“Moodini” Caught in Roslindale After Two Months on the Loose
METHUEN, Mass., Aug. 29, 2024 – Moodini, a young Hereford steer, is settling in at the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen after spending nearly two months on the loose in Boston.
Boston Animal Care and Control (BACC)—a Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) coalition member—first became aware of the steer, which was originally believed to be a bull, on June 22. He remained hidden in thick brush and was not spotted again until August 20, when animal control officers were able to install a temporary pen to begin feeding him.
“One of the benefits of MASS is that we’re more easily able to share expertise between our groups and support each other,” explained Mike Keiley, MSPCA-Angell vice president of animal protection.
“At the MSPCA, we’re fortunate not only to have farm space, but also related experience and equipment, all of which are rare among local animal welfare groups,” he added. “So, BACC knew immediately who to call when they needed help with this steer.”
BACC lured Moodini to a pen with food and water before reaching out to the MSPCA-Angell’s Equine and Farm Animal Rescue Team to help bring him to safety.
A Complex Rescue
“We don’t often get calls about large animals loose in a city, and when we do, it’s usually for wild animals like a moose or a bear, maybe a horse that escaped from a fenced in area,” said Kaycie McCarthy, equine and farm animal outreach and rescue manager at Nevins Farm.
“So, this was new territory for us!”
McCarthy and fellow Nevins staffers, as well as members of the MSPCA’s Community Outreach and Law Enforcement teams, joined BACC and the Boston Parks Department to move Moodini on August 27—a process that was complicated because of the area the steer had gotten himself into.
“We had to build a chute using livestock panels that was roughly 300 feet long to guide Moodini into our trailer through thick brush,” McCarthy elaborated. “We’re lucky that someone from the Parks Department was there with a chainsaw because we had to clear some small trees to get our trailer into position.”
“The whole process took about two-and-a-half hours and a dozen people,” she added. “But almost all of that time was spent on the complex setup. Once we opened the steer’s pen, he took off up the chute and was in the trailer within minutes.”
Moodini was then transported to Nevins Farm where he is now settling in.
The MSPCA-Angell’s Equine and Farm Animal Rescue team hosts training sessions to teach people equipment and techniques needed to pull off a rescue like Moodini’s. The next session is September 8. More information may be found at mspca.org/equinesafety.
Advanced Equipment Needed!
According to Keiley, placing Moodini in an adoptive home is complicated due to a lack of necessary equipment.
“We’ve needed a squeeze chute for a long time,” he said. “Without it, we can’t do a complete exam on cattle, which we definitely want to do for an animal like Moodini that’s been loose for months. We also need it to give vaccines.”
“A squeeze chute is expensive, about $8,000, but it’s really important, and Moodini coming to the farm cemented our need,” he added, noting that Nevins Farm usually takes in cattle several times each year.
The MSPCA at Nevins Farm is asking anyone able to donate to help acquire a squeeze chute and other supplies needed to help care for animals there to please do so at mspca.org/moo.
What’s Next for Moodini
Moodini will not be able to go to his new home until he undergoes state-mandated testing, as well as some medical exams, but McCarthy says Nevins would like to start searching for adopters immediately.
“Moodini is a little thin, which isn’t surprising considering he’s been living in the woods in Boston for weeks,” she described. “He needs to gain at least 50 pounds, and we’ll work with him to get there, but we believe he’s healthy enough to be rehomed soon.”
Nevins officials are looking to place Moodini in a home with adopters who have cattle experience and other cattle to keep him company, as well as the chute needed to best care for him.
“Moodini is also a little skeptical of humans right now, which makes sense given that he’s been living feral in the woods for months,” added McCarthy. “But we know that he’ll open up and be a great addition to the right family, and we want to find them now, so he’s able to start his new life as soon as he’s ready!”
Interested adopters are asked to submit an inquiry at mspca.org/nevinsadopt.
