How to Keep Goats in the City

Metropolises like Minneapolis/St. Paul, Seattle and Portland allow urban residents to keep goats as pets. Many owners find goats to be interesting, entertaining and rewarding pets. Aside from the company they provide, goats also provide fresh milk, which can be converted into cheese, butter and yogurt. But goats are unlike other common pets in a few ways. If you've never owned a goat before, and are considering getting one, there are things you need to be prepared for.

Instructions

    • 1

      Consider the commitment that goes into keeping a goat. Like dogs, some goats can live well into their teens. This is a long-term commitment that needs to be seriously weighed before making the purchase.

    • 2

      Become familiar with your city's zoning ordinances. Just because some cities allow people to keep goats, doesn't necessarily mean that your city does. Find out whether you'll need a permit as well. If so, execute the necessary steps to get the permit.

    • 3

      Create a space in your backyard that's at least 250 square feet in area for your goats. Goats need room to move around, so if your urban home can't provide this amount of space, you shouldn't get pet goats.

    • 4

      Build a fence around your backyard. Goats need room to roam around, but you need to keep them from escaping. Make it at least 6 feet tall because goats are good at climbing. Goats are also prey animals, which means coyotes, dogs or other large carnivores may attempt to eat them. The fence is just as essential for keeping predators out, as it is for keeping goats in.

    • 5

      Purchase at least two goats because they're herding animals and prefer to be in groups.

    • 6

      Set up an area in a shed, garage or basement where you can store bales of hay and goat feed. Many goats eat hay, but they'll also eat whatever they can reach. This can include flowers, plants, berries and tree bark. Setting up a hay feeder in their roaming area is also a good idea because goats don't typically eat food off of the ground.

    • 7

      Set up large dog houses or "dogloos" for your goats to hide when the weather gets cold or windy.