http://www.farmsanctuary.org/media/pr_joey.htm

BROOKLYN GOAT ESCAPES SLAUGHTERHOUSE AND FINDS REFUGE AT FARM SANCTUARY

Watkins Glen, NY - January 9, 2007 - On Saturday, January 6, Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, welcomed Joey the goat to its New York Shelter. A young goat around six months old, was found on Wednesday, January 3, wandering among pedestrians in Brooklyn, New York in a busy intersection on Hoyt Street. The Brooklyn branch of Animal Care & Control of New York City (AC&C) was called in to rescue him, after receiving a call from a local resident. Joey is a Boer goat, a larger breed originally from South Africa. Given his ear tag, Brooklyn AC&C determined he must have escaped a slaughterhouse.

Around the world goats are often used for their meat, milk and hair. In fact, goat meat consumption in the U.S. has increased by 64 percent from 1999 to 2003, due in large part to increased consumption of ethnic foods, including Latin American, Middle Eastern and Caribbean cuisine. Brooklyn, NY is home to multiple slaughterhouses that provide goat meat to local communities and other parts of the U.S.

"Joey is very lucky to have found his way to Farm Sanctuary," said Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary's New York Shelter director, "So many goats aren't as fortunate and more and more are slaughtered for their meat every year in the U.S. Goats are often compared to dogs in their temperament and personalities, and I can see why. Each one of our rescued goats is a unique individual, and if one takes the time to know Joey, Simon, Pearl, TJ, Elvis, Jerry Lee or any of the rest, they would never consider eating them."

Now safe at Farm Sanctuary, Joey will receive a full medical check to make sure he is healthy. He will then be introduced to the other 34 goats residing at Farm Sanctuary's New York Shelter. All have come from various rescue and abuse cases across the U.S., including one goat, Simon, who was also rescued off the streets of Brooklyn, found near several live markets. Other slaughterhouse escapees residing at Farm Sanctuary's New York Shelter include Queenie, a cow who escaped a slaughterhouse in Queens, NY, Cinci Freedom, a cow who jumped a 6-foot fence at a slaughterhouse in Cincinnati, OH, and Annie Dodge, a cow who escaped an auction house in Vermont.

"These escape artists challenge the notion that farm animals are meant for slaughter," added Coston. "Joey, and the rest of our escapees had the will and the means to run for their lives. I can't help but wonder how many others would escape, if only given the opportunity."

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, NY and Orland, CA provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.