GOATS

THE SANCTUARY GOATS

Goats are cheeky, clever animals who are lots of fun to be around. Our 20 goats keep us endlessly entertained with their playful antics, love of cuddles, and constant desire to nibble on anything they can get their teeth around.

Goats traditionally live in mountainous environments and are naturally skilled climbers, so we’ve built them a fun playground structure to explore and enjoy. They also absolutely hate the rain, and ours really appreciate sheltering in the long row of little houses set up in their paddock.

Goat Farming

Goats in Aotearoa are currently farmed for both milk and meat. Dairy goats are repeatedly impregnated in order to produce milk. The babies are taken from them so that the milk can be taken for humans instead of being used to nourish the goat kid. Male kids born into the goat dairy industry are sadly seen as a waste product due to the fact that they will never produce milk. Keeping them alive is not profitable to the industry, so they are killed by two weeks of age.

In the farming industry, goat kids who are granted life beyond their first couple of weeks can expect to undergo ‘disbudding’. This procedure can involve a hot iron that is pressed against the goat kid's horn buds in order to stop the horns from growing, or the use of caustic chemicals or sharp knife/scoop to the same end. This painful practice is often done without pain relief or anaesthesia and can easily lead to injury and infection. We have rescued several goat kids over the years and spared them this experience.

Improper Care for ‘Pet’ Goats

Goats kept as pets in Aotearoa also face their share of mistreatment. They are frequently acquired to be used as lawnmowers, but because of their adept climbing and agility skills, they are quite good at escaping. It is common to find goats short-tethered to prevent them from wandering too far, and despite being a herd animal, pet goats are often solitary. Their restricted movement and lack of social interaction leads to boredom and loneliness. If you are considering having goats as companion animals, we encourage you to research thoroughly beforehand into the care required to give goats a great life.

Sources: https://safe.org.nz/our-work/animals-in-aotearoa/goats/

Introducing Toffee – The Courageous Goat Kid

Toffee arrived at the sanctuary in September 2019 as a tiny, injured wild goat kid in desperate need of help. He had become trapped upside down in a tree after being chased by hunters—a frightening ordeal that cut off circulation to his hind legs and left him temporarily paralysed. Fortunately, a kind passer-by found him just in time and brought him to us for urgent care.

When Toffee first arrived, he was unable to stand and had very little mobility. But from the beginning, he showed an incredible will to live. With months of gentle physiotherapy, specialist veterinary treatment, and round-the-clock attention from our team, Toffee gradually began to regain strength. Step by step, week by week, he learned to use his legs again. Today he can walk, run, play, and climb on his favourite playground structures—something we weren’t sure would ever be possible.

Although Toffee has made remarkable progress, he still has lasting mobility challenges. For his safety and comfort, he lives separately from the main goat herd and instead shares a peaceful paddock with his best friend, Nooch. The two are inseparable and spend their days sunbathing, exploring, and getting up to gentle mischief together.

If you feel inspired by Toffee’s story, you can help support him with a small monthly sponsorship. Your contribution provides his hay, specialised hoof and parasite care, regular vet check-ins, and the safe, accessible space he depends on — helping this brave goat continue to live a comfortable and joyful life.

How to help goats

Sponsor a goat or herd of goats at the sanctuary

Sponsor an individual goat at the Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary

Sponsor a herd of goats at the Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary

Make a general donation towards care for our goat herd. Just $12-$15 buys a bale of hay!

Subscribe to our mailing list to find out about working bees where you can meet the Sanctuary goats.

If you don't live in the lower North Island, please get in touch so we can let you know about other sanctuaries who rescue goats

Download a poster about goat well-being and put it up in your community

Don't consume dairy goat products!