Say hello to the newest residents of Gordon Head.
The three-year wait is over for Gabby and Baby, two miniature fainting goats that now belong to 12-year-old Jillian McCue, who lobbied Saanich council to allow goats as pets through a brand new pilot project.
“I think that it’s amazing how something that I started three years ago has blossomed into having two pet goats and just being a part of the pilot project,” said McCue.
McCue has had the goats for a little over a week, picking them from a farm in Deep Cove that she regularly visited in the leadup to their adoption. So far, she said they’ve been well behaved “little angels.”
“At first, they were a bit nervous about being in a new place, but then they understood they’re staying here,” said McCue. “Baby sometimes gets sad when I leave her to eat, so I’ve been trying to eat outside.”
McCue is the only goat owner in the 18-month pilot project, and she made sure to be prepared for Gabby and Baby’s arrival. Her backyard features a fenced-off area for the goats and a ramp leading up to their pen, which happens to be McCue’s 60-square-foot treehouse.
Already, the goats have turned some heads – in a good way – as McCue has taken them for walks in her neighbourhood.
“The first day that I got them, they went on about three walks,” said McCue. “It’s so cool having people talk about their first time seeing someone walking a goat.
“I’ve had people say, ‘Oh, I saw you in the paper,’ to, ‘I had goats growing up and it’s so cool seeing someone else with them.’ It’s been amazing.”
It may be unusual, but McCue said she hopes others will realize the benefits of goat ownership – something she hopes to prove through this pilot project.
“I hope to find out that I’ll be able to keep them and people will learn about how amazing goats are and how great they are for the environment,” she said.