We, the undersigned, represent a concerned group of citizens, including residents from across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties where Ventura Brush Goats, aka 805 Goats does business. We are writing to express concern on the way the goats used by your company are housed and treated. We have witnessed first-hand or have received reports that goats in your operation are left without adequate shelter from extreme weather, including debilitating dangerous heat, heavy rain and strong winds. 

California’s central and southern coasts can no longer be relied upon to have a temperate climate year-round. We have witnessed extreme weather from triple-digit dangerous heat in the summer and fall to drenching rains with flooding, wind, mudslides and even snow in the winter.

Unlike cows and sheep, goats have an intense fear and hatred of rain, mud and puddles. While goats can tolerate cold weather very well, they must be kept dry and need protection from rain and wind. Wet conditions cause the animals so much stress that they have been known to communicate a sense of danger at the start of any rain. Additionally wet weather increases the risk of sickness in goats as well as increases the contraction of parasitic infections. Newborn baby goats are particularly susceptible to the ill effects of extreme weather – with the risk of scours, pneumonia, respiratory infections and hypothermia increasing when these young babies are left in cold, wet conditions. 

Providing portable and adequate shelter, large enough for all of the animals in your care to take refuge in during extreme weather should be an easy change for your company to make and should not impose a great burden on your business. Shelter for these animals need not be expensive. Part of the job site set up can be to provide several three-sided structures, large enough for the animals to utilize during extreme heat, rain and wind. 

These animals are providing a service and your organization has touted that the use of these animals is an eco-friendly way to help California lessen the threat of brush fires. While we appreciate the service your company is striving to provide – we would also expect that you would understand the species you are working with and that you would be compassionate and not want to put them through undo stress, risk of sickness or extreme discomfort. With a small investment, you can help to allow these animals to provide the services they are providing free from stress and at less risk of contracting disease from the cold and heat. Properly caring for the goats in your charge will not only benefit the animals but will no doubt increase your profits as you will see less stress, disease and death in the herd.