Severely Neglected Goat Seized and Brought to Farm Sanctuary

A severely ill and emaciated goat found tethered outside the residence of a Merced County, Calif. man will be arriving at Farm Sanctuary this afternoon for rehabilitation. A good Samaritan reported the case to the Merced County Animal Control and Officer Art Ferrario seized the goat on May 8.

According to Officer Ferrario, upon arriving at the scene, he found a starving goat with painful, overgrown hooves and an advanced case of mastitis, an inflammatory condition affecting lactating animals. The Merced County, Calif. man claimed he purchased the goat only two weeks earlier from a nearby goat farm, however Officer Ferrario expressed skepticism that someone would have bought a goat in such dire condition and not immediately sought out proper veterinary care. Plans to further investigate the goat farm where the goat was purchased and assess the relative condition of the herd of origin are in motion.

The goat is presently stable and in foster care, awaiting safe transport to Farm Sanctuary. She will require extensive medical attention and long term rehabilitation, including the possible removal of an udder. Despite her severe medical problems and general state of neglect, the goat is reported to be showing signs of improvement in foster care, including a hearty appetite.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to provide much needed care to this sweet goat," said Leanne Cronquist, Farm Sanctuary's California Shelter Director. "Cruelty cases involving goats are especially heartbreaking because they are such naturally social animals who love to run and play with other goats. Fortunately, we have more than two decades experience rehabilitating farm animals from abusive situations. We are also working with local authorities to ensure that the person who caused this goat's suffering will be held legally responsible."

The goat will initially take up residence at Farm Sanctuary's shelter hospital for evaluations and will likely be transported to UC Davis Veterinary Hospital's Large Animal Clinic for additional treatments as needed. When she returns to health, she will join more than 350 other farm animals who have been rescued from abuse and neglect, including Cupid, a calf bound for slaughter who was also rescued by Merced County Animal Control officers after he reportedly fell from a transport truck onto Highway 99 near Turlock, California last year. Visitors to Farm Sanctuary's Orland shelter will hear her story and those of many other rehabilitated animals who have been rescued from stockyards, factory farms and slaughterhouses.

Farm Sanctuary's Calif. shelter is located approximately 100 miles north of Sacramento and is open to visitors May-October. More information can be found at farmsanctuary.org.