The Goatlandia Story, by Deborah Blum

If you love animals, believe in the power of human kindness, and care about the environment, then Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary is your magical place.

Just a few miles north of San Francisco in Sebastopol California, Goatlandia's 36-acre refuge provides a loving home for at-risk farm animals (along with the occasional dog or cat), and we show people how easy it is to lead an environmentally friendly and compassionate lifestyle every day.

Our dedicated team of staff members and volunteers has provided sanctuary for hundreds of animals since 2016. The name “Goatlandia” originated because of the large number of male baby goats we save from euthanasia each year, giving them a chance to grow up to serve their community by clearing brush as they graze Northern California’s landscapes.

We also take in abused, abandoned, stray and special-needs animals who have nowhere else to go—animals like Nemo, the three-legged dog, who is living out "his best life" on Goatlandia’s lush pastoral land.

Our Mission Is to Invite, Empower, and Inspire

We believe in a world where compassion leads the way for animals, people, and the planet. We rescue animals in need, explore the impact of our choices, and empower people to live more sustainably through connection, community, and delicious plant-based food.

Many people don’t realize that goats, like cows, are raised for dairy and meat production. In the dairy industry, male goats are considered useless because they can’t produce milk, and without intervention, the vast majority are killed shortly after birth.

Our dedicated team of staff members and volunteers has provided sanctuary for hundreds of animals since 2016. At Goatlandia, we believe all animals deserve happy, cruelty-free lives. We are all part of the same ecosystem, and our world is a better place when we treat each other with kindness and respect.

The Core Pillars We Live By

Through knowledge, inspiration, and plant-based advocacy, we transform lives. Our work is rooted in four core pillars and together, we’re building a future where animals are respected, people are healthier, and compassion leads the way:

• We Rescue (primarily) farm animals in need and provide a safe, loving home through sanctuary or adoption.

• We Empower people with information about the extensive environmental impact of animal agriculture.

• We Share the benefits of plant-based eating and living a compassionate eco-friendly lifestyle.

• We Inspire love and compassion for all animals by providing opportunities for people to meet and interact with our rescued animals.

Here are a few statistics to stop you in your tracks:

• It takes 1800 gallons of water to make a pound of beef.

• Cattle farming alone causes 41 percent of the world's tropical deforestation.

• A single cow will belch about 220 pounds of methane every year, making cattle the No. 1 agricultural source of greenhouse gases worldwide.

This means the most powerful tool we have to fight climate change is our fork. A plant-based diet is far better both for the individual and for the planet. And we’ll show you just how good that change can taste!

Meet Some of Our Very Special Residents

Each of our rescues makes a difference, and each of our animals has a touching story to tell. Goats, alpacas, horses, pigs, peacocks, ducks, donkeys … we’ve helped them all over the years.

There’s Margo, who was bitten by a dog and couldn’t walk but now is the picture of health. There’s Ruthie B Goat, (yes, named after the infamous RBG) who broke her leg so badly she needed complex surgery at UC Davis to insert 10 screws and 2 plates, saving her leg. And there’s Minnie and Delilah (rejected by her mom at birth), who met each other at Goatlandia and have become inseparable ever since.

New Programs

We have recently expanded our Animal Assisted Healing program, giving adults and children a chance to spend healing time with the animals, eat a nourishing organic meal, take part in relaxing breathing exercises, and learn the art of meditation to heal bodies, hearts, and minds. 

As a certified organic farm, we are expanding our crops this spring to grow food for our community, our animals, and our team. We’ll also be teaching others how to grow and cook their own delicious and healthy food!

How You Can Help

Our work is challenging. I reflect on this every morning when my alarm goes off before dawn and I know there are 170+ animals counting on me. But it’s also a delight, thanks to the sweet souls in our care.

By rescuing and advocating for farm animals and the planet, each having a unique story of resilience and second chances, we are creating a space where people can learn, connect, and be part of a more compassionate future, one that we can all be proud of.

But we can only do what we do with volunteers and donors. If you would like to volunteer, or make a donation to support our efforts, please visit our website and use these links to reach out to us. We appreciate each and every one of you and would love to welcome you to our team!