Dumbledore
Dumbledore is an Angora goat who came to Blackbird Ranch in March of 2019 after being rescued from Halal slaughter. His rescue was possible because one kind person looked at Dumbledore and saw an individual life with value—not an animal to be used or discarded. That simple act of compassion changed the course of his life forever.
Today, Dumbledore is one of the most recognizable and entertaining residents at Blackbird Ranch. He has an absolutely enormous personality packed into one very fluffy goat!
His long Angora hair makes him look like he’s wearing a pair of baggy pajamas that are about ten sizes too big. And because of all that luxurious hair, Dumbledore is basically a walking piece of Velcro. Leaves, sticks, grass, and just about anything else he wanders through have a tendency to become permanently attached to him. He is constantly collecting souvenirs from his adventures!
Dumbledore is incredibly playful, curious, and full of life. He loves spending time with his sheep and goat friends, but he also genuinely enjoys being around people. That is especially meaningful considering that his early experiences with humans were anything but kind. Watching him happily approach people today is a beautiful reminder of how much an animal can change when given patience, safety, and love.
And then there are Dumbledore’s spectacular horns. They’re impressive all on their own, but Dumbledore has figured out an excellent use for them: scratching his back! Watching this magnificent, fluffy goat twist himself around to use his own horns as a personal scratching post is pretty entertaining. With his enormous horns and wild Angora coat, he sometimes looks less like a goat and more like a creature from a fairy tale.
Of course, Dumbledore has very strong opinions about treats. He is happy to accept just about anything offered to him, but his absolute favorite is his licorice-flavored goat treats. Hand one over and he’ll gobble it down with absolutely no hesitation!
Dumbledore may have started his life facing a very different fate, but today he gets to simply be Dumbledore: fluffy, goofy, playful, mischievous, and completely adored. He is one of those animals whose personality is impossible to forget—and we wouldn’t want him any other way. ❤️
Joon
Joon came to Blackbird Ranch in 2019 with his twin brother, Benny, after the two boys were rescued from a severe hoarding and neglect situation. They had been abandoned on a farm and left outside through the winter without adequate food or shelter. By the time they were rescued, they were dangerously thin—you could see every rib and vertebrae beneath their skin. Their hooves had grown so long that they could barely walk.
The property they came from was heartbreaking. Dead farm animals had been left scattered across the property, decomposing in the open. It’s truly a miracle that Joon and Benny survived the winter and made it out alive.
Today, Joon is a completely different goat. He has blossomed into a lively, curious boy who seems to approach life with one question: “What kind of trouble can I get into?”
Joon is especially memorable because of his ridiculously long legs. They’re almost comically tall for his body, and when he gets the zoomies, he goes flying across Goat Hill like a gangly little deer! He loves to run, gallop, and explore, and he has a wonderfully playful streak. One of his favorite games is challenging Benny to a good old-fashioned head-butting match. Their brotherly wrestling matches can get pretty impressive!
Joon also has an adventurous side. He loves investigating his surroundings and is always ready to see what’s happening. He’s the kind of goat who wants to be in the middle of the action rather than sitting quietly on the sidelines.
Although he started life frightened and neglected, Joon has learned that people can be trusted. He enjoys being brushed and is happy to accept carrot snacks, hugs, and attention. And if he’s in the mood, he may even reward you with one of his famous goat smoochies!
Watching Joon race across the pasture, explore his world, and get into harmless mischief is a wonderful reminder of how far he has come. Today, he gets to be exactly what he was always meant to be: a happy, playful, curious goat with the freedom to run, explore, and enjoy life. ❤️
