Early one morning in late September 2006, staff members at Farm
Sanctuary’s Northern California Shelter had an unexpected, yet very welcome, surprise waiting
for them when they arrived at the sanctuary. Left outside the front gate was
a small and timid goat.
Poppy with buddy Justin
We will never know what Poppy went through before being left
at Farm Sanctuary, but what we do know is what her life has been like since her
arrival.
Poppy is an amazing lady who gets along with almost every
goat she meets. She is still timid around humans — well, unless there are
treats involved (she will come up and get right in your face if you have treats)! Her favorite snacks are strawberries and blueberries, and when
either are involved she is the first one to run up.
When Poppy isn’t enjoying treats from her humanimal friends, she is hanging out with her best friends Raposal and Madeline. These three live in one of our goat herds, and are rarely separated from one another.
Poppy hanging out with her some of her goat buddies! Bill, Hal, Poppy, and Raposal (left to right).
Poppy has become an integral part of her herd. The other goats — especially Raposal — look to her to lead the way. When it’s time to go inside for the night Raposal will often refuse to enter the barn if Poppy isn’t already inside or right behind her on her way in.
Poppy was an adult when she was left at the sanctuary, and she has been living at Farm Sanctuary for more than 10 years now! Being an older goat, she needs some extra care. She gets a small amount of grain soaked into a mash once a day in addition to some very soft hay, which is easier for her to chew.
Poppy loves her daily mash!
In fact, she will often stand by the bowl, hoping to get a little more after she finishes.
Poppy cleaning her face after enjoying her mash.
As goats age, it is not uncommon to see a variety of health problems arise. Poppy recently had to undergo surgery to remove a large benign mass in her uterus. Farm Sanctuary caregivers are trained to recognize any signs of illness, and when we noticed Poppy acting differently than her usual self, we knew something was wrong. We took her to a veterinary hospital, were the tumor was discovered, and she had surgery just a few days later. Once she was back at home, she got to wear a fancy pink jacket to ensure that her tummy, which had been shaved for the surgery, stayed warm and clean. She recovered beautifully and is now back to her amazing self.
After 10 years at Farm Sanctuary, Poppy is still living the good life. She enjoys every day, and is free to live as she chooses. We are so happy that Poppy came to Farm Sanctuary all those years ago!
Please share Poppy’s story. Together, we can raise awareness that goats like her are each someone, not something, deserving of love, care, and respect. With your support, we can continue to promote compassionate vegan living through rescue, education, and advocacy efforts. A compassionate world begins with you!
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