Summer of Baby Goat Rescue
After rescuing Hobbes, a-four-month-old baby goat, we were alerted to another young goat in need. Our friends at Humane Long Island contacted us about a three- or four-month old goat who was found abandoned on Jones’ Beach on Long Island. WARNING: what Bonnie went through is deeply upsetting, so please don’t read further if you are not in a place to process this information. There is no graphic imagery, but Bonnie’s story is very disturbing.
Bonnie being examined by staff
When Bonnie was found on the beach by authorities, she was transported to the vet. There, she was treated for injuries consistent with sexual abuse. This was horrifying to hear, and we knew we needed to take her in and help her begin to heal physically and emotionally. At this time, Bonnie’s abuse is still an active animal cruelty case, so we are not able to share more information. For now, what’s important is that she arrived safe and started receiving care right away.
Bonnie and Caregiver Annastasia
Bonnie fit right in at the med barn, and she and baby Hobbes shared adjacent stalls while they waited for clean bills of health. They made the med barn a LOUD place! Each baby wanted as much attention as the staff could give. Fortunately, by this point, Hobbes was almost recovered from his giardia, and Bonnie’s health test results didn’t take too long to return. We could tell the babies were pretty desperate for company, and because they were about the same age, we readied a small yard outside the med barn so that the two of them to meet and explore together.
When we brought Hobbes and Bonnie out to the yard to officially meet, they did some greeting and sniffing but mostly CHEWING because there was SO MUCH to graze on! Bonnie quickly established herself as Hobbes’ boss, even though he has horns and she does not. The two of them made quick work of the small med barn yard, and we readied a stall at the main goat and sheep barn for them to move into.
Bonnie and Hobbes outside together
Finally, Caregiver Ally brought the two of them to the main barn to move into their big “kid” stall. Here they could see some of the other residents of the Sanctuary: James, who was the baby until they arrived, Chris, Fern, Evie, Ralphie, and many of the others stuck their heads through the gates to see these baby arrivals. Bonnie and Hobbes were a little nervous, but with the support of staff and volunteers they were able to settle in fairly quickly.
These two have integrated into the herd now and are making friends but definitely like to go off on their own to explore! Hobbes and Bonnie are learning new things every day, and even get babysat by Peach, Pia, and other herd members who step in. Hobbes and Bonnie may have thought they were alone in this world, but Sanctuary life means meeting lots of other people who know exactly what you’ve been through. All these goats come from varying cases of exploitation, abandonment, abuse, or neglect, and together they find community.