MSPCA announces more than 100 animals urgently need homes following law enforcement investigation on area property

BOSTON and Methuen, Mass., Aug. 11, 2022 – The MSPCA at Nevins Farm today announced that more than 100 goats urgently need special homes following a law enforcement investigation and seizure in January from a Dighton property.

The goats were seized along with an adult mustang and emu. The mustang was later transferred to a nonprofit animal welfare organization in Maine, and the emu is now available for adoption.

The animals’ previous owner—whose identity has not been released—is the subject of an ongoing law enforcement case.

The previous owner failed to pay a bond, as ordered by a judge, in accordance with a state law, updated in 2016 that allows entities such as the MSPCA and municipalities that are holding animals to cover the cost of caring for animals seized as part of cruelty prosecutions.

“The sheer number of animals [in this case] and significance of their medical needs have stretched all of our space and staff resources to the max, but those challenges are worth it knowing that we are able to find them new loving homes,” said Mike Keiley, director of adoption centers and programs at the MSPCA-Angell.

29 baby goats, known as “kids,” have been born at Nevins Farm over the course of the last six months, because 12 does were pregnant at the time of the seizure.

“The babies are adorable. We’ve loved taking care of them—and more than anything we’re grateful for the support from our community that enabled us to rescue them from such dangerous living conditions,” said Rachel Diersen, assistant manager, equine and farm animals at the MSPCA at Nevins Farm.

Before they arrived at Nevins Farm, two goats tested positive for Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis and two goats tested positive for Johne’s Disease, both of which are relatively common illnesses in domestic goats.

“Because the entire herd lived together, we have to presume that everyone has been exposed to both CAE and Johne’s Disease. They’ve been in our care for more than six months and we’ve tested repeatedly, which has not confirmed any additional disease spread, but out of an abundance of caution, we intend to place the animals in homes in which they are the only ruminants on the property or can be housed separate from other ruminants per state regulations. Moreover, the goats must be adopted to homes in Massachusetts,” added Keiley.

The Nevins Farm team encourages anyone willing to adopt to visit mspca.org/goats.

The emu has proven himself to be an entertaining character on the farm and must be placed in a home with other companion animals.

“One of the cutest things about Jerry is that he’s already lived with some goat friends, and he seems to really love them,” added Diersen.

Anyone interested in adopting Jerry should apply at mspca.org/nevinsadopt.