Lots of Kansas City municipalities let you raise mini goats as pets. Why not Raytown?

Nathan and Rachel Bergen addressed the Raytown Board of Aldermen at the April 19 meeting during public comments. The couple wants to raise miniature goats on their property.

The Bergens moved to Raytown with their three children nearly two years ago. Nathan, acting as family spokesman, suggested the same laws the city has on the books for the stabling of horses should also apply to miniature goats. Current city ordinances do not allow the harboring of miniature goats in Raytown.

The Bergens moved their family here because their house is located on nearly 2 acres of land. They wasted no time. They raised chickens, grew a large garden, planted fruit trees and now hope to raise Nigerian dwarf goats as pets and for the goats’ highly valued milk and cheese. Rachel has 15 years experience as a licensed veterinarian tech, trained in the care and medical treatment of animals

Their plan is a good one and should be approved by the Board of Aldermen.

One of the best kept secrets about Raytown is that many of the older homes in the city were built on large tracts of land — so large that city ordinances already allow for the stabling of horses, raising chickens and potbellied pigs.

I was fortunate to grow up in one of those neighborhoods. Next door to us were 8 acres of undeveloped land owned by a local veterinarian. He had horses, mules and donkeys. The land passed on to another owner who continued the small farm with one addition: miniature pygmy goats.

The homes in our neighborhood were built on the remains of an apple orchard. Because of this, all of our hoofed friends would hang out near our property because they knew if they were patient, they would end up enjoying some of the apples from our trees.

The miniature goats were not a problem. In fact, they were quite entertaining. They do have some peculiar habits. They can jump straight up to about 4 feet, so they must be fenced in well to keep them from wandering.

As with any domesticated animal, the city can set minimum land requirements and fencing for pet owners. City ordinances already limit the number of warm blooded animals allowed to be kept as pets in Raytown.

Miniature goats are extremely clean animals and thrive in our Midwestern climate. Their lifespan is 15 to 20 years. They have a temperament similar to a well trained dog’s.

That makes them friendly, easy to handle and social. They love to play. They can even be trained, just like any other pet. Moreover, they are excellent companions for kids and the elderly alike. Unlike dogs, they do not bark. They do not bite. They are inquisitive, loving creatures that seem to crave human companionship. They are good pets.

The raising of miniature goats is not an earth changing event. Fortunately, zoning permitted, you can keep goats almost anywhere you live.

Raytown wouldn’t be alone in the Kansas City metropolitan area to let homeowners raise these goats on sufficient amounts of property: Lee’s Summit, Independence, Belton, Olathe, Shawnee, Kansas City and Kansas City, Kansas, all allow it. Other major cities that permit urban goat-keeping include San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Charlottesville, Denver, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Berkeley, California.

Why not Raytown?

We are a small city of 10 square miles with some homes built on very large yards that make the raising of horses, potbellied pigs and chickens possible. Why not add miniature goats to the mix? If it works in neighboring communities, it will work here.

This story was originally published May 5, 2022 at 5:00 AM.