[Roxy]

before going ahead and getting livestock?

I was contacted the other day by a lady asking if I could rehome her 8 month old entire pygmy goat.  i rang her back yesterday, and enquired as to the reason she wanted to part with the little fella.  She said she got him 3 months ago.  She lives on a new development, and keeps him in the garden.  I asked about neighbours, thinking of the smell of a billy etc. and she said no one lived next door as yet (I did wonder if there are regulations on new build sites, on keeping livestock - maybe not?)  She has to tether him to keep him there, so goodness knows what the garden looks like.  She was hoping to have another goat too she said.  Apparantly she was going to rent some land off the farmer whose fields back onto their house. Unfortunately the field tenant who has had it donkeys years, says no way.

Now, is that was me, I would make sure I had the land BEFORE I went out and got the goat.  I also saw some hens advertised saying the landlord would not allow livestock.  Again, would it not be better to check first?

Re the goat, I am going to look at it, to see it is definitely a pygmy, as 4 of my pygmy females are registered and therefore little, and my two billies are too large for them.  Not making a decision until I have seen him.

[Hilarysmum]

Why because its the got to have it now mentality.  We do try to make sure the people we sell piglets to are sensible, caring owners, but we too have had our fingers burned.

[Snoopy]

One day we got a phone call from a brother-in-law.
Could we go and collect a pony he had bought for the kids - he lives in an estate with a tiny garden and at that time was unemployed.

We asked him where he wanted us to take it, once our trailer was available?
He said, Well I'm gonna keep it at your place as you have lots of land, and Tara can share it with my boys.

At the time Tara was four, we would not even consider a pony for a child that young, and as they lived 18 miles away, I could only assume, we were going to  not only have it on our land, but feed the damn thing every day too. 

It was one of those occasions when a really good marriage almost ended up in Divorce courts for "other peoples doings".

Anyhow to cut a long story short I put my foot down and said NO!
So I was the bad one of the family, no birthday cards, no visits, no christmas party invites - it was bliss (lol).
The poor pony ended up at Grandads, who ended up feeding it.    They turned up once a week to look at it.    One day after a couple of months, the pony bit one of the brothers kids, so it was sold.

Some people just do not think - which is why I do sometimes shudder at questions asked on forums, you can sometimes read between the lines and see that a not so nice situation is going to or could arise, and past experiences of things make you worry, not for the keepers, but for the poor animal involved.

There's only one explaination to this - one of my accountancy friends sayings
"It takes allsorts to make a World"
 

[HappyHippy]

I have to admit to being terribly impulsive 
BUT - I've got lots of land, a CPH and herd numbers and always know the basics about whatever I'm going to look at (read going to buy, but - shhh- don't tell hubby!) 
For example, after getting everything sorted in preperation my weaners (learning the basics, paperwork & fencing) I went to "look" at some pigs, just to get a feel for them, see what they were like, ask the farmer some questions - I came home with 2 in a 1 tonne feed bag in the back of my company car ! - I just couldn't resist   

I do agree that too many people want the latest "thing", perhaps programmes on telly make it look too easy & romantic notions of people having their own goat/pig/horse in their back garden - fine if your garden's a couple of acres, but NOT if you're in a housing estate with barely enough room for chooks. I do worry that some folks out there (none of us TASers obviously  ) rush in without finding out the needs of the animals, how much space, how big they get, how much it costs to house, feed and treat them.
Once the novelty wears off and the reality of looking after aforementioned livestock really kicks in they realise they've made a mistake - but it could all be avoided with just a little research and planning beforehand.
But how do you stop them ?

At least the lady in question has done the right thing by contacting a sensible, experienced person, Roxy and you'll hopefully be able to rescue this poor wee goat and give it a better life 

[sandy]

I have a friend who often gets lumbered and she ends up being stressed and has then to tell the person who puts on her  and so then become  "the bad one".  Some people ask favors or to borrow something and then get angrey and call you mean if you say no..I must add, although I am a bit soft, I stand my ground and don't usualy get asked etc so the examples are not me, just get put on in other ways!!!! What I am basicaly saying, why do the people who put on others get all the support and those who get put on get the blame

[r+lchick]

Roxy,  You end up taking in the animal because you feel sorry for it.  I have been wanting goats for 4 years.  I have looked into it, maybe too thoroughly.  I have even lined up a kind goatlady who is going to let me have a go at milking a goat.   We have tried goat's milk, cheese, butter and meat.  But I still won't get one yet. I know, if I am working I cannot give them the time they need.  I suppose that is why the RSPCA are very cautious about giving out animals and all people are vetted.  The ones that buy privately and "just go ahead" is why we have the RSPCA to go and rescue the animals when negleted.  People can be very shortsighted.  I bet everyone on this forum vets and vetos as much as possible before selling on their animals.  Alas, some horribles are just in it for the money.  Hope he is a nice goat and you can help.  Keep up informed. Ros   

[Roxy]

If only everyone was as sensible as you obviously are!!  Sadly, some people do not realise the committment of taking on an animal ......until a few weeks down the line, when they find they were a bit hasty.

Hopefully you will find your ideal goat - it will have a lovely home with you