Goats are the most widespread dairy animal globally, yet their welfare in commercial dairy operations receives far less attention than cattle.
Dairy goats face many of the same welfare challenges as dairy cattle: early maternal separation, repeated pregnancies, and the killing of male kids who cannot produce milk. Goats are particularly social and vocal, and maternal separation causes prolonged distress vocalizations in both mothers and kids. Disbudding without local anesthesia causes acute pain that is entirely preventable. Higher-welfare goat dairy systems exist but are rare.