very social animal—and an existing herd of compatible animals that she could join. “In her past home she had goat companions that she enjoyed greatly,” said Keiley.
Anyone wishing to adopt can visit www.mspca.org/nevinsadopt.
Hyacinth is just one of the thousands of animals the MSPCA will care for in 2022. The organization recently marked its inaugural Giving Day to highlight its animal protection successes—from distributing 3.5 million pet meals to families in need, to re-homing some 10,000 pets surrendered by their owners, and providing subsidized medical care to nearly 15,000 animals in the last year alone.
