[Roxy]

As some of you will know I take in unwanted goats.  A lady contacted me today to ask if I could take in FIVE castrated males.  It seems she keeps pygmy goats, and took these young goats in a while back thinking they were pygmys, and they turn out to be a large breed.

Whilst chatting, she told me she had got them from a petting farm.  It seems their policy is just to keep the goats, and probably other young animals, until they grow so big, because they lose the cute factor, and the kids will not be interested.

How sad is that?  There are enough homeless animals, without places breeding animals and then ridding them when they get past the baby stage!!!

I am not saying all petting farms do this, but to be honest, I had naively assumed they kept the goat kids, lambs, chicks etc. forever.

Seems not!!

[little blue]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!
I'd better not say anymore, it could offend others' sensibilities...

WHat sort of goats are they? Or just mongrels?  And were you convinced to help out?!
I phoned a local (ish) rescue centre recently, they said they weren't re-homing the goats they'd got because they wanted to open a petting centre (to attract potential rescuers presumably) Okay then, good luck - you don't want my help then to give a goat a home!

[Roxy]

lady a bit vague on breeds, but by her description over the phone, they sounded to be Toggies.  At least from a petting farm they will be friendly.  And yes, I said I would have them .....but .....she wants pygmies, and I just happen to have a rather bossy castrated billy, who I would be quite happy to let her have, and my pygmy females will be happy too, to get rid of the bully.

I would have thought rescue centres would be welcoming you with open arms to rehome a goat - I thought they were all bursting at the seams with unwanted animals?

What sort of goat are you after?  I seem to be the Derbyshire goat rescue centre now as so many people keep emailing me with their goats!!
I do know of a large rescue place not far from us, that is just for goats - could find the number, and help with delivery of your new goat if need be  lol!!  Can you fit another goat in to your nice small smallholding?!!!

[jameslindsay]

Roxy how disgraceful is that? You would hope that in a place like a petting farm the animals would have the "good life". It is so bad that places like that get away having no regard for their animals welfare, it shouldn't be allowed. Rehoming male goats, castrated or not, must be much harder than rehoming a female too I would imagine. I have 2 Toggenburg castrated boys who are coming up for a year old and I know the fun and enjoyment these boys give, cannot understand how some people operate.

[Jackie]

Cant the castrated male goats be used for meat?

[Roxy]

Yes, technically I suppose they can be used as meat.  But the lady who has them obviously took them on as pets, and from what she said she does not sound like someone who would eat the

[Wizard]

Slightly off course Did none of you read my verbal attack on Professor Hugh Pennington is it still on the RCC Forum
the hypocrite (I will ask Dixie)

[sagehen]

Gosh, how awful! That's burst my idealistic bubble. I also thought they kept animals till they're old, but I suppose they're not a sanctuary. Still, I can't believe they'd do that.

[Sylvia]

I see nothing wrong in Petting Farms using baby animals as an attraction as long as their end is clear i.e. they will go for meat at the end of their "careers" But to just palm them off onto someone is not on!
Most of us ooh! and ahh! over our babies but keep their fate firmly in mind, whatever they are.

[Roxy]

I have seen a few adverts here and there recently.....people advertising goats, sheep, and even hens and ducks.  They were honest enough to admit their children had lost interest now the bird or animal was bigger and had lost that "ahhh factor".  I did wonder, will those people go out and get another baby animal to give to their  chidren, and do the same with it in a few months time?

[doganjo]

Slightly off course Did none of you read my verbal attack on Professor Hugh Pennington is it still on the RCC Forum
the hypocrite (I will ask Dixie)

Where is that, George?  Can you send me the link please. I'd like to read it as Hugh was my late husband's very esteemed and well liked boss in the Labs at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

[ballingall]

I guess some petting centres are like that. Pretty rubbish though! 


Beth

[little blue]

I would have thought rescue centres would be welcoming you with open arms to rehome a goat - I thought they were all bursting at the seams with unwanted animals?
What sort of goat are you after?  I seem to be the Derbyshire goat rescue centre now as so many people keep emailing me with their goats!!
I do know of a large rescue place not far from us, that is just for goats - could find the number, and help with delivery of your new goat if need be  lol!!  Can you fit another goat in to your nice small smallholding?!!!

Well, actually... I fell in love with a donkey! I checked out the dogs they had before we found Sheba.  There was an article in the local paper about this gorgeous donkey, and I thought, well, you can ask!!  And thought I'd get chatting, see wat else they might have!

No,  we havent really room, especially if/when there are goat kids, but thank you for your very kind offer.
If they're togs, I definitely come and see them - might be a potential boyfriend for our little one (or are they castrated?!)

If you get chance, PM me the details of the rescue place... for future reference!!

[Roxy]

Sorry all this lot of goats are castrated!!  I have a very nice British Alpine billy.  He will be a daddy soon - Jasmine the sannan.  I am hoping the kids will be black and white and female of course!!!  Last time I crossed these two breeds, I  got lovely alpine  coloured twins.

I will look up the rescue centre details and pm them to you.

Donkeys are on my wish list ....must have two though, they like to be in pairs.

[Hilarysmum]

Wizard can you post the link please, I'd like to read the article.