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Updated 05/07/2012 06:30 PM

Farm Sanctuary opens on-site hospital

Animals at the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen will now have access to one-of-a-kind medical treatment. And it's right on the farm. Our Lara Greenberg tells us about the Farm Sanctuary's new animal hospital and what it will mean for abused and injured animals.

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WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Elliot has abscesses on her legs and can barely walk. But thanks to the new animal hospital at the Farm Sanctuary, her recovery, and her legs, are moving right along. And it's all because of Kera Melrose.

"The facilities that they had, while they were adequate, they really could do so much more and really needed a hospital for these animals that come in who are so terribly sick and neglected and abused," said donor Kera Melrose.

Melrose visited the Farm Sanctuary five years ago and decided she wanted to do something more. Her father invested about $200,000 in the new on-site hospital that opened Monday.

"I told her, well, I've always told you I want to be philanthropic, so I'm willing to back something that you really believe in," said donor Ken Melrose.

It's the first animal hospital in the country specifically designed for victims of the industrialized food system. It has oxygen machines, isolation rooms and an operation room. Until now, animals were transported to Cornell for serious treatment.

This surgical table will be used for a number of animals, but mostly turkeys and hens who can't handle the transport to Cornell.

"Sometimes the drive is just so stressful and so far that they'll lose the animal on the way," said Melrose.

"A lot of animals come here from just absolutely tragic situations. And it's one less step. It's like letting them stay at home to be treated," said National Shelter Director Susie Coston.

So animals like Elliot can get better, faster.

There are currently three animals staying at the hospital. But it can hold more than 40 large birds and dozens of piglets.