Goats are highly social, curious animals with complex social hierarchies, and sanctuary environments must address their specific physical and psychological welfare needs.
Sanctuary goats frequently arrive with chronic health problems from intensive production: foot rot, internal parasites, CAE (caprine arthritis encephalitis), and dental disease. Addressing these requires specialist veterinary care. Beyond physical health, goats need social companions, environmental complexity, and behavioural variety. Single goats or small isolated groups show stereotypies and chronic stress responses.