Halbert was raised in a small “farm-to-table” operation, but, as on factory farms, animals were treated like mere products and denied the most basic care on this small property.

There, Halbert never felt sunshine on his face or grass beneath his hooves. Instead, he was confined to an indoor existence—a far cry from a natural life for curious, social, and playful goats, who roam and graze. 

Thankfully, a lengthy cruelty case, during which Farm Sanctuary provided shelter and care to 177 of the animals rescued, resulted in the survivors being able to live their lives in safety.

Halbert has since found joy and love, and he fills his days with both. 

He loves to spend time with his friends—human and goat alike—and people he’s just met, too, as he greets visitors on tours of our beautiful New York sanctuary he calls home. 

Chances are, when you see a happy Halbert, you’ll see someone happy to see him, too. 

Halbert snuggling Nemo and Olive

“Halbert is a sweetie! He’s missing his BFF Earl goat, who is recovering from surgery, but he’s decided to love on his caregivers even more, which we don’t mind at all!” says Emily, one of his caregiver friends. “My favorite thing is when he comes galloping in from the pasture to get his fig cookie.”

“Halbert has been soooooo loving recently,” says caregiver Tori. “He loves rubbing his head on yours and his bum being scratched. If you get just the right spot, he will even wag his tail!”

Halbert recently experienced mild anemia, and our caregivers monitored his progress and provided deworming treatments as he recovered. “We’re so happy he’s healthy again,” says Emily, who notes that Halbert is still getting supplemental feed to keep him doing well. 

From individualized diets and medications to veterinary visits and more, our dedicated team provides lifelong care to hundreds of rescued residents. It’s all part of keeping the promise of sanctuary for farm animals who, like Halbert, were once denied even their most basic life-sustaining needs.

Thanks to the generosity of our kindhearted supporters, Halbert is happy, healthy, and surrounded by those he loves.

If you enjoyed Halbert’s story, see more from this absolutely lovable goat in the video below. After losing his closest companion, Darius goat, Halbert found comfort in his caregivers and new friends among the herd—forging bonds made possible by a life of sanctuary.