Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, New York 

Showing up on Brooklyn streets with a Texas ear tag, Joey most likely escaped from a NY live market. Brought to Farm Sanctuary, he was terrified for six months, attempting to escape multiple times. Once he realized the sanctuary was a safe place, he settled into his goat herd, and then eventually into the sheep flock, where he became the leader after the passing of his predecessor. Despite his terrified beginnings, Joey was extremely friendly and gentle with goats, sheep, and humans alike. He loved attention and his herdmates, and led them until infirmity would no longer allow him to lead the way.

Out to Pasture Sanctuary, Estacada, Oregon

Luke and his brother Han are angora goats, the breed of goat that is used to produce mohair. Out to Pasture took them in after their previous caretaker could not manage the number of goats they had. Luke tends to be a bit shier than Han, and while not unfriendly with humans, he tends to be a bit flighty in demeanor, often ducking into the small enclosure within the goat area that was originally intended for the sanctuary cats. 

Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, Pittsboro, North Carolina

Sweet Mama spent the first seven years of her life as a dairy goat, forced to provide her milk to the humans that claimed ownership of her rather than the kids she bore and likely did not see again. When a common dairy goat disease, CAE, started to show signs in her, she was considered useless and sent to auction. She escaped, found temporary shelter at another farm where she gave birth to twins. From there Sweet Mama and her kids Ace and Ivy came to true refuge at Piedmont, and there she will be cared for and treated as the loving individual she is, granted the opportunity to nurture her last children and herself for the first time.

Green Acres Farm Sanctuary, Silverton, Oregon

Ester Ray & Myrtle are sisters who came to Green Acres with their sister Evelyn at only ten days of age. They are fortunate because their mother Birdie also came with them after being used as a dairy goat for eight years. When Birdie gave birth to triplets, she did not have enough milk for little Ester Ray, so Green Acres bottle-fed her around the clock. Goat families form extremely strong bonds, spending their entire lives together, and the triplets were the first babies Birdie ever got to keep.

Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, Poolesville, Maryland

Differently abled farmed animals are often callously disposed in the industries that profit off of them. They do not bring revenue, so very little to no veterinary treatment is provided. This holds true regardless of how large or small the operation; injured animals cost money. Such was the case for little Evie who had a fractured back leg. Her owners were just going to shoot her, but luckily a vet intervened and secured her release to Poplar. There Evie had the surgery to remove the injured leg, and she now runs and gambols like the energetic young goat she is; lavished with attention by her human friends, Evie steals hearts with her antics and her joyous interaction with the humans around her. 

Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, New York

Avery was part of a loving family that attempted to provide for the baby goat, but they could not afford the veterinary bills at Cornell University when Avery became gravely ill. The medical condition that afflicted Avery would have killed him without treatment, but because of their strong relationship with Farm Sanctuary, Cornell vets reached out to the sanctuary who took him in. After his life-saving procedure, Avery arrived at the Watkins Glen location where he quickly showed himself to be a slightly oddball goat, doted upon by the humans around him.

Green Acres Farm Sanctuary, Silverton, Oregon

Green Acres Farm Sanctuary, Silverton, Oregon

Wildwood Farm Sanctuary, Newberg, Oregon

It is rather obvious how Billy Blue-Eyes captured his name, as his piercing, inquisitive eyes seem to glow.  Billy Blue-Eyes and his family members were seized by law enforcement from a situation bad enough to cause officers to act.  Since farmed animals are viewed as property, getting law enforcement to act can be tricky and full of legal procedures that leave animals suffering and rescuers frustrated by the process.  Billy and his crew now roam Wildwood happily playing and exploring the lush green sanctuary.

Green Acres Farm Sanctuary, Silverton, Oregon

Green Acres Farm Sanctuary, Silverton, Oregon

Fauna’s human companion became very ill and could no longer care for her and her companion Flora. The care and keeping of farmed animals when troubles beset human companions can cause a great amount of stress for both the humans and their charges, but these pygmy goat girls were able to find a home at Green Acres. Flora has sadly passed away, yet Fauna troops around the sanctuary, marching to her own individual elderly goat beat, part of the herd, but doing her own thing and occasionally allowing humans to lavish her with attention.

Green Acres Farm Sanctuary, Silverton, Oregon

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Rescued in 2010 from a North Eastern San Diego hoarding case where he was one of 114 goats, Dennis was the hardest goat to catch and get on the transport trailer to the sanctuary...and he only had three legs. Physical difference did not slow this boy down, as he showed us when we arrived to transport him to safety and four volunteers had to secure him. He would do hoof-stands, elevating his back leg off the ground, all while keeping an eye on humans around him. We will likely never know how he lost his rear left leg, but we do know that in the course of his time at Animal Acres, Dennis was an inspiration.

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

An independent and cantankerous old lady goat, Molly captured everyone’s heart who was fortunate to meet her at Animal Acres. Molly frequently did her own thing separate from the goat herd; she often could be found lounging in the sun while the rest of the herd was off browsing. At times she would be rather demanding of attention and at others dismissive. Rescued from a neglect case, Molly lived at Animal Acres for her twilight years, enjoying the freedom to be the strong-willed senior amongst many humans who loved and doted upon her.

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Arriving from an animal shelter in Bakersfield, CA, Nebuchadnezzar wasted no time in garnering the nickname “Butthead” for his playful attempts to knock humans on their butts.  Unlike some cantankerous caprines, Nebby always acted out of play rather than aggression.  He especially loved to play “terrify the FedEx guy,” done when he would race to greet the delivery and rear up (wicked-looking horns darting about) with his front legs on the gate, trying desperately to taste the package being delivered.

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Born at the sanctuary with her twin brother Coco in 2009, Nilla narrowly avoided exposure to the cruel conditions her momma Elle endured. Elle was one of several goats seized from a backyard butcher and was pregnant with the twins at the time the sanctuary came to their rescue. Often these girls become baby-making machines for the people that run such clandestine, though often unfortunately legal, operations. If you come upon Nilla now you may be lucky enough to get nuzzled by this sweet girl, or she might totally ignore you and run up Goat Hill. She is a capricious girl, often taking after her skittish mother, but just as often asking for scratches between her horns.

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Animal Place, Grass Valley, California

Charlene and Laura have been together for a decade at Animal Place. Charlene was a pet in a condo, kept on a tiny deck in a crate until animal control intervened. Laura was a breeder doe that was sent to auction for slaughter when she broke her leg; she was drug around by her broken leg with no regard for the massive pain of her injury. Rescued and meeting at Animal Place, these does bonded and are obviously madly in love with each other, showing affection to one another not given to others in the goat herd - clearly demonstrating the emotional bonds all animals form.

Animal Place, Grass Valley, California

Mr. G and Jellybean were living at a place verging on hoarding. Animal control intervened and a rescuer found sanctuary homes for the pair, albeit separately. Their bond became evident when Mr. G refused to eat for six days; with nothing physically wrong the only conclusion was that he was depressed. This was proven true when Animal Place brought Jellybean to him and Mr. G went from barely moving to dancing around his friend and eating from her bowl. Now the pair lives at Animal Place and teaches visitors about the depth of non-human animal emotions.

Animal Place, Grass Valley, California

Ching Farm Rescue & Sanctuary, Herriman, Utah

Ching Farm Rescue & Sanctuary, Herriman, Utah

Rascal was a neighborhood goat in Ogden, UT whom the community fed and guarded for a time.  However, Animal Control apprehended the sociable goat squatter, and he was bailed out and brought to sanctuary.  He lived for more than a decade there, greeting visitors and the sanctuary founder Faith with his high-pitched call and his inquisitive friendliness.

Farm Sanctuary, Orland, California

Farm Sanctuary, Orland, California

Farm Sanctuary, Orland, California

Farm Sanctuary, Orland, California

Farm Sanctuary, Orland, California

Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary, Stockton, California 

Discovered wandering near a horse stable, covered in dirt, feces, and urine, Merl might have been sold at auction, likely to end up slaughtered for meat, had Harvest Home not been able to intervene. Goat meat is not something often seen on American plates, but its sale in recent years, and trends toward both goats bred specifically for meat and those bred for dairy whose male offspring are of no use, are rapidly on the rise. Merl defies his body being used in such a way, and pretty much defies everything not of his own whim. This strong-willed boy has no problem showing his moods and keeping humans in line.

Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary, Stockton, California

Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary, Stockton, California

Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary, Stockton, California

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

Grommet and his brother Wallace were found in the ditch just outside of Lighthouse, dumped like garbage rather than the curious and friendly kids they are.  It is not uncommon for sanctuaries to discover abandoned animals at their gates.  Often these kids are lucky to be alive, especially in climates where weather exposure can be lethal.  Grommet is quite social, often to the point of making a nuisance of himself, and he and his brother found themselves in the perfect place to feed their love of attention.

Sanctuary One, Jacksonville, Oregon

Curly Sue was one of thirty goats rescued from a neglect case, many of them suffering from some form of disability.  Curly Sue suffers from arthritis brought on by her elder years, and left neglected it would have debilitated her. When she arrived at Sanctuary One she was one of the shiest of the herd, but after some time in safety at the sanctuary, Curly Sue has now become one of the friendliest goats, showing her sweetness to caregivers with goat kisses in the morning before heading out to the pasture.

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

Wallace and his brother Grommet were found in the ditch just outside of Lighthouse, dumped like garbage rather than the curious and friendly kids they are.  It is not uncommon for sanctuaries to discover abandoned animals at their gates.  Often these kids are lucky to be alive, especially in climates where weather exposure can be lethal.  Wallace exhibits a calm inquisitiveness with visitors, slowly inspecting the bipeds that venture into the pasture.

Out to Pasture Sanctuary, Estacada, Oregon

Lars was being sent to slaughter because one of his favorite past times is butting heads with other goats, a normal form of play and social structure building within goat herds. Luckily Out to Pasture was able to take the pygmy goat boy in, and he now gets to butt heads all he wants with Rambo sheep. Lars is curious but cautious around humans; he very much likes the treats they often have, but he is not the biggest fan of being snuggled in order to get them.

Out to Pasture Sanctuary, Estacada, Oregon

Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, Poolesville, Maryland

Out to Pasture Sanctuary, Estacada, Oregon

Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, New York

Levi was found, scared and emaciated, in Brooklyn. It is suspected that he somehow escaped a live market, as his Kentucky tags marked “meat” indicate he was transported in to the city. How he escaped is unknown and miraculous, as this boy has issues with his back that cause problems with his movement and he may possibly be a fainting goat. However he escaped, Levi found his way into the safety of Farm Sanctuary where his terror has started to abate, and he will receive a loving community to help him come out of his shell.

Out to Pasture Sanctuary, Estacada, Oregon

PreetiRang Sanctuary, Dixon, California

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

Sanctuary One, Jacksonville, Oregon

Freddy and his brother Friday were victims of a home foreclosure that not only drastically affected the humans involved, but also these goat boys.  It is unknown how many non-human animals are affected by foreclosures, but a terrifying reality is that many foreclosures leave companions abandoned at the properties, especially in the case of farmed animals for whom it may be harder to find alternate homes.  Luckily for Freddy and Friday, Sanctuary One was able to take them in, and these boys have made their place as the official sanctuary ambassadors to human visitors with their love of attention and friendly dispositions.

Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary, Stockton, California

Mocha was purchased by an Oakland Hills neighborhood to be a lawnmower for the brush in their area. This intrepid girl soon proved that she had other ideas when she started getting on top of the residents’ roofs, exploring as goats are wont to do, especially the spots with higher vantages. Realizing that Mocha was a thinking, feeling, and adventurous individual versus a machine that can be turned off, the neighborhood found her a safe place at Harvest Home where she can clamber all she wants on the goat gym without needing a job to do.

Sanctuary One, Jacksonville, Oregon

Friday and his brother Freddy were victims of a home foreclosure that not only drastically affected the humans involved, but also these goat boys.  It is unknown how many non-human animals are affected by foreclosures, but a terrifying reality is that many foreclosures leave companions abandoned at the properties, especially in the case of farmed animals for whom it may be harder to find alternate homes.  Luckily for Friday and Freddy, Sanctuary One was able to take them in, and these boys have made their place as the official sanctuary ambassadors to human visitors with their love of attention and friendly dispositions.

Wildwood Farm Sanctuary, Newberg, Oregon