The Story of Buttercups

Buttercups first started in 1989 when Bob and Valerie Hitch agreed to take just two unwanted goats into care. A few months later an RSPCA inspector, who was a close friend, asked if they could take another goat in need of urgent care. In less than a month, yet another arrived in search of a good home. Before long, goats suffering from all sorts of cruelty and neglect began arriving from around the county.

By 1998, the number of goats had increased to such a degree that it was decided to seek charitable status. After much hard work and frustration, this was finally granted by the Charities Commission in 2003.

Our Aims

Buttercups remains the only charity registered in the United Kingdom with aims focused solely on the welfare of goats. We rescue goats that have been abandoned or have suffered from abuse and neglect. We also take in goats who are simply in need of a new home - perhaps their owners are no longer able to care for them or companion goats have died and left them alone. We also have a longer term aim to help improve the knowledge and education regarding goat welfare nationwide.

As well as having open fields to roam in during the day, all the animals have warm, dry, undercover accommodation at night, either in their own stalls or sharing with a close companion. These stalls are cleaned out daily by our team of dedicated volunteers and each goat is checked, receiving any attention they need such as grooming, foot treatment and medical care.

Caring for the Goats

The Sanctuary has about one hundred goats in permanent residence on site together with about another seventy in foster homes, which remain under the protection of the Charity. The herd is split into two, with a small group of male goats kept separate from the main herd so that 'entire' billy's can be kept in isolation until fully recovered from castration.

Sanctuary Site

The Sanctuary is sited in the beautiful and ancient parkland of Wierton ('pronounced Wyerton'). Records of this location can be traced back to the Norman conquest when William the Conqueror gave the area to his half brother 'The Abe de Wyerton'. The site itself contains a number of beautiful, old trees, some of which are estimated to be around 250 years old.

As well as housing the goats, we also grow hay in some of the adjoining fields as fodder for the animals.

A short trailer showing some of the goats and work at the sanctuary can be found here.

Buttercups Patron

The sanctuary is lucky to have a wonderful Patron in the Rt. Hon. Ann Widdecombe. She is an invaluable supporter for Buttercups, and was responsible for launching our Corporate Sponsor Scheme, which offers a way for companies and organisations to offer their support to our work.

Here she can be seen with two of our goats - Megan and the late dear Bruce.