Goats and sheep are intelligent, emotional and playful beings. Both species form extremely close-knit groups, often referred to as “tribes”, where they come together to problem solve, play, and socialize. They also create inter-species relationships and our own goat and sheep residents can often be found snuggling next to each other. Naturally, goats and sheep enjoy grazing in open fields, playing, exploring and sun bathing.

Goats are especially curious and explorative, due to their high level of intelligence. They are frequently mischievous; they try to break into food containers, attempt to escape fences or playfully head-butt the boots of their human caretakers. Mother goats are gentle and nurturing and will often foster other orphaned goats or even lambs.

While sheep are more cautious than goats, they are still extremely playful and intelligent. Tribes of sheep prefer to stay together in close-knit groups as they graze. They are very collaborative, protective and caring of one another. Mothers are especially protective of their young, and will provide care and nurturing to other lambs within the tribe as well.

Given the chance, goats can live between 10 to 18 years and sheep can live between 10 to 12 years, and sometimes much longer. Both goats and sheep can recognize human faces and have excellent memories. Once they get to know you, they will often seek you out for affection, play or just to lay beside you – as our own residents do.

Worldwide, goats and sheep are raised as commodities in the animal agricultural industry. Goats are raised for milk and meat and sheep are raised for milk, meat and wool. According to information gathered by the United Nations, more than 450 million goats and over 550 million sheep were killed for meat globally in 2016.

Goats and Sheep Raised for Meat and Dairy

Goats and sheep that are raised for milk are subjected to a degrading cycle of forced impregnation, removal of the kid or lamb within the first 24 hours of birth, followed by milking the mother in order to sell the milk for human consumption. Both goats and sheep are able to give birth 2-3 times a year. This process takes a significant toll on the health of mothers, and after only a few years they begin to experience reproductive issues and decreased milk production. At this point, they are considered useless and are sent to slaughter.

Goats and sheep that are raised for meat are usually sent to slaughter when they are just months old, they are still just kids and lambs. Goats that are raised for meat are often disbudded, a process that inhibits the growth of horns by applying a caustic chemical or using a hot iron on the area where the horns will grow, or they are dehorned. These practices are intended to “protect” the other goats that are usually kept in overcrowded areas as they are fattened.

Sheep Raised for Wool

Sheep that are raised for their wool in the industry usually have their tails “docked” at just a few weeks old reduce feces buildup. This is a painful procedure, and can lead to increased health risks for the sheep in the future. Handlers that shear sheep are paid per sheep, not per hour. This causes shearers to speed through the process of shearing, increasing the risk of cutting and injuring sheep in the process. Many sheep come away from the shearing process with lacerations or broken bones, which often lead to death.

As the sheep ages, wool production decreases and the “quality” of the wool decreases. When this occurs, they are no longer profitable, and these sheep are often sent for slaughter. Some lambs are also slaughtered at an early age to produce a commodity called “shearling” – the skin of a lamb that is still connected to the fleece which is used for jackets and clothing.

Protecting Lives

Choosing to eschew the milk, meat and wool industries will help protect individual goats and sheep, like our rescues Steve and Rose. There are other sustainable alternatives, and as the demand increases it will challenge industries to be more creative. Shifting practices will allow more goats and sheep to enjoy their lives naturally, forming tribes and families, grazing and frolicking amongst themselves.

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