MONTAGUE — The dozens of goats rescued from a Montague property last month will soon find good homes.
A flood of applications have been received to adopt the goats rescued by The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals after a Montague property owner became “overwhelmed” by the growing goat population.
Nevins Farm, an animal shelter in Methuen currently housing the animals, is taking applications from those who want to adopt.
“The response to the publicity has been overwhelming,” said Rob Halpin, MSPCA spokesman. “The Nevins Farm team has received over 200 emails and phone calls since the story broke. The team is asking for patience as they work through all of the calls and emails.”
More than 40 applications have been received. Everyone who has reached out about the goats will receive a response, Halpin said. The team is now doing home checks on the first 15 applicants as well as checking references.
“Our hope is that we’ll have all the goats adopted into permanent homes in the coming weeks,” said Halpin. Since the goats have been rescued, the team has also held a goat meet-and-greet to pre-screen those interested in adoption and to review home environment scenarios to ensure they are safe and comfortable for goats.
Several of the goats arrived at the shelter infected with worms and the highly contagious, intestinal bacteria Coccidia, and have undergone treatment.
“They’ve settled into life at the farm; they’ve healed from their various ailments and generally seem very happy,” Halpin said. “We have more than enough excellent adoption applications for all 46 of them.”
Ten of the goats are babies, still nursing, and several of the female goats are expected to give birth in the coming days.
The shelter has spent roughly $3,000 caring for the goats. This includes food, fencing for a new paddock area for the herd, medicine and other veterinary care.
Anyone who would like to contribute toward the cost of caring for the goats, and animals like them, may consider a tax-deductible donation to the Equine and Farm Animal Adoption Center: bit.ly/217YcCJ.
Those interested in adopting can visit the organization’s adoption website at bit.ly/25kr1lY.