Where is she now?: Willy the missing rodeo goat

WILLACY COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A year ago, Willy, the rodeo goat, made national headlines when she went missing in Willacy County. But where is she now?

Willy the goat went missing July 15, 2023 after escaping a holding pen during a youth rodeo event.

Willy the goat sporting a new scarf (Photo from Willacy Co. Livestock Show and Fair)

At the time, local businesses and groups contributed to the search by offering awards for finding Willy the goat including food, gift cards, car washes, and clothing.

Many residents were seen on horseback and others using drones with the same common goal: finding Willy.

After a two-week-long search and thousands of concerned citizens online, Willy was found on July 31, 2023 by two Willacy County cowboys.

Ricardo Rojas III and Sammy Ambriz, were able to round-up the missing goat. A few days later, the Willacy County community gathered to honor the two men and asked them about the capture.

“We tried not to rush things,” Rojas said. “She kind of ran for a while, ran and finally slowed down. When she got like that, we tried to corner her.”

After her capture, the local celebrity vanished from the internet, but as of Wednesday, we finally have an update.

The Willacy Co. Livestock Show and Fair Facebook page posted the following message from Willy!

"Hi everyone… it’s me Willy! It was one year ago today that these awesome Cowboys found me (after the great search!) and I moved to my new home! Just look at me now!! I am thriving, healthy, happy and well adjusted. Thanks to all of you for making me Willacy County’s most famous goat of all time! I can’t wait to see you all at the 2025 WCLS Cook-off and Fair! "

^{Willy the goat with cowboys Ricardo Rojas III and Sammy Ambriz (Photo from Willacy Co. Livestock Show and Fair)}

The post was uploaded with two current photos of Willy in a stylish blue, green and purple scarf and another of her cuddled up with her favorite cowboys.

The hashtags #Itsgoodtobeagoat, #rodeogoat, #famousinasmalltown and #willyspecialgoat can be used to find Willy.

In 2023, after her capture, Willy was named Willy the Mascot, representing the Willacy County Livestock and Fair show.

For a chance to see Willy in person, save the date for the Willacy County Livestock Show Kick-off Cook-off on Jan. 17 and 18 and the WCLS and Fair from Jan. 22 to 25.