Deb’s been pretty busy in her life with careers that include swimwear designer, restaurateur, and commercial pilot. After living in San Francisco for 22 years, Deborah gave up the city life, bought a house, and moved to Santa Rosa. The newly acquired acreage enabled her to have space for a few chickens and a couple of goats. One thing led to another – her love of farm animals grew, as did her furry and feathered family. After seeing a video about animal agriculture and feeling shocked and saddened, she became vegan overnight. She devoted herself to the belief that all beings deserve to be happy and live a life free of harm and fear. And then she started rescuing animals. Almost all animals at Goatlandia were destined for slaughter, unwanted, sick, or born with congenital disabilities. Instead, they have been rescued, healed, made to feel safe, and are very loved (and a little spoiled). Today, Goatlandia is home to a family of goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, horses, dogs, and two happy (and very busy) humans
Ivan is from Oaxaca Mexico, and has been here in Sonoma County for 22 years. He has spent 13 years working in Permaculture and Landscape Installation in Sonoma County. Ivan is in charge of all of Goatlandia’s Construction, Landscape Installation and Management, and Facilities. Ivan enjoys working at Goatlandia because he loves being on the land, building things, and helping things grow. Marcus is Ivan’s favorite goat. When he was a young boy, Ivan’s mom sold his favorite goat and he was so sad, so he really enjoys being around goats now that are happy, loved and safe.
Jo is British, but has been in California for the last 18 years. Most recently Jo was the Chief People Officer for Pinterest. Since then she has been on a mission to engage more deeply with the community she lives in, and pursue her passion for animal welfare, creativity, plants and fiber.
Since becoming a volunteer in 2023, Jo has been inspired by the Goatlandia team and their mission. When she’s not at Goatlandia, she’s cycling with her husband, knitting, in the kitchen perfecting gluten free sourdough, or tending to her Occidental garden.
Joseph was born and raised in San Francisco and owns and operates a boutique dog hotel in the mission with his partner. He hopes to give back to his community through public outreach, advocacy, and a meat-free lifestyle. Goatlandia aligns with his views of how we should be challenging the status quo of animals, and promoting and protecting them.
Sylvie found her passion for rescuing animals two decades ago after working in the fragrance industry, being a caterer, and raising 3 children. She was born in France but has lived in the USA for more than 30 years and moved to Northern California in 2018.
Her advocacy started with cats and dogs in New York suburbs, then when she moved to California she discovered Goatlandia. Currently Sylvie actively runs her business, Atelier Sylvie Fremont, a small gold and silver handmade jewelry studio. She's also an ordained minister and enjoys performing weddings and animal blessings.
Since 2001, Sylvie is also a Reiki master and teacher. Through her practice, she promotes shelter animals, healing and compassion through Kindness Reiki, her teaching platform for animals and their humans.
Uta first visited Goatlandia in November 2016, on a quest to visit animal sanctuaries in the Bay Area after she went vegan in October 2016. She has been involved and in love with Goatlandia and its animals ever since! She is Chair of the Board, and has been a part of numerous outreach events for the sanctuary. Uta works in development at a mathematical institute and enjoys telling her coworkers about the joys of goat selfies. She is inspired daily by studying herbalism, being in nature, walking her dog, and by the founder of Goatlandia, Deborah Blum.
Laurie, having grown up as the proverbial black sheep in her family, has always championed the underdog — sadly, somewhat silently for a good part of her existence. Recently, happily, advocating for those without a voice has begun to manifest itself in her actions with fewer apologies. Five years ago, she ditched dairy to become fully vegan. Preparing meals for her family daily during the confinement has become a joy, a meditation and a religion. Prior to this most recent revelation, Laurie grew up in Connecticut, went to college in North Carolina, married shortly thereafter to her husband of 37 years and has three children. And lots of animals. She has worked in advertising, art sales, film production and music education. Settling in to animal welfare is where she is meant to be and she is honored and grateful to have met and be welcomed into the Goatlandia community. With her husband she supports and has boots on the ground within a few other environmental and animal welfare organizations including World Wildlife Fund, E.O. Wilson’s Half Earth Project and Muttville.