Proud mama Sadie gave birth to her boys on January 12th at 5:38 a.m. and 5:53 a.m. Exactly one week later, on January 19th, her companion Autumn welcomed her handsome boys around 11:45 a.m.

“[Sadie is] a great mom who started cleaning them off right away,” said Daniel Singleton, Watkins Glen Animal Care Manager. “The barn they are in is heated, but even with that, given how frigidly cold it was overnight, the babies needed some extra help staying warm. We bundled them up in warm blankets and really boosted the temp of their barn to keep them nice and toasty. Both started to nurse to get colostrum from Sadie. Now they are spending their time bonding with their mom and getting used to the brave new world they have joined.”

Of Autumn and her boys, Daniel added, “These two were ready to tackle life head-on and were very quick to get up, start getting their footing, bonding with mom, and nursing. After getting cleaned off and nursing for the first time, both boys and mom are taking a well-deserved nap. It’s been a big day for all of them! Autumn was a great mom and seems like maybe she’s done this before which wouldn’t be surprising.”

We’re absolutely smitten with these little ones and adore watching Sadie and Autumn take care of their kids—they’re likely the first babies they’ve ever gotten to keep. Without rescue, the goats might not have even survived through the winter.

Last October, we rescued Sadie, Autumn, two other goats named Pete and Clarice, and three sheep (named Curt, Chaos, and George) from a neglect situation in New York’s Mid-Hudson region. More than three dozen sheep and goats were left without food, proper shelter, and care on a rented property that their owner seldom checked. Those who died were left out in a field to rot.

For months, neighbors reached out about the animals’ welfare. When the owner didn’t take responsibility, they asked if he’d release them to someone who would. Still, he refused: He’d purchased the oldest animals for his young son and wasn’t willing to part ways. But as time went by, the sheep and goats began to multiply, leaving more to compete for scarce food and care.

The neighbors’ hearts ached for these neglected animals and they refused to let them suffer. Led by our contact, Julieanne, they fed the sheep and goats, improved their shelter, arranged veterinary care, and looked after the newborn babies. Then, when the owner finally agreed to rehome everyone, Julieanne’s team arranged placement, too.

Farm Sanctuary was able to place four goats with a member of our Farm Animal Adoption Network. We also took in seven animals, with plans to place them once a home became available.

The newcomers were shy at first but started letting their guard down when we offered attention and treats. As they began to settle in, we conducted health checks to determine the types of supportive care they’d need. That was when our vets confirmed that both Sadie and Autumn were expecting! The vets said they’d likely give birth in winter.

Since traveling can be stressful for animals—on top of the additional strain of pregnancy—we agreed to house Sadie and Autumn goats at Farm Sanctuary until after they gave birth. The boys—Pete, Curt, Chaos, and George—were all neutered before they went to their new home with the other female goat, Clarice. Once the new babies are strong enough, they’ll go with their doting moms to join their new homes.

It’s a rare but powerful experience to see babies born at Sanctuary. Going forward, they’ll always know love and kindness and never the darkness that their parents endured. And we don’t breed at Farm Sanctuary, so we only see little ones when we rescue them or rescue pregnant mothers. New life brings new chances for compassion—a fresh start.

It’s happy moments like these that keep us going when the going gets tough. Sanctuary work is often heartbreaking—it’s common to see terrible cases of abuse and neglect like the situation these brave mama goats survived. We ache for those who don’t make it out alive and for those we lose far too soon.

But today, we have a happy ending––and a hopeful beginning. Instead of fighting for their lives in the cold, these bright, bouncy youngsters have a warm, safe barn and moms and friends who love them. Their lives bring light to these cold, dark winter days, and we’re excited to celebrate all that lies ahead.