A lamb for a pet
 

Does anyone have information whether or not a resident can have a pygmy goat or pygmy lamb as a pet.

Ehh, that would come under the livestock restriction in The Villages.

I can just imagine the posts on TOTV about goat and sheep poop!

I volunteered at the National Zoo in Washington DC and one of my "jobs" was to walk a goat around the zoo and talk to visitors. Let me tell you that goats have a mind of their own about where to walk!

The zoo also had 2 San Clemente Island goats which are now extinct in the wild. There are an estimated 500 of these goats left in the world in zoos and in breeding programs.

Google them to find out the reason. Very interesting reading.

It may be a baaaaad idea.

Guess you could always claim it is an emotional support animal. If you're nuts enough to want one, you could probably qualify.

Good one!

Why has it become so difficult on TOTV to get a rational answer to a rational question. When fully grown, both of these animals are the size of a very small dog. They are as trainable as any dog. I would like to put aside what some think as humor and get a serious answer. Non serious replies are of no value to me. If someone has knowledge about having these animals as pets in the Village please share with me what you know.

I would have enjoyed that job...

The way they graze (tearing grass out by the roots, or biting it off very close to the root line) can destroy the grass, leaving bare ground, and mud yard.

Where would it graze?

Sheep and goats as pets

Ewe have goat to be kidding.

According to the NPGA (National Pygmy Goat Association) they are considered livestock. You should have received a copy of the covenants when you closed on your house. Dollars to donuts there is something in there about livestock.

This is just a quick overview on what it takes to care
for your Pygmy Goats. As
with the purchase of any
pet we recommend you research your choice before
you buy.
Pygmy Goats are considered
livestock and are often
not allowed within city limits. Pygmy Goats require
protection from the weather and a safe place to romp
and play. A small 8 x 8 foot shed with an attached
20 x 20 foot pen is adequate for two goats. Goats are
extremely vulnerable to dog attacks and must never
be staked or tied out; even horns are not adequate
defense against dogs.
Pygmy Goats need good quality hay, fresh water, a
loose mineral supplement formulated for goats and
may also need a grain feed formulated for goats,
especially if young and growing or raising kids

I just had to look up pygmy goats.

According to the article I am linking here, Great Britain's Pygmy Goat Club says, "Pygmy goats should not be kept as house pets."

I don't know where someone in TV would keep a pygmy goat. They are classified as livestock. Sounds like they are supposed to live outside and have a little shed, at least, and a companion animal. Trying to do that in TV wouldn't be fair to the neighbors -- or to the goat.

Anyway, here is a short article about keeping a goat as a pet. Even though it seems to be discussing goats in general, it does mention pygmy goats. Same creature. Different size.

---I am not trying to get your goat, Warren. But this really does not sound like a good plan. I do not like to see people choose any kind of pet on a whim. But a goat in TV would be a real kicker.

Here are a few things to think about maybe.

Can a Goat Be Housebroken? | Animals - PawNation


You're welcome,
Reference Desk Laurie :024:

[QUOTE=Laurie2;1024546]I just had to look up pygmy goats.

According to the article I am linking here, Great Britain's Pygmy Goat Club says, "Pygmy goats should not be kept as house pets."

I don't know where someone in TV would keep a pygmy goat. They are classified as livestock. Sounds like they are supposed to live outside and have a little shed, at least, and a companion animal. Trying to do that in TV wouldn't be fair to the neighbors -- or to the goat.

Anyway, here is a short article about keeping a goat as a pet. Even though it seems to be discussing goats in general, it does mention pygmy goats. Same creature. Different size.

---I am not trying to get your goat, Warren. But this really does not sound like a good plan. I do not like to see people choose any kind of pet on a whim. But a goat in TV would be a real kicker.

Here are a few things to think about maybe.

Can a Goat Be Housebroken? | Animals - PawNationQUOTE]

Wikiipedia did say that pygmy goats were domestic animals but I did not spend any real time researching the animal. However, someone who has more knowledge about these goats than I should make a correction on Wikipedia.

No matter what -- they sure are cute!

My deed restrictions specify two domestic pets only. Otherwise I'd have a pony :)

I have heard on good authority from someone who wanted one sheep to crop his grass (instead of mowing) that a single sheep will pine away and die of loneliness. They are definitely herd animals.