Rescue & Adoptions

In Loving Memory

Zoop: A Profile in Courage

The domesticated goats humans have bred over millennia for milk and meat were originally natives of mountain country, so it’s no wonder that they love climbing to great heights. These natural athletes are built to conquer rough terrain with their powerful legs, but our beloved Zoop couldn’t scale the New York Shelter’s playground peaks as well as her herdmates, because the severe neglect she suffered on a farm as a very young kid robbed her of a limb. Yet physical disability didn’t stop her from reaching the most exalted pinnacles of inspiration, because Zoop’s indomitable spirit of determination made the sky her only limit at Farm Sanctuary.

When an animal control officer found Zoop one winter morning at a Denville, New Jersey farm in 2002, the tiny goat weighed just six pounds and had a tendon condition that forced her to walk on her knees. The compassionate officer swiftly whisked Zoop away from this desperate scene to the nearest animal hospital, where she received a brace for one of her damaged legs and underwent surgery to repair the other. The brave little goat lived at the clinic for six months before we welcomed her with open arms to our New York Shelter, which would be her happy home for life. 

Our other resident goats — perhaps sensing beneath Zoop’s delicate exterior a powerful inner resolve — accepted her right away, and she soon found a best friend in Juniper, another goat with leg issues. Though she was exceptionally happy in her new life, Zoop experienced more than her fair share of health problems — from a leg amputation to a full mastectomy necessitated by severe and untreatable mastitis. Farm Sanctuary National Shelter Director Susie Coston nurtured our sweet girl through the most difficult times and celebrated her triumphs, with every trial and uncertainty only deepening their emotional bond, and strengthening Zoop’s resolve to survive.

“When Zoop first arrived, we tried everything we could to save her leg, even wrapping both limbs daily so they wouldn’t buckle when she stood up,” Susie recalled. Nevertheless, one of her legs required surgery and unfortunately the surgery was not successful. Leading veterinarians at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals felt that after the surgery the only humane option was to amputate the limb just below the knee. We were devastated by this unexpected outcome but, determined to give her the best quality of life possible, had her fitted with a prosthetic limb. “She always had such a strong zest for life that we were worried she would lose hope after her surgery, but she didn’t miss a single beat,” said Susie. “She always remained playful and became well known for standing on her back legs and butting anyone willing to take her on.”

So, despite the obstacles in her way, Zoop proved by leaps and bounds that you can’t keep a good goat down. Spending her days scampering around with Juniper, Zoop’s unbridled enthusiasm sparked the best impulses in the hearts of all who met her and fell head over heels with this incredible goat. Among these was legendary Indy rock musician John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats, who performed two sold-out benefit concerts at Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter in Zoop’s honor.

Zoop’s passing was all too shocking for everyone whose life was touched by this spirited girl. In late summer, though healing from a mild infection, Zoop was as happy and active as ever until she suddenly collapsed one day. We rushed her to Cornell’s hospital, where diagnostics revealed that she had contracted an acute-onset form of pneumonia and also that she had kidney disease. Though every effort was made to treat Zoop, her underlying condition left her immune system too compromised to fight off the pneumonia. 

Zoop passed peacefully away at the hospital with her head cradled on the lap of a faithful caregiver. Her unexpected departure reminded us all of life’s essential fragility — which is in part what makes each person and animal precious. This is how Zoop will be remembered, and her courageous vitality in the face of adversity will always inspire our efforts to ensure that all farm animals like her will someday be valued for who they are as individuals rather than mere commodities.