ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Residents are banding together and sending in donations to save a beloved steer from the slaughterhouse this weekend.
A GoFundMe launched by Annapolis resident Miles Kimbrough has raised thousands to save Carl, a 1,400-pound Charolais steer up for auction at the Anne Arundel County Fair on Saturday.
The nearly 3-year-old steer is housed at the Kinder Farm Park in Millersville.
"If you have ever taken your kids to see the animals there, you have probably met him," reads the GoFundMe listing. "He is the big cream-colored one who always walks over to the fence and licks your hand."
To date, the campaign has raised over $13,000.
Although the initial goal of the fundraiser was set at $10,000, it was increased to $16,000 on Friday after Carl won the best in show category at the fair on Thursday. Kimbrough explained in a recent update that the category win would likely make the steer more in demand among other bidders.
The thousands of dollars raised so far will be put toward securing Carl, with any excess funds used for his transport and future care.
Kimbrough said in his latest update that if he's able to nab the winning bid on Carl, the steer will be going to his new home at the Wild Kid Acres petting zoo in Edgewater.
"Tomorrow I will be personally bidding on him, and with a lot of luck and your continued prayers and donations, we'll be able to save Carl," Kimbrough said.
The fair is being held at 1450 Generals Highway in Crownsville.
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