In 2022 my wife and I came to the Raytown board of aldermen to ask for permission to keep a few miniature goats, which we thought reasonable since, according to Raytown ordinance, our property is large enough to keep two horses. Since that day, I have learned a lot.

I learned that all the neighbors I spoke to, over 20-30 people in the surrounding blocks, were agreeable to the idea and signed in support of us having miniature goats. Many said they looked forward to us having miniature goats and often asked how things were going and, “When will we get the goats?”

I learned that an increasing number of cities throughout the nation are supporting residents keeping miniature goats in urban and suburban areas.  Famously, Seattle in 2012 came to accept the place miniature goats can have in an urban environment through the efforts of Jennie Grant, a goat owner who advocated for “justice” for her goats through the “Goat Justice League.” I came across news articles of city after city since then allowing miniature goats. One example is two more suburbs in the Denver area, Brighton and Thornton, recently approved keeping miniature goats in residential areas in 2022 and 2023.

I learned that the amount of space required by almost all cities is much less than I anticipated – many miniature goat ordinances for residential areas are designed for keeping miniature goats on 1/4^th or 1/5^th acre lots.

I learned that goats can be a polarizing topic, but that many of the stereotypes people have do not apply to female miniature goats or neutered male miniature goats, and that good care practices reduce many of the concerns people have initially.

I learned that although it takes a lot of work and diligence to keep miniature goats in a residential area, it is more than possible and more than reasonable. Many people have done it well before, and it is completely reasonable that Raytown citizens also be allowed to keep miniature goats well.

I learned how a common interest and common enjoyment such as miniature goats can bring people together and develop new friendships.

I learned how proud I am to be a Raytown citizen because Raytown allows its citizens to participate in its government. I learned that I thoroughly enjoy advocating for miniature goats and for the privilege for myself and others to keep them.

This website and blog is my endeavor to assemble and share the information I have learned and will learn along this journey in the hope that it helps many people to enjoy keeping miniature goats in residential areas.

Nathan Bergen

2022 KMBC News Raytown Considering Miniature Goats