Aretha is a little goat with a big personality, lovingly known among her caregivers as our “resident garden gnome.” Once neglected at a cruel backyard butcher operation, she’s now living her best life at sanctuary, complete with her family and tasty snacks.
Did you know that Farm Sanctuary’s dedicated caregivers often give needed medications to our rescued residents in foods that they enjoy? Aretha no longer needs any medication, but we still give her special snacks because she’s so very cute and to help keep her socially engaged.
To Aretha, Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar Minis are the best treat! Visit our wishlist to get her some of her favorites!
In 2015, Farm Sanctuary was called to a heartbreaking scene in New York’s Hudson Valley. Over 170 animals were suffering in filthy conditions, surrounded by the bodies of those who had died. Many were emaciated, suffering from infections or parasites, and barely subsisting on food scraps.
Now, Aretha is living the life she’s always deserved, and she knows exactly what she wants. She’s picky about food when not snacking, and only likes her dry grain (although she did enjoy a banana the other day). We love her adorable quirks, like when she eats from under her hay feeder or crawls on the ground to scratch her belly.
And most importantly, Aretha gets to know what too few farm animals can ever experience: life with family. Twins Min and Lulu were born safely at Farm Sanctuary shortly after Aretha’s rescue.
To this day, the trio is inseparable, and gentle and caring Aretha is “everything that we all aspire to be,” says Veterinary Assistant Emily. “She is a loving mom (even when her twin girls are naughty) and will keep a fierce and protective eye on any caregiver who goes near them.”
Min and Lulu, now bigger than mom (right)
The suffering inflicted by animal agriculture can leave lasting emotional scars, and Aretha is still wary of humans, but she’s shown us that her resilient spirit is indomitable. Emily says that Aretha has become so brave in the past year, cautiously approaching caregivers—and she’ll even stick around for a while if we have a Fig Bar for her!
“13/10 extremely cute,” says Emily. “I would spend my life savings to buy Fig Bars for her.”
There’s no need to do that, Emily, because Farm Sanctuary’s dedicated supporters help provide daily care, shelter, enrichment—and yes, some treats—to our hundreds of rescued residents.
You can help today with an extra sweet gift! Stop by the wishlist for our New York shelter and send some Fig Bar Minis.
These snacks will make Aretha’s day and help us give medications that help our residents live happy, healthy, and comfortable lives at sanctuary.
