An Anderson couple who claimed a $2 million Scratchers prize yesterday attributed their good fortune to a pet goat named “Bucky” and now they plan to reward that goat and other animals by using part of their winnings to improve their animal rescue farm.
The couple, Beverly and Jim Evens of Anderson, claimed their “Extravaganza” Scratchers prize yesterday at the California Lottery’s Sacramento District Office.
“Bucky” was the goat that inspired them to start an animal rescue farm in Riverside County several years ago. After rescuing and bottle feeding Bucky, the couple began rescuing other animals, including horses and chickens. But two and half years ago, with 46 goats and six horses on their farm, Riverside County officials threatened to shut down their operations, forcing them to relocate to Anderson.
“It all started with Bucky,” said Beverly Evens. “If it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t have started rescuing animals and we wouldn’t have moved up here. It’s because of him that we are here and we bought this ticket!”
Beverly and Jim plan to use a portion of their prize money on their animal rescue operation by building new horse fences, fixing stables, and improving their goat pens. “We are very low-maintenance people,” said Beverly Evens. “They way we look at it, as long as the animals are happy, so are we.”