Animal Welfare Statement

How do you care for the goats?

Long story short– extensively. Authorized personnel are on the island every day, checking the fence line, monitoring each goat, and feeding their guard dog. 

The longer explanation– either a member of our staff, the goat shepherd, or our trained goat volunteers is on the island every day in addition to having security cameras at several points on the island. We are alerted every time there is movement in front of the cameras and that includes within the goat pen. Our folks are trained to look for specific injuries and illnesses in each animal. Every animal is up-to-date on all their vaccines and medications and is seen by a veterinarian regularly. At any point, if one of the animals appears to be malnourished, pregnant, ill, or injured, it is addressed immediately. If necessary, the animal is removed from the island and taken home to be monitored closely by its owner.

Here is the checklist our goat staff and volunteers follow every time:

• Make sure the signs and security cameras are still standing and operational
• Make sure the water trough is at least half full, and if it is not, refill it.
• Feed the guard dog his dry food and the goats their feed
• Walk the entirety of the electric fence line to make sure it is working and that there are no limbs on the fence.
• Do a head count of animals. There are 5 goats and one dog.
• While doing a head count, visually examine each animal for limping, sores, wounds, or lethargy.​
  

Frequently asked questions and comments

🐕The dog is too skinny/hot/cold
Beo is a Great Pyrenees. This dog breed is known for shedding its coat in the summer similar to the way that a husky does. This coat will grow back in time to keep him nice and toasty in the winter. This process means that he will look thinner in summer due to less fur and thicker in the winter. If you notice that he looks thin in the summer, it is not due to malnutrition or being under-fed.

🐕The dog isn’t fed enough
Beo is fed the same amount of food every day by either a staff member or a volunteer. His diet doesn’t change whether he is on the island or on the mainland and he is fed once a day either way.

🐐It’s too hot for the animals to be on the island
Both the dog and the goats have continuous access to water and shelter. This allows them to escape the heat in the same way that humans would. If an animal is ever showing signs of distress due to the heat, we would immediately remove the animal from the island.

🐐These animals look neglected
We can assure you that the animals are thoroughly cared for, loved, fed, watered, sheltered, and medically attended to. Our number one priority is to make sure that all of the animals on the island are protected, safe, and well cared for.

Why are the goats on the island?

Maclellan Island is overgrown with plants and the most effective way to manage the overgrowth is with goats. There are several reasons why goats make the most sense for the land management and conservation of Maclellan.

• Goats are known to be effective grazers and can help control invasive plant species.
• Using goats for land management can reduce the need for chemical herbicides, which have negative impacts on the environment.
• Goats can naturally clear brush and vegetation without causing soil erosion or disturbance to the landscape.
• By managing vegetation, goats can create a more diverse habitat for other wildlife species. This can contribute to the overall health and resilience of the island's ecosystem by supporting a greater variety of plant and animal life.
• Introducing goats to Maclellan Island can also provide educational opportunities for the local community and visitors. It can be a way to engage people in learning about sustainable land management practices and the importance of biodiversity conservation.