In the month of November, our Sanctuary welcomed Dorcas, a sweet and gentle Boer goat. Little did we know, she brought along a sweet surprise – she was expecting! 

Teat Trouble

However, an abrasion on one of her teats meant she might not be able to nurse her kids herself, prompting us to step in.

Concerns and the Call For Help

Worried about her babies' potential need for extra care, including frequent bottle feeding, Dorcas' concerned owner reached out to our team. Recognizing the opportunity to make a difference, we eagerly took up the challenge, ready to ensure a safe delivery and a smooth transition for Dorcas and her little ones.

Dorcas' Baby Shower

While we were waiting to welcome the babies, we took the opportunity to throw Dorcas a surprise baby shower – complete with celebration banners, streamers and more!

Baby Watch

On Christmas eve, we kept a close eye on Dorcas as she showed early signs of labor – bag filling with milk, stomach dropping, tail up, pawing at the ground. 

Then it was time to get down to business! A new stall was set up for her overnight, and we organized birthing kits with bottles, milk supplements, and more. Extra hay was brought in, and regular checks were made to ensure her comfort and readiness for active labor whenever it started.

Celebrating Three New Additions

On Christmas eve, we kept a close eye on Dorcas as she showed early signs of labor – bag filling with milk, stomach dropping, tail up, pawing at the ground.

With guidance from our veterinarian, we carefully maneuvered Dorcas and successfully delivered the first baby – a brown and white striped boy who we named Benjamin Bunny! After cleaning his face, we let Dorcas take over, and she lovingly tended to the rest of his tiny body.

Just 20 minutes later, another baby arrived – this time, a fully brown boy who we named Peter Rabbit (because they look just like baby bunnies!). Again, we followed the same routine, making sure his face was cleaned before letting Dorcas care for the rest.

Despite our initial expectations of needing to bottle feed them, both babies have quickly adapted to nursing – hurray!  Dorcas is proving to be an exceptional momma, diligently keeping her precious little ones fed and warm!