Moment Rescued Sheep Who ‘Never Had a Baby Live’ Meets Herd of New Friends

A sanctuary documented the heartwarming moment a rescue sheep who lost her babies was saved from slaughter and introduced to a new flock.

Nicole the sheep had just delivered triplets which she could not nurse and therefore died. The farm she was living on had deemed her unprofitable and was about to kill her.

“We were contacted about a 10-year-old sheep living on a farm who was used for breeding for years.

“Nicole was bred over and over again and never had a baby live. And she was going to be killed because she gave birth this week to triplets who died. We needed to act quickly to get her out of this dangerous situation,” a spokesperson for Woodstock Farm Sanctuary (@woodstocksanctuary), based in High Falls, New York, told Newsweek.

The New York sanctuary shared the footage showing Nicole introduced to her new family after a quarantine period. The clip garnered 1.2 million likes and 8.2 million views.

It was raining lightly so the herd was headed back toward the barn, but then the sheep noticed their new brown-colored friend and came back out to greet her.

Nicole leapt out of the van and walked toward her new woolly family, the rest of the welcome committee surrounded her and baaed in excitement.

Toni, a mom and the shortest sheep, led the welcome brigade. She was joined by Simon, a playful youngster and Cat, a sheep with a prosthetic limb, who followed Nicole all day.

Woodstock Farm Sanctuary is turning 20 this year and has around 400 rescued farm animals in its care. Since its formation, it has saved the lives of thousands of animals over the past decades.

“She’s doing wonderful, she’s very comfortable in the sheep barn with her new family. She is not calling out nonstop like she was while she was alone in quarantine, and she is getting used to the routine,” the sanctuary said.

Since Nicole has never had a surviving lamb, the sanctuary was concerned for her health and conducted tests.

“We have her, and she’s safe but not healthy. We are trying to keep this sweet sheep as comfortable as we can while we assess her medical needs,” said the sanctuary.

The vet noticed an abnormal udder as well as thickening and nodules that were not due to fluid or milk.

It is not clear what has caused the abnormalities, but it could be from untreated past infections, inflammation, or even cancer. They are awaiting the results of further blood work and fecal tests.

“Now that she has been treated for parasites, seen by a vet, and we are monitoring for future issues with her udder she is doing well. She has been nervous around humans but very excited when joining the herd after quarantine,” said the sanctuary.

Social media users were bowled over by the loving interaction between the animals.

“I didn’t know sheep were soo welcoming! One baaaaa and they come running to say hi,” said Rosa Estrella.

“Why am I crying over sheep. The way they all run over to her like ‘you’re safe here, we’ll love you,'” wrote Lula.

“Y’all got me crying over a damn sheep named Nicole on a Monday evening,” added Desiree.