On a chilly day in early January 2022, a fleet of animal transport vans and equine ambulances arrived at the MSPCA-Angell: Nevins Farm carrying 96 goats, a young Mustang mare, and an emu. The herd of animals, one of the largest seizures of farm animals in modern MSPCA-Angell history, was removed from a home during an MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement investigation.

Many animals were underweight, and most had intestinal parasites and other ailments. Rescuers established a triage system to assess and treat individual health concerns. Most importantly, rescuers separated the female and baby goats from the uncastrated males. Although many of the females were already pregnant, limiting the potential for more breeding was essential.

At the same time, paddocks across the property were quickly converted from horse paddocks to goat paddocks with new livestock fencing and sheds, allowing the goats an opportunity to live in small groups according to age, sex, and temperament.

In the following months, the animals began to recover from their maladies and flourished. The pregnant goats delivered their kids, much to the joy of staff and volunteers who watched their playful personalities emerge. However, the future of the animals remained uncertain. Considered evidence by the court, the animals were unable to move to permanent adoptive homes, pending the outcome of the court case.

Nearly seven months had passed when the MSPCA-Angell developed a strategy to seek permanent custody of the animals. The MSPCA-Angell filed a petition to order the posting of a bond for the care of the animals while the case proceeded, which was granted by the court. When the previous owner failed to pay the bond, the ownership of the animals was officially transferred to the MSPCA.

Thanks to our generous donors, there are only brighter days ahead for the animals in this case as we move forward with finding adoptive homes.

Learn more about the MSPCA-Angell: Nevins Farm at mspca.org/nevins.