Would you like to foster two or more goats?
Buttercups currently fosters out more than 100 goats to foster keepers who have suitable facilities. We are immensely grateful to these fosterers who enable us to rescue almost twice as many goats than would otherwise be possible.
Fostering is a very rewarding experience, goats being intelligent animals of great character. However, it should only be contemplated after serious consideration as they need daily care and attention the year around. There are also costs in regard to food, fencing, stabling and veterinary care (see below). Fostered goats should be treated as domestic pets and we will not normally foster to institutions.
Fostered goats remain the property of Buttercups and may be recalled by us if necessary. Our Foster Support Team members will visit you and the goats at least once a year, more frequently in the first year. We are available for advice and visits at other times should you so request. If veterinary care becomes necessary you should first contact Buttercups. It is appreciated if you can bear the costs of routine treatments but Buttercups will contribute where necessary.
Some key points are:
- We only foster two goats or more to one address as they are social animals and it is cruel to keep one by itself.
- There should be secure fencing to keep the goats in and others out.
- Removal of poisonous vegetation.
- Suitable stabling.
- The goat paddock itself must provide adequate shade and shelter against the sun and wind; also a day pen if the main stables are outside the paddock.
- The goats should be put away securely at night and released in the morning, the times of which will vary during the year.
- It is important that the goats are regularly handled to prevent their becoming semi-feral. Stabling them at night, feeding them and grooming them will help achieve this and make it easier for you and the Buttercups Team to inspect and treat them when necessary.
- Feed with good quality hay and goat mix in addition to suitable grazing. They are not effective "lawnmower substitutes"!
- Goats need to have their hooves trimmed and to be wormed regularly. We ask that you attend one of our goat husbandry courses where advice and hands on experience will be provided.
- Fostered goats are not to be used for breeding or dairy purposes.
If you want to make further enquiries, please leave your contact details, including your full postal address, with our Foster Support Team via email or leave a message. We will then send you our detailed goat care leaflet and an application form, and subsequently arrange to visit your property for further discussion.
