‘We are drowning in abandoned goats’

A shelter in Kent told the BBC it was overwhelmed with unwanted goats.

Buttercups Sanctuary, which also serves Sussex and Surrey, said it had received around 30 goats in the past fortnight, giving the site has reached maximum capacity and its herd is now around 130.

Buttercups communications administrator Matt Higgins said it was an emergency. “We’re bursting at the seams.”

He says the shelter is under “huge pressure” to rehome the goats so it can free up space if they need to be taken into other rescues.

Mr Higgins says he believes the cost of living crisis is forcing people to give up animals.

But he says it’s impossible to pinpoint a single cause behind the problem because every goat’s story is different.

Some left at buttercups were taken in as pets but owners found them too difficult to care for, or lost interest, he said.

Mr Higgins said in the meantime others had been dumped by police on the side of the road or “thrown in” at the site’s gate.

Mr Higgins, who has worked at the sanctuary since 2013, said: “Goats are very clever, they need a lot of encouragement, otherwise they get up to mischief very quickly.

“But they’re a lot of fun,” Mr. Higgins continued.

“Goats are great if you put time and effort into them. They’re full of personality.”

To help the sanctuary, he’s urging people to consider rescuing a goat, but only if they do their research and are willing to commit.

Butter Cup, which is funded entirely by donations, is also appealing to the public for financial assistance to care for the goats.

Mr Higgins estimates it costs £1,000 a day to run the shelter.

“Thankfully, we’re here,” he added.

“I don’t think anyone would think that … such a facility would be needed because goats are a random animal.

“But when you scratch below the surface, they’re everywhere.”