It’s a goat … It’s a sheep? … It’s a ram!

  A ram was rescued from Eagle’s Landing Country Club on Saturday, August 8 after many weeks of munching on vegetation located on personal property within the subdivision.

  Various residents reported a ‘goat’ that was seen in multiple locations throughout the subdivision and called the Henry County Animal Control, however, they were unable to capture the animal after numerous attempts. 

  After an apparent identity crisis, the ‘goat’ was finally correctly identified as a sheep. But, as it is a male, the animal is called a ram. 

  Jennifer Evans, an Eagle’s Landing Country Club resident, said that after repeated promises to herself “not to get involved,” her natural inclination to assist any animal in need overwhelmed her. She felt sympathy for the lone ram and sought help.

  “When I started doing more research about sheep, I learned that they are a flock animal and that they depend on their flock to feel safe. I was deeply troubled by the whole situation and that’s when I really started searching and trying to find a farmer,” said Evans. 

  After attempting to catch the ram herself, she personally reached out to multiple area farms asking for assistance and she finally found a farm that would be willing to re-home the ram … if it could only be caught.

  The Good Shepherd Family Farm in McDonough answered Evans’ plea for help and showed up fully equipped to handle the task at hand.

  Jennifer Campbell, owner of The Good Shepherd Family Farm in McDonough, brought her brother and six of her eight children to the subdivision to assist in capturing the wayward ram.

  After 20 minutes, the ram was apprehended after successfully evading capture for three weeks.

  So, what stumped the ram, finally allowing himself to be captured? His own reflection. 

  Convinced he was no longer alone, after seeing a reflection of himself in a downstairs window of a resident’s house, he paused to stare, thinking it was another sheep.

  While the ram was distracted, the Campbell family was able to surround him, capture him, and get him secure for the trip back to their farm.

  Campbell said that her family’s experience working with many animals on their farm helped them capture the ram quickly. 

  “We have tons of animals around. The kids have horses, and goats and sheep and cows,” said Campbell. “We’re always dealing with animals and that’s how they knew how to get the animal so well. They’re right in the middle of everything. We couldn’t run this farm without them.”

  The Good Shepherd Family Farm has re-homed rescue chickens before, but never a ram, Campbell said. So, this rescue was a first for their family.

  “We take a lot of rescue roosters or chickens. But as far as catching sheep, this is the first time we’ve gone and caught somebody’s sheep. They told me it was a goat and it was actually a sheep. But, everyone in the neighbored thought it was a goat,” laughed Campbell. 

  According to Evans, it was unclear where the ram came from. However, Eagle’s Landing Country Club has seen its share of unusual animals traipsing through the neighborhood. 

  “It’s not uncommon for an odd animal to show up in Eagle’s Landing,” said Evans. “We had a wild boar go through the neighborhood about eight months ago.”

  After the ram was relocated, the Eagle’s Landing Country Club Home Owner’s Association made a donation to the farm in appreciation for removing the ram from the neighborhood. 

  The ram, now named Goat, is enjoying life on The Good Shepherd Family Farm in a pasture with other livestock.

  “He fit in just fine. We put him in with the rams and he is fitting in perfectly,” said Campbell. 

  Chloe Campbell, the 10 year-old daughter of Jennifer Campbell, hopes to use Goat to expand her sheep breeding business.

  The children state that they love farm life and express that they “would never trade it in for anything.”

  The Good Shepherd Family Farm has been in operation for 11 years and provides a number of fresh products from the farm to the public in their store, serving about 150 families each week. 

  Their products include grass fed beef, pork and chicken, eggs, cream, butter, cheese, honey, soap, and other items. 

  The Good Shepherd Family Farm is located at 1995 East Lake Road in McDonough. For more information about the farm, call 770-274-9093.