Newborn goats Biffa and Veolia rescued from a Kent rubbish bin
Two newborn goats named Biffa and Veolia were rescued from a public bin in Ashford, Kent, on January 5. The animals, discovered with their umbilical cords still attached, are now recovering well at a local sanctuary.
A passerby heard faint bleating from a dustbin and rushed the Anglo-Nubian goats to a nearby vet. Their umbilical cords were still wet, showing they had been born just hours earlier. The rescuer, whose name remains unknown, then took them to Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats in Monchelsea.
Veterinary staff acted quickly, providing colostrum—a vital nutrient-rich milk—sourced from a local sheep farm. This treatment helped the fragile newborns survive their first critical hours. Ben Ward, Head of Hoofstock at the sanctuary, believes the goats were deliberately placed near a vet’s practice in the hope they would be found in time. The pair were later named after two major UK waste firms, Biffa and Veolia. Biffa Waste Management has since agreed to cover the cost of Biffa the goat’s care and veterinary bills for the next year. Today, both goats are thriving, happily running around their enclosure at the sanctuary.
The sanctuary has urged the public to think about the consequences of abandoning animals. They also encouraged support for charities working to protect animal welfare. The goats’ recovery highlights the importance of quick action and community care in saving vulnerable animals.
