Goldsborough Cow Cuddling Co pets back in the Valley

Cow cuddling therapy pets have been saved from slaughter in an eleventh hour reprieve after the mothballing of a Goldsborough business and attempted sale of the herd at the Mareeba saleyards.

The cows were part of a Goldsborough Valley social enterprise called the Cow Cuddling Co.

Cow cuddling therapy pets have been saved from slaughter in an eleventh hour reprieve after the mothballing of a Goldsborough business and attempted sale of the herd at the Mareeba saleyards.

Sally, Ella, Milkshake, Holly, Sophie, Amie, and Daisy were never bred as beef cattle and were gifted to the Gordonvale High School’s agricultural studies program before ending up at a farm outside Cairns.

In 2021 the herd then became part of the Cow Cuddling Co, described as a therapeutic social enterprise by founder and burnt-out business strategist Lawrence Fox.

But according to the Cow Cuddling Co website the business is “temporarily closed for renovations” and will be closed to the public for the remainder of 2024.

Therapy cows, Sally, Ella, Milkshake, Holly, Sophie, Amie, and Daisy raised as pets have been rescued from the Mareeba saleyards.

It’s unclear how the cows came to leave the Goldsborough Valley but on Tuesday a community member recognised the distinct marking of Sally in a pen waiting to be sold as beef cattle.

The development triggered a community intervention to rescue the dearly loved cows.

Goldsborough resident Kate Rasmussen said the intended buyer for lot 32 was a local butcher however the sale fell through.

“When I got notified I was beside myself,” she said.

The cows were part of a Goldsborough Valley social enterprise called the Cow Cuddling Co. Local Kate Rasmussen pictured here helped raise funds to rescue the cows. Picture: Supplied

The cows were part of a Goldsborough Valley social enterprise called the Cow Cuddling Co.

“People want them for meat and it would be very rare to find anyone else to take them.”

A fundraiser to finance the buying back of the cows managed to collect more than $2000 in less than four hours on Tuesday afternoon and after dozens of phone calls and messages trying to find out where the cows had gone, Ms Rasmussen wept with joy when the cows were returned to Goldsborough.

“I have cried for two days about this, people love those cows,” she said.

The breakthrough came on Wednesday afternoon when the cows were rescued from the Mareeba saleyards and returned to their paddock.

“After much heartache and distress throughout (Tuesday), and many people trying to get a resolution and find out what happened to these beautiful animals, we have finally been advised that the cows are returning to their former home in Goldsborough Valley,” Ms Rasmussen said.

“They are safe (and) we have offered to donate the money raised to feed and/or vet care for the girls.”

Cow Cuddling Co was contacted for comment.

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Originally published as Goldsborough Cow Cuddling Co pets back in the Valley