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About Buttercups

 

Buttercups very first began when Bob and Valerie Hitch agreed to take two unwanted goats into care in 1989. A few months later, an RSPCA inspector asked if they could accept another goat in need of urgent care. In less than a month, yet another arrived. Before long, goats suffering from all sorts of cruelty and neglect were arriving from around the county. By 2003, with so many goats to care for, the sanctuary became a registered charity. Our Patron is the wonderful and invaluable Rt. Hon. Ann Widdecombe (right).

Aims

We're the only registered charity in the UK who care solely for the welfare of goats. We rescue abandoned, abused and neglected goats, and we also help animals simply in need of a new home whose owners can no longer care for them or who have been left alone after the death of companion goats. We also help improve the knowledge and education about goat welfare nationwide.

Awards

In 2007, Bob and Valerie Hitch received the Elsie M J Evans award from the RSPCA in recognition of their outstanding animal rescue work.


Our goats

We have about 137 goats living on site, with about another 109 under our protection in foster homes. Some of our goats are rescued from cruel and unsuitable situations and others can no longer be looked after by their original owners.

Our herd is split into two - a main group and a small herd of males where entire billies are kept isolated from the main group until they've recovered fully from castration. Our goats can roam over open fields during the day and have warm, dry, undercover accommodation at night, either in individual stalls or sharing with a close companion. These stalls are cleaned daily by our team of dedicated volunteers and each goat receives any attention needed daily such as grooming, foot treatment and medical care.
 

 

Buttercups on Film

Get a better idea of our adorable goats and the work we do at Buttercups from these video clips:

Valley Films Video

This clip shows a short trailer taken from the full length film Valley Films has made of the sanctuary. We hope you enjoy it and, if you want to see more about a typical day at Buttercups, consider buying the DVD from our shop (all proceeds in aid of our goats.

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About Valley Films>

©video: Valley Films 2000 - 2010

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YouTube Butterclips

Goat gymnastics

 

   

The morning feed, through to the daily routine of care, grooming and cleaning out of the goats. See the goats at rest and in mischievious play. Ideal for those suffering withdrawal symtoms whilst the sanctuary is closed to visitors over the winter, or for anyone unable to get to us who wants to know more.
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Both the Buttercups clip and full DVD were made by Valley Films in 2009. The film makers kindly supplied their expertise, time and equipment free of charge.

Valley Films was formed in 1998 by a small group of people who were disillusioned with the way some established video clubs worked. Based in Kent, their objective is to develop the art and skills of amateur film-making. To this end they are structured along the lines of a small production group, but without the professional constraints of having to earn a living at filmmaking or meeting client briefs. They use the talents within for film making but have also developed strong working relationships with a number of amateur acting groups. Their aim is to produce high quality, entertaining films - and to have a good time whilst doing it.

During the latter part of 2009, many of the Valley Films team worked hard filming a wide variety of scenes at Buttercups, covering the daily routine of caring for the goats and of catering to their medical and social needs. The only problem with filming was the team began to fall for the charms of the goats, 'popping in' just to see how they were doing, and of course carrying out more filming during each visit.

The video clip on the buttercups website is a short trailer for the full length promotional DVD Valley Films made for the sanctuary.
The intrepid Darren (Vern to his mates) is having fun making a series of about our goats and activities at the sanctuary. These can be viewed on YouTube by clicking on the picture. Check back regularly for more postings
Bob Hitch (left) accepting the award from Mike Tomlinson of the RSPCA
Buttercups Patron - the Rt. Hon. Ann Widdecombe with Diesel the rescued goat, pictured at the Buttercups race day at Folkestone in April 2011.