Get Your Goat: There Are 46 of Them in Need of Homes at the MSPCA

MASSACHUSETTS—You needed some help with the lawn anyway, right?

A record number of goats-in fact the largest ever single surrender to the MSPCA-Nevins Farm-started coming in on May 12, when 35 of them were transported to the farm. Another 11 followed in the subsequent days. They included babies, youngsters and adults.

"It's definitely one of the largest goat surrenders we've ever managed," said Gia Barss, barn manager for Nevins Farm, who has been working nonstop to settle the goats into temporary living quarters, in a release.

The goats are an assembly of Alpine, Pygmy and Angora mixes and were surrendered from a Western Massachusetts property when the goats' former owner, whose identity is not being released, became overwhelmed with the growing herd and voluntarily turned the animals over to the MSPCA's law enforcement department.

A remarkably diverse herd, several of the females are pregnant and there are 10 nursing babies ("kids") younger than six months old. Some of the older members of the herd are upwards of five years old.

Most of the goats have tested positive for Coccidia, said the MSPCA, a bacteria that causes intestinal upset and is highly contagious, as well as parasitic infections including round, whip and tape worms. The goats spent their first week in quarantine to protect the nearly 200 other farm animals currently housed at Nevins Farm, and are responding well to treatment.

"Despite these ailments-which are not uncommon when a population of herd animals like goats is allowed to grow unchecked-they are generally well socialized and friendly animals," said Barss in a statement. Barss believes all of the goats will recover completely.

Barss has made an urgent appeal to adopters to take in one or more of goats, which will be available for adoption in the coming days. Adopters should have goat care experience and an understanding of goats' need for socialization. "Goats are herd animals and do much better with friends of their own kind-or even the company of ponies or other herd animals," said Barss in the announcement. "We also hope to adopt out many of these goats in pairs or groups."

The MSPCA-Nevins Farm will spend upwards of $3,000 providing medical care and housing for the goats. Readers who wish to contribute toward the care of these goats, and other animals like them, can click here.

Photo Credit: MSPCA