Kent Sanctuary Reports Being Overwhelmed by Abandoned Goats

A Kent-based animal sanctuary has informed the BBC that it is struggling with an excessive number of unwanted goats. Buttercups Sanctuary reported an intake of almost 30 goats within the past two weeks, resulting in the facility reaching its full capacity, with its goat population now approximately 130. Matt Huggins, Buttercups communications administrator, stated, “It’s an emergency,” adding, “We are bursting at the seams.” Mr. Huggins explained that the sanctuary, which extends its services to Sussex, faces “big pressure” to find new homes for the goats, thereby creating room for potential future animal rescues. According to Mr. Huggins, he attributes the abandonment of these animals to the ongoing cost of living crisis. However, he noted that identifying a singular cause for the problem is not feasible, as each goat’s situation varies. He mentioned that some goats brought to Buttercups were initially acquired as pets, but their owners either struggled with their care or lost interest. Conversely, Mr. Huggins reported that other goats were discovered by police, having been abandoned by the roadside or “thrown over” the sanctuary’s gate. Mr Higgins, who has been employed at the shelter since 2013, commented, “Goats are very clever. They need lots of stimulation otherwise they get up to mischief quite quickly.” He continued, “But they are a lot of fun,” adding, “Goats are great if you put in the time and effort with them. They are full of personality.” To support the sanctuary, he encourages individuals to contemplate adopting a goat, provided they conduct thorough research and are ready for the commitment. Buttercups, which operates solely on donations, is also seeking financial contributions from the public to cover the care of the goats. Mr. Huggins estimates the daily operational cost of the shelter to be £1,000. He concluded, “Thankfully, we are here,” and remarked, “I don’t think anyone thinks… there would be such need for a facility like this because goats are such a random animal.” “But when you scratch below the surface, they are everywhere.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.