• A dog crate was used to transport the goats from the city to the farm on weekends.
Community Relations Pilot generated a frenzy of overwhelmingly positive media attention. DPS staff and Pilot were featured in multiple media outlets both locally and nationally including television news programs, major print publications, YouTube, newspapers, websites, and even CNN! Regular updates were provided at staff meetings and City Council meetings. Pilot and Co-Pilot received a tremendous amount of interest from the public throughout their time at City Hall. Staff volunteers kept watch from office windows, stopped by during breaks, and even brought family members for visits. Pilot was a guest at a local elementary school where the Principal had to “Kiss the Goat” as a reward for students meeting goals. Pilot was a popular exhibit at the DPW Open House and even starred in a DPW training video on winter maintenance. The goats became unofficial mascots for the Department of Public Services and helped the City develop new relationships with MSU, Oakland County Animal Control, USDA, and others.
and more productive in groups. Goats come in a wide variety of breeds, with Pygmies fully grown at 50 pounds, while Alpines can reach 175 pounds. Smaller breeds are easier to handle, but eat less. Regular veterinary care and immunizations were needed, as was registration with the USDA. Finding a qualified, local veterinarian who worked with farm animals in an urban area wasn’t easy, so advance planning is recommended. Have realistic expectations. One or two goats aren’t going to solve any invasive problem overnight. Our small detention basin at City Hall received effective treatment in a three-month period. Many plants will require multiple treatments over several years until the existing seed bank is exhausted. Some plants are toxic (yew, nightshade, rhododendron, and many more) to goats and they just don’t seem to eat certain plants, such as thistle and catnip. Provide variety and safe conditions. Goats are like young children—playful and rambunctious!
Many farms use electric fencing to contain goats, but they will often test the system and break free. They also love to climb, so providing wooden shipping crates, donated playground equipment, etc. will add to their productivity and help the animals reach taller woody vegetation. Goats also enjoy the company of people. This is great for public relations, but can be potentially harmful for the animals if someone is intent on pranking or causing harm to the livestock. Leverage your local animal lovers to your advantage. People are passionate about animals. We used this to our advantage to gain support for the program and solicit volunteers to assist with the care of the animals. The authors will give a presentation on this topic at the 2016 APWA PWX in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their session is entitled “Herbicide on Legs – Goats for Vegetation Management” and takes place on Tuesday, August 30, at 2:00 p.m. Gary Mekjian can be reached at (248) 8712535 or GMekjian@fhgov.com; Karen Mondora can be reached at (248) 8712534 or kmondora@fhgov.com.
Lessons Learned Engage community resources. Fortunately, we had a nearby resident who owned goats and was willing to assist with their care. The MSU Tollgate Farm, located three miles from the DPW, was another valuable resource. Residents were overwhelmingly supportive, once concerns about proper animal treatment were allayed. Recognize the social and physical needs of goats. Goats are herd animals and need socialization; we quickly learned that they are happier
A goat used in a prank was rescued by the Farmington Hills Police Department.
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August 2016
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APWA Reporter
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