Two Goats Found Wandering Along Hutchinson River Parkway in New York City Find Refuge at Farm Sanctuary

Watkins Glen, NY (RPRN) 7/31/2009--Today, July 30, Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, will welcome two young goats to its farm animal shelter in Watkins Glen, NY. The goats, a male and female, who appear to be just months old, were first seen on Tuesday wandering along the side of the road near the junction of I-95 South and the Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx. The goats are currently being sheltered at the Manhattan branch of Animal Care & Control of New York City’s (AC&C) shelter in Manhattan, awaiting transport to Farm Sanctuary this evening.

“We are thrilled to welcome these tough survivors to our shelter,” said Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary’s National Shelter Director. “This handsome pair have stuck by each other’s side through thick and thin, even braving New York City traffic together in their valiant quest for life. The loyalty that these two kids have shown one another is evidence of the deep bonds that can form between these sensitive and social animals.  They will now be able to live out the rest of their lives together in a peaceful country setting, free from the horrors that animals like them endure every day.”

“We feel good knowing that this friendly couple will receive lifelong care and refuge away from the hustle and bustle of New York City,” said Charlene Pedrolie, Executive Director of AC&C. “City streets are no place for goats, yet due to the various slaughterhouses and live markets located throughout the city, we rescued six goats last year, and three more so far this year. We are so grateful to Farm Sanctuary and all of our rescue partners for helping us provide these animals with the second chance they so richly deserve.”

According to the AC&C, officers were sent out to pick up the goats on the Hutchinson River Parkway on Tuesday, but the pair were nowhere to be found. Yesterday morning, however, the animals resurfaced along the same highway and, this time, the AC&C officers were able to pick them up, with the help of police officers from the New York Police Department’s emergency services unit. Last year, a 25-pound pygmy goat named Goodwin, one of Farm Sanctuary’s beloved residents, was discovered by New York City police near 141st Street and St. Ann’s Avenue in the Bronx— just a few blocks from where another Farm Sanctuary resident, Lucky Lady—a seven-month-old lamb who escaped slaughter and made international headlines—was found in June 2007. Both runaways are two of more than 200 farm animals rescued from the New York City area and brought to Farm Sanctuary over the last several years. Other famous New York City escapees who now live at Farm Sanctuary include Maxine, a cow found running through the streets of Queens in 2007; Joey, a goat found wandering through Brooklyn in 2007; and Queenie, a cow who escaped a slaughterhouse in Queens in 2000.

If you would like to receive images of the goats or speak with Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary’s National Shelter Director, please contact Meredith Turner at mturner@farmsanctuary.org or 646-369-6212.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.

About Animal Care & Control of New York City
Animal Care & Control of New York City (AC&C) is the largest pet organization in the North East, with over 43,000 animals rescued each year. As a not-for-profit organization since 1995, Animal Care & Control is responsible for New York City's municipal shelter system, rescuing, caring for, and finding loving homes for homeless, abused, injured and abandoned animals in New York City. AC&C facilities operate in all five boroughs.  For more information, please visit www.nycacc.org or call 212-788-4000.