Maidstone goat sanctuary copes with increase of abandoned animals

In the cold winter months they worry even more will be at their doors in the coming weeks.    Kristin Hawthorne reports.

Transcript

00:00In recent weeks there has been an increase in the amount of goats handed

00:04over to the Buttercup Sanctuary near Maidstone. Usually they take in around

00:08three to four a month but have received over 30 in November alone. One of the

00:12goats in this farm is called Hank and he was dangerously abandoned at a petrol

00:16station surviving on handouts from drivers. Thanks to Buttercup Sanctuary

00:20however he is much safer and caregivers even say that he's thriving. Surprisingly

00:25though this is only one of a hundred and thirty other stories on this

00:28sanctuary. Around Christmastime we usually hear about dogs or cats being

00:34abandoned but this year it seems like goats have joined them. Buttercup

00:38Sanctuary alone have over 130 goats that they care for every day each costing an

00:44average of £1,000 a year. Being a very intelligent animal they are often

00:49harder and more expensive to look after than people may expect. Personally I've

00:53been involved with Buttercup since 2011 and prior to that I would never have

00:57thought that anyone would have a goat as a pet and it's astonishing to realise

01:01that majority of the goats here at the sanctuary at Buttercup have come from

01:04Kent and Sussex alone. I think there's a common perception that goats eat

01:08everything. Our goats here particularly are quite picky so if for example we

01:13supplement feed them with hay especially in the winter months and if the hay hits

01:17the floor they won't eat it. There is a common perception where goats can be

01:21tethered and and be left out like sheep and they haven't got a lanyard in part

01:25to their fur so they can get waterlogged, they can get hypothermia in cold

01:30conditions and they do need to be put away at night. At this sanctuary however

01:33they appreciate when people admit they need help and do the best that they can

01:37for the animal even if it means giving them up. Claire has fostered seven goats

01:42that live at her home. She says they aren't too difficult to take care of but

01:46the right facilities are needed for their health and safety. They need proper

01:50fencing, a big area to graze, the correct food and plenty of socialization with

01:54other goats. You should care about everything, you should care about people,

01:58you should care about animals, you should care about the climate change, you

02:03could care about everything in the world. Having more than 70 volunteers

02:07already many seem to be eager to spend time with and care for the goats. From my

02:12time here I can see why so many love the animal. Buttercup Sanctuary are open to

02:16donations, new volunteers and they even offer adoptions. The takeaway is always

02:21do what is best for the animal and never be ashamed to ask for help.

02:25Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV in Boughtonland Chelsea.