Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats facts for kids
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| Founded | 2003 |
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| Founder | Bob and Valerie Hitch |
| Focus | Animal welfare, animal rescue |
| Location | |
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Area served
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Kent and the surrounding counties |
| Method | animal sanctuaries, popular education, Adult education |
The Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats is a special place in Britain that helps goats. It's a charity that works to keep goats safe and healthy. This charity is in Maidstone, Kent, England. It started in 2003. It's the only charity in the whole UK just for goats!
Contents
How Buttercups Sanctuary Began
The Buttercups Sanctuary began in 1989. That's when Robert and Valerie Hitch started looking after two goats from the RSPCA. More goats came to them because they were unwanted or not looked after well. The cost of caring for all these goats became very high. So, in September 2003, they officially became a charity. This meant they could get help from the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Life at the Goat Sanctuary
The sanctuary now takes care of over 140 goats. They also help about 120 more goats living in foster homes. These foster homes are temporary places where goats can stay.
Common Health Issues for Goats
Goats that arrive at the sanctuary often have health problems.
- Many are not fed enough, which is called malnutrition.
- They might have skin problems like rainscald or mud fever.
- Some have foot rot, which affects their hooves.
- They can also have worms, which makes them sick.
Helping Goats Trust Humans Again
Sometimes, goats come to the sanctuary after being neglected or treated badly. This can make them scared of people. But with gentle care and kindness, many goats learn to trust humans again.
Learning and Research at the Sanctuary
The sanctuary is not just for goats; it's also a place for learning.
Student Work Placements
Students can come to Buttercups Sanctuary for work placements. This helps them with their studies. They learn how to care for animals and how a charity works.
Goat Behavior Research
Scientists from Queen Mary University of London have used the sanctuary for their studies. They research how humans and animals interact. This field of study is called anthrozoology. Some of their research about goats has even been shown on British television!
