Urban Milking

In September, 2007, the Seattle City Council passed a measure permitting small goats to be kept as pets and for milking inside city limits. They specified that the goats must be de-horned, and the males must be neutered. In response to this, we submitted the following letter, which did not get printed, so we are making it available to the public here.

Letter to the Editor:

Goats are intelligent, sensitive creatures whose strongest instinct is their bond with the herd and their human companions.

Our mission for the past twelve years has been to "seek safe and loving homes for pet goats" and provide sanctuary for those that cannot be placed. Sadly, there are far more goats than there are homes. If the recent goat keeping measure by the City Council will provide more placement opportunities for unwanted goats, we applaud it.

Unfortunately, we fear the measure will result in more unwanted goats, because it encourages breeding goats for milk. Each kidding results in one to four baby goats. Goats live to be about 12 years old. What will become of the kids, and the retired does? Given the limited space available to the urban goat keeper, it is inconceivable that they would be able to provide a home for more than two or three goats.

The tragic and inevitable fate for many dairy cast-offs is to be wrenched away and subjected to the loneliness and terror of the auction, only to find their end in the horror of the slaughterhouse. Or they may end up at a neighborhood barbeque, in which case their slaughter will likely be carried out by inexperienced people in the back yard. We have rescued many goats from these very situations.

Other goat owners might try to place their goats through the humane society. Most such agencies do not take goats. They might Google "goat rescue" and contact us. We currently have 25 rescued goats and know of many more that need homes. There are simply not enough homes for pet goats.

It is important to distinguish between goats as pets and goats as livestock. Goats are pets when they are simply enjoyed for who they are and the companionship they offer, like a dog or cat. Brush clearing is just a bonus. Pets are not used for milk or meat.

Pet goats and their owners truly deserve the rights that the Council has granted them. Female goats (does) and castrated males (wethers) CAN make wonderful pets. Adopting and caring for them is helping, not harming.

We hope that, having taken "one giant step" in the right direction for goats, the Council will look around, see that a slight correction is needed, and take a half-step back to exclude breeding and milking from the legal activities of goat owners in the city.

Jane and Jim Hyde
Goat Rescue

Go to: The Goat Rescue Home Page

Last update: 15-Oct-07