Our Story
The Sanctuary at Soledad Goats was founded by Carol and Julian Pearce, award winning goat cheese makers who, in 2015, decided to give it all up and go vegan. It wasn’t a decision that was made overnight. Since the day they met while saving sick calves, to their life in England where Carol was known to kidnap another farmer’s animals to save them from slaughter, to their own Southern California goat farm with a strict no kill policy, it has always been about the animals. They’ve been rescuing abused, abandoned and neglected goats, cows, horses, pigs, chickens, ducks and dogs for years, saving many from being euthanized. Now those rescued animals live side by side with former dairy goats as they all live out their happy lives. The Sanctuary at Soledad Goats is a 501(c)(3) non-profit rescue organization funded by donations from supporters like you. In addition, proceeds from the sale of the new vegan cheese go to The Sanctuary.
At The Sanctuary, animals are known by name... and treated like family. Carol’s background in veterinary medicine and Julian’s expertise in ruminant nutrition, not to mention their many years as goat farmers, means they are closely attuned to the health of the animals, and they keep a sharp eye on the well-being of all of them. They have successfully brought back to health many animals who were near death or in other desperate straits (see “The Story of Hope,” below). We enjoy sharing our love of animals with our customers and supporters, especially children. Simply contact us to schedule a visit - we look forward to showing you around the sanctuary! The Sanctuary at Soledad Goats believes that we have a moral imperative to honor and respect the animals who have spent years in service to us on farms, as well as those who simply need a new home and a little kindness to survive. |
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The Story of Hope
In the summer of 2012, a neighbor of Carol and Julian's dropped off a nanny goat which had suffered serious complications in the process of giving birth. The owners had unfortunately tried to birth the kid themselves, though they had no idea how to do so. In the process of trying to pull the baby out, they tore the mother's uterus, which is fatal, and sadly, the mother died, leaving behind a tiny goat, less than one day old. Carol and Julian immediately went to work to save the baby, which had not had a drop of mother's milk or colostrum - the special substance which strengthens a baby's immunity and digestion - in her first 23 hours of life. Immediately, they began feeding the baby by a dropper with goat milk from their farm. The baby goat was presenting with a strange tilting of the head to find the dropper, which led Carol and Julian to understand she had been blinded by the amniotic fluid, which permanently damaged her corneas when the mother's uterus ruptured. Furthermore, her lungs were flooded and she was having trouble breathing, and she had developed "joint ill," which is akin to infantile arthritis. Many people would have simply put this goat down, as there were so many grave problems happening concurrently, and the baby was barely hanging onto life.
Carol and Julian went to work administering critical care. They fed the baby a few drops of colostrum and milk every hour, while administering medicine to clear the lungs, and giving intravenous antibiotics for the joint ill. They went along in this way, working with her many hours a day, and very slowly the baby showed more and more signs of life. After two weeks of intensive care, it was clear the goat was going to survive.
At this point Carol and Julian realized they had to address the blindness. The little goat had become more mobile, but frequently became terrified when she bumped into things. Carol and Julian began gently training her to stop and move around objects when she walked. They also taught her verbal commands like "step down," "step up," "go left" and "go right," in much the same way you might teach commands to a dog. In this way the little goat, though completely blind, learned to navigate through her surroundings. Gradually their patience paid off, and the goat became more mobile and confident. .
Carol and Julian named this very special goat "Hope," because they so fervently hoped she would survive. Though she was on the verge of death several times, she had such a strong will she pulled through. Hope is now a regular fixture at the Hollywood Farmers Market, and she is not shy about showing off her spunky personality. In fact, many people visit Soledad Goats' cheese booth just to give Hope a cuddle as they are going about their shopping! Hope is living proof that when you combine an expert knowledge of animal physiology and proper medicine with plenty of love, an animal can survive almost anything.
Carol and Julian went to work administering critical care. They fed the baby a few drops of colostrum and milk every hour, while administering medicine to clear the lungs, and giving intravenous antibiotics for the joint ill. They went along in this way, working with her many hours a day, and very slowly the baby showed more and more signs of life. After two weeks of intensive care, it was clear the goat was going to survive.
At this point Carol and Julian realized they had to address the blindness. The little goat had become more mobile, but frequently became terrified when she bumped into things. Carol and Julian began gently training her to stop and move around objects when she walked. They also taught her verbal commands like "step down," "step up," "go left" and "go right," in much the same way you might teach commands to a dog. In this way the little goat, though completely blind, learned to navigate through her surroundings. Gradually their patience paid off, and the goat became more mobile and confident. .
Carol and Julian named this very special goat "Hope," because they so fervently hoped she would survive. Though she was on the verge of death several times, she had such a strong will she pulled through. Hope is now a regular fixture at the Hollywood Farmers Market, and she is not shy about showing off her spunky personality. In fact, many people visit Soledad Goats' cheese booth just to give Hope a cuddle as they are going about their shopping! Hope is living proof that when you combine an expert knowledge of animal physiology and proper medicine with plenty of love, an animal can survive almost anything.