Found a Stray Goat?
Stay calm, keep a safe distance and follow these steps:
Goats are often purchased to clear weeds and overgrown land, then abandoned once they grow too large or their owners can no longer cope with their care. Left to fend for themselves, these animals face starvation, injury, and exposure with nowhere safe to go.
Goats are also social animals who need to be around other goats to thrive.
As the only veterinary organisation in Victoria that responds to every species of animal — including non-native wildlife and farm animals — Vets for Compassion is often the only hope for abandoned goats.
Goat rescues are rarely simple. These animals are large, strong, and easily spooked, so a single rescue can take months of planning and involve dozens of volunteers, including specially-trained darters and experienced veterinary staff.
Once rescued and treated, goats are rehomed through Vets for Compassion’s network of partner shelters, including Edgar’s Mission, giving them a genuine second chance at a safe life.
How You Can Help Goats
- Report stray goats as soon as possible, so they can get the care they need
- Don’t buy or adopt a goat to maintain your lawn — goats are not lawnmowers. They prefer leaves, brush and woody plants to grass and can become malnourished if fed only grass or hay
- Drive carefully on rural roads — stray goats are at risk of being hit by cars
Goats helped in 2025
Donate now to help sick and injured goats
