The Farm Animal Sanctuary rescues 19 goats from Surrey

Nineteen goats were rescued in total by The Farm Animal Sanctuary in Middle Littleton. 

The goats were rescued from a field in Surrey after an over 200-mile round trip. 

Nick Packwood, a member of the animal welfare team, feeding the rescued goats (Image: The Animal Farm Sanctuary)

Louise Stuart, manager at The Farm Animal Sanctuary said: "When we saw the goats it was clear they needed our help to get out of there.

"They were skin and bones, they had no access to fresh water, all they had was stagnant water because there had been a lot of rain.

"The field was also completely bare, it was mud not grass, it was a really run-down patch of land.

"Whilst we were there the owners did turn up and they were willing to let them go. 

"They said they were paying someone else to look after them but it was clear that the needed to see a vet."

The rescued goats (Image: The Animal Farm Sanctuary)

The majority of the goats were mums with their kids, however the remains of eight other goas were found the field.

Mrs Stuart said: "There were a lot of rotten carcasses, it doesn't take a couple of days to for them to be like that, it takes weeks and months. 

"It is clear that one poor goat died whilst stuck in the wire fence, imagine that long, slow and probably painful death. 

"The goats were infested with lice, had a high worm level and when we conducted blood tests we found that they had been exposed to toxins."

Rotting goat carcass (Image: The Animal Farm Sanctuary)

Since arriving at the sanctuary on May 18, the goats have started to recover and will stay at the site for the rest of their lives. 

Mrs Stuart said: "We wouldn't ever not go to something like this.

"Our hearts rule our brains and we couldn't let them suffer the same fate as their friends. 

"We didn't get back till midnight, they were starving . 

"The goats are all looking much better now. 

"They are going to stay here for life and they already look a lot happier and healthier. 

"It's amazing how much they can change in a month, they are really nice and friendly.

"I don't understand how someone could treat them so badly."

The sanctuary will be hosting its annual Freedom Fields Festival on July 6 and 7 to raise money to purchase the land it resides on.