Rescuing Hope: How Ladybug Farm Sanctuary and Sani-Chem Team Up to Save and Protect Farm Animals
You’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger animal lover than Kris Hedstrom. When she started Ladybug Farm Sanctuary in Odessa, FL, three years ago, Hedstrom had decades of animal rescue experience under her belt.
“We’re a farm animal sanctuary for abandoned, abused, injured, neglected and special needs farm animals,” Hedstrom told the Tampa Bay Times. “People just let their goats go, especially bucks, which are not worth a lot to breeders. Or someone buys one for a pet, realizes caring for the animal is a lot of work and money, and then abandons them in a neighborhood.”
It’s not just goats that Hedstrom works to save, though. A recent sheep rescue highlights the importance of the right tools – including chemical disinfectants – in animal rescue operations.
Quarantining a Rescued Sheep
When Hedstrom gets a call about an animal needing rescue, she leaps into action. Getting the animal in question to the sanctuary is just the first step. The real work begins upon arrival, especially with animals like the recently rescued sheep, Hope. Hope and her baby were abandoned together and sadly, the baby was taken by a coyote before they could both be rescued.
Ladybug Farm Sanctuary takes a careful approach to treating and caring for rescued animals. They quarantine new arrivals to ensure they don’t bring diseases that could affect the rest of the animals. During quarantine, Hope received intensive care. During that process, Hope tested positive for Johne’s disease. Johne’s disease is a chronic infection that affects the intestines of ruminants like sheep, goats, and cattle. It requires diligent care and management to prevent its spread and to give the affected animal the best chance of recovery.
Combatting Johne’s Disease with the Proper Products
Kris immediately turned to one of Ladybug Farms’ sponsors, Sani Chem Cleaning Supplies, for assistance to thoroughly disinfect the sheep’s living area. They donated Morton Salt hospital grade disinfectant to get the job done. Being made of only water, salt, and electricity, it’s environmentally friendly to people, animals, and plants.
The Benefits and Power of Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl)
The key ingredient in the Morton Salt disinfectant is Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl), a potent yet safe disinfectant. It kills food-borne pathogens at very low concentrations, which means it doesn’t need to be rinsed off after use. That’s handy in places like kitchens and restrooms. It’s also powerful enough to kill C. diff and other dangerous pathogens found in healthcare facilities.
Our own bodies naturally produce HOCI, it’s unique in that it is a healer for our body’s wounds and infections but is lethal to nearly all known bacteria and viruses. Why does it work so well? HOCl is a water-based solution that contains Free Available Chlorine (FAC), which is the most effective form of chlorine for killing germs. The magic of HOCl lies in its ability to easily penetrate the cell walls of microbes, just like water does. This is because HOCl is about the same size as water molecules and has a neutral pH (between 6.5 and 7.2). Microbes mistake HOCl for water and let it in. Once inside, HOCl destroys the cell wall and breaks down the proteins that the microbe needs to survive. Plus, because HOCl doesn’t have an electrical charge, it doesn’t get repelled by the microbes’ outer walls, which often have a charge.
There are lots of benefits to using HOCl. It’s biodegradable and hospital-grade, and registered with the EPA. It doesn’t cause or make asthma worse, and it has a neutral pH. HOCl is non-synthetic, meaning it doesn’t have any added colors or dyes. Over time, it reverts to water or trace minerals, making it environmentally friendly. And it contains no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are harmful to both health and the environment.
HOCl kills a wide range of germs, including C. diff, E. coli, Listeria, and MRSA, making it an ideal choice for rigorous disinfection needs in animal rescue and healthcare settings.
The Right Cleaning Supplies Make All the Difference
This product helped to control the spread of Johne’s disease and other potential infections. Thanks to Hedstrom, Sani-Chem, and Morton Salt, the infected sheep and the other animals at the sanctuary remained healthy.
Products like Morton Salt hospital grade disinfectant are vital in the daily operations of the sanctuary. They are used to clean not only the living quarters but also the common areas, preventing the spread of any bacteria or viruses that could compromise the health of the animals and people.
Disinfectants for Every Use Case
The partnership with Sani-Chem has allowed Ladybug Farm Sanctuary to focus more on their core mission of rescuing and rehabilitating animals. With the confidence that their facilities are properly sanitized, the team can dedicate more time and resources to providing the specialized care each animal requires.
The tale of the Hope at Ladybug Farm Sanctuary underscores the critical role that disinfectants play in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all animals. No matter your work environment, Sani Chem can recommend the perfect disinfectant solution to meet your needs. From healthcare facilities to animal sanctuaries, our products can tackle even the toughest cleaning challenges.
For those interested in supporting Ladybug Farm Sanctuary, there are numerous ways to get involved. Donations, volunteering, and spreading the word are all invaluable contributions. Hedstrom encourages everyone to visit their website or social media pages to learn more about their mission and how to help.