The OLS Goat Herd
Since opening our sanctuary, we’ve been lucky enough to develop a wonderful herd of goats. Goats are social, and happiest when part of a herd. They’re not picky about who is in their herd, just that they can help ward off predators. The goats who live on the sanctuary land will include humans in their herd, and follow us on evening walks through the fields. Read on to find out more about the goats we live with…
Daisy
A backyard rancher raising goats for meat allowed us to rescue Daisy. We can tell she wasn’t treated well because she doesn’t want to be touched by people, even her regular caretakers. She will approach us to see if we have any snacks for her, but she doesn’t want any interaction beyond that. We are happy to let her live out her life here, where she is free to roam with her herd all day and doesn’t need to endure any unwanted human attention.
Approximate Birthdate: 8/1/19
Arrived Home: 1/1/20
Violet & Cobalt
We were lucky enough to rescue the adorable Violet and her son, Cobalt, from a petting zoo. Both goats are shy around people and didn’t like the unwanted attention they were receiving at the petting zoo. Petting zoos, as well as meat and dairy farms, painfully use a hot iron or caustic paste on goats when they are only a few days old so they don’t grow horns. This causes life long problems with for the goats as they sometimes grow a partial horn, which is painful when breaking through the scarring. Also, it is hard for them to defend themselves when a goat with horns head butts them as a challenge or to keep them away from food. Cobalt was neutered at the petting zoo with the banding method, where a small rubber band is placed around the scrotum. This is also a painful practice that last for weeks while the tissue dies and falls off. Violet and Cobalt are sweet and sensitive. They have friends within our herd, and have gotten more comfortable around the people they trust.
Violet’s Approximate Birthdate: 6/1/19
Cobalt’s Approximate Birthdate: 1/1/20
Arrived Home: 4/1/20
Paisley & Emma
Emma was rescued from a Rio Vista meat farm by a kind person and was very nervous at first. Emma was already pregnant when she was rescued and soon gave birth to Paisley. The caretaker saw that Paisley was very sick but was able to nurse her back to health. Paisley grew up to be significantly larger than her mother! The neighbors eventually complained about the goats, so their person reached out to us to take them. Emma is very sweet and gentle and has the cutest little legs! When our previous herd leader, Petal, passed away, Paisley was very quick to step into the leader role. She is a great protector of the herd, and isn’t shy about using her horns to move people and goats out of her way. She loves to be brushed though, and keeps her horns to herself when the brush comes out!
Emma’s Approximate Birthdate: 4/1/17
Paisley’s Approximate Birthdate: 3/1/18
Arrived Home: 6/1/20
Phil
Phil was rescued by Animal Liberation Temple from a farmer who thought he was too aggressive. Phil was being feed a poor diet and had his horns removed in the most inhumane way possible, so it’s understandable if Phil didn’t like the farmer. We have never experienced any aggression from Phil. He is one of the sweetest, most gentle and social goats we’ve ever met. When the brushes come out, Phil is always first in line and stays close by when his turn is over, hoping to be brushed again or encouraging people to pet him with their free hand while they’re brushing someone else!
Approximate Birthdate: 9/1/20
Arrived Home: 2/10/22
Matt
Matt was rescued by Animal Liberation Temple when he was only one week old. A dairy farmer had a change of heart after killing Matt's mother for poor milk production and decided not to sell Matt for food. Our goats were happy to welcome Matt into their herd when Animal Liberation Temple moved onto our land. It’s hard to tell whether Matt likes goats or people more!
Approximate Birthdate: 3/1/21
Arrived Home: 2/10/22
Rob
Rob was rescued from the meat industry. He now gets to live out his life free from fear. It is a joy to watch Rob in his daily routine of climbing, exploring, playing on the seesaw and giving and receiving love! He was still very young when he came to live with us and is very sensitive and talkative. Rob is kind and caring with all of his herd mates and is usually one of the first ones to run up and greet people.
Approximate Birthdate: 11/1/21
Arrived Home: 3/4/22
Bunny
We rescued two goats from a dairy farm when their production declined and they were going to be slaughtered. We were lucky enough to be able to rescue Bunny at the same time to save her from a life of exploitation. She is a Nigerian dwarf goat, so she is smaller than most of our goats, but she is confident and easy-going, which allowed her to fit in nicely with the rest of the herd. She is very social with people and loves to play and explore.
Approximate Birthdate: 5/29/22
Arrived Home: 8/29/22
Quincy & Tallulah
These gentle girls were taken in by a rescue group from a person who breeds goats for dairy production. We had recently rescued Penelope and Anthony, who were quite young and needed a mother figure. The plan was for us to take in either Quincy or Tallulah and foster the other until the rescue group found a permanent placement. However, when we saw that Quincy and Tallulah were bonded, we decided to keep them together with us.
Approximate Birthdate: 9/14/22
Arrived Home: 9/14/24
Penelope
Penelope showed up on our property and found our herd of goats. She is terrified of people and it was clear that she had been tied up, so we could tell that she wasn’t being treated well before she rescued herself. She loves other goats, but still keeps her distance from humans. We are happy to give her space and respect her boundaries.
Approximate Birthdate: 3/30/24
Arrived Home: 8/30/24
Anthony
Anthony was found on the side of the road in Stockton in an area where goats are raised for slaughter. Luckily, he wound up at a vegan’s house, who contacted us. Anthony joined Penelope, who had also rescued herself to avoid slaughter, and they immediately became friends. Anthony is very confident and loves people, so he is teaching Penelope not to be so scared of us.
Approximate Birthdate: 6/12/24
Arrived Home: 9/12/24
Cobalt and Emma try to see if Violet left any room in the bucket for them!
Some of our more adventurous (or naughty) goats like to squeeze under a fence and get on the barn roof!
Daisy shows off her amazing balance!
Rob drives the Bobcat while Matt, Paisley, Emma and Cobalt help with the stones! Ha!
Daisy prefers the top bunk, and Paisley and Emma enjoy snuggling together on the bottom bunk!
Rob is king of the Bobcat!
Rob loves the seesaw! When the other goats don't want to join him up there, volunteers are happy to step in to play with him.
Some times the goats take a break from exploring the hills and come to the barn to visit us!
The goats are always open to hanging out with other species, like our resident goose and turkey!