Goats Are Great Escape Artists: An Interview with The Goat With Many Coats Author Leanne Lauricella

How did you get into goat rescue?

I was working as an event planner in New York City. After several years, I began to feel unfulfilled in my career. I started thinking to myself that there must be something more purposeful I should be doing with my life. I was a new vegan, and after reading about the horrors of factory farming, I developed an instant compassion for farm animals. I decided to quit my job as an event planner to explore opportunities working with animals. I started by volunteering at another sanctuary, and slowly built my own.

When I brought home my first two baby goats, I had been “binge watching” the show called Sons of Anarchy. I thought it would be cute to name my first two goats after my favorite characters in the show, Jax and Opie. I started an Instagram account to share their silly antics with friends and family and found it only fitting that it be called Goats of Anarchy.

Is it true that goats will eat anything? Have yours eaten any of your books?
Goats won’t eat anything, but they are very curious and will definitely check out everything you leave in their path. One thing goats will eat is paper, and yes, they have nibbled on a few of my books!

On the show, Sons of Anarchy, the name “Prospect” was given to the newcomers in the motorcycle gang. Prospect was a tiny little newcomer, but very tough and we thought that name was perfect.

Was Prospect really as small as a tea cup? That must have been the cutest thing ever.

Prospect was the tiniest baby I have ever seen. He was about 24 hours old when I brought him home. He was only about a pound, so yes, he was definitely as tiny as a tea cup!

Are Prospect’s coats specifically made for goats or did you use people’s coats? Have you thought about opening a store selling coats for goats?

Thank you! I have always wanted to keep goats. What’s some good advice for starting out?

For someone wanting to get goats, I recommend that they do a lot of research first. Despite the reputation, goats are actually quite fragile. You must have a farm vet nearby who specializes in goats because trust me, you will need them. A small animal vet cannot treat a goat. The property has to have goat safe fencing, goat safe feeders and must be predator proof. Toxic trees, bushes and plants must be removed and a proper shelter and playground should be built. Goats love to climb and hate getting wet! They run for cover if they feel a single drop of rain. Goats are great escape artists and they have many predators. I recommend that you volunteer at an animal sanctuary for a while first to learn about them. They can live for 15 years so it is a long commitment!

Piney the Goat Nanny is my favorite book yet. Piney has always been the sweetest pig, and reading about his relationships with the baby goats is heartwarming. I think everyone will fall in love with Piney!

I think so, too. Thank you, Leanne!