Two newborn Anglo-Nubian goat kids were shockingly dumped in a public rubbish bin in Ashford, Kent—just hours after birth. Against all odds, the tiny siblings survived their grim start. They’ve since been lovingly named Biffa and Veolia, after the UK’s top waste firms now footing the bill for their care.
Found Barely Alive in a Rubbish Bin
On January 5, a passer-by near a veterinary clinic heard faint bleating coming from a bin. Inside, the helpless babies huddled among the rubbish, their wet umbilical cords still fresh.
“It’s very fortunate that the two survived after being placed in a bin hours after their birth in such cold weather,” said Ben Ward, Head of Hoofstock at Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats.
The rescuer rushed the freezing goats to vets on site. Veolia, the female, was pale and weak. Her brother Biffa battled severe lung trouble and struggled to breathe. Antibiotics were rushed in amid fears Biffa wouldn’t make it through the night.
Thankfully, local farmers donated precious colostrum—the vital first milk—and kind volunteers bottle-fed the tiny goats throughout the night.
Sanctuary Care Sparks a Comeback
The following day, staff from Buttercups Sanctuary collected the twins. At their Maidstone base, the newborns were settled into a warm pen stuffed with thick straw and heat lamps to aid recovery.
Veolia soon found strength and took her first shaky steps. Biffa’s lungs remained fragile but he showed steady signs of fighting through.
Waste Giants Pledge Full Support
- Biffa Waste Management vowed to cover all Biffa’s vet bills for an entire year.
- Veolia pledged to fund food costs for both goat kids during their recovery.
“We don’t want there to be any kidding around between Veolia and Biffa so Veolia is delighted to be covering the cost of food for both goats for a year,” said a Veolia spokesperson.
Now thriving and full of life, Biffa and Veolia bound joyfully around their enclosure, leaving their grim rubbish bin start far behind.
