In case you didn't catch it, the Seattle City Council has passed a law on Monday that classifies minigoats as small animals rather than farm animals, and the new licensing requirement treats them like dogs, cats, exotic animals and potbellied pigs.
The Seattle Times had an article; Tuesday, September 25th, 2007 entitled "One giant step for goatkind": Seattle gives them pet status. Also known as pygmy or dwarf goats, the animals weigh between 50 and 100 pounds and grow to about 2 feet tall. Owners keep them as pets and sources of milk.
The article goes on to say how a woman that lives in the Madronna neighborhood has a goat that gives a half gallon of milk every day. She said she makes cheese with it.
On Thursday, June 14th, 2007, SeattlePI.com had an excellent article entitled Rent-a-goats gain foothold. When it comes to steep slopes covered in blackberry vines, goats are faster and cheaper than human crews or heavy equipment. Goats can't compete with herbicides for speed but can work in wetlands and along stream banks with minimal threat to water quality or salmon habitat. If allowed to return to an area for a couple of years, they can almost entirely remove English ivy, Scotch broom and blackberries.
The article talks about who has used goats to clear areas and how successful it was.
"It was unbelievable," said John Iwanczuk, a project manager for Saltaire Construction in Seattle. "We've been in the business for 25 years -- we're skeptical about everything. But not only did it reach our objective, we saved a pile of money and made incredible inroads with the neighborhood."
Bringing goats into the city to do what they do best has its advantages: They're cheaper than manual laborers, chemical-free and popular with parents and children. Even the critters' droppings are in demand.
Last month, Iwanczuk was faced with a steep quarter-acre lot on Dearborn Street covered with impenetrable brush. He figured it would take a crew at least a week to clear the lot, filling eight to10 trucks with waste.
When a real estate broker suggested goats, Iwanczuk agreed to give it a try. His colleagues laughed -- at first.
Four days and 60 goats later, the blackberry vines and Scotch broom were gone, and Iwanczuk had risen to neighborhood hero status. Elementary school groups came to watch and pet the goats as they dozed on the sidewalk. Moms brought freshly baked cookies. Local gardeners lusting for free fertilizer scooped the lot clean of droppings.
Iwanczuk estimates he saved $6,000 to $9,000 on the job.
I have said it in the past--Seattle is very pet friendly. I am giving the link to Pet Licensing. You will find the address for the main office and all the locations for community centers where pet licenses may be purchased. It also gives links for foster care and volunteer opportunities.
A 50% discount on fees is available for low income senior citizens and disabled persons who have a Gold Card for Healthy Aging or FLASH card. Call the Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens at (206) 684-0500 to apply for the ID card. For information on licenses for service animals, please contact our office at (206) 386-4262.
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