Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, which goats stolen on Christmas, gets amazing gift

This couple were left devastated when their goats were stolen on Christmas Day. But an act of kindness — by someone experiencing her own hardship — has helped to heal the hole in their hearts.

Ian and Leanne Neeland with their new goats.

A generous act of kindness has warmed the hearts of a Yarra Valley couple who were left devastated after their beloved pet goats were stolen on Christmas Day.

A NSW farmer, who has been facing her own devastation in the bushfires, has gifted Leanne and Ian Neeland two baby goats.

The pair, who run Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, said they were touched by the generosity and have fallen in love with the business’ new pets, Fudgy Junior and Coconut.

Three of Leanne and Ian Neeland’s goats were stolen on Christmas Day.

“We are delighted,” Ms Neeland said.

“It’s very happy families here.”

The young goats are being bottle-fed and adored after having a hard start in life.

Ms Neeland said Fudgy Junior was just two days old when he had to be bundled into a car alongside other baby goats and dogs as his owner, Belinda Jones, was forced to evacuate her Buxton farm.

Being so young, he wouldn’t feed without his mum, but she wouldn’t accept him back when Ms Jones returned to her property after the fires.

She force-fed him to keep him alive, and a week later another of her goats gave birth to Coconut.

Ian Neeland with baby Coconut.

Ms Neeland said Ms Jones heard about the theft of their goats, and despite having lost 50 per cent of her property to fire about 12ha — she drove nine hours to deliver the goats to the Yarra Valley farm.

“She couldn’t believe someone could steal beautiful pet goats — knowing how much she loved her goats,” Ms Neeland said.

She said they named Fudgy Junior in honour of their stolen goat Fudgy, who he strongly resembles.

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The pair have also been touched by all the other support they’ve had since Fudgy, Vanilla and Nelly were taken, with their paddock fence cut open on Christmas Day — the one day of the year the chocolaterie is closed.

She said many people had been looking out for them, while police had been sending the pair photos of goats they were investigating.

But unfortunately, there have been no signs of the pets.

Ms Neeland said they could only hope the goats were being loved somewhere.