News Blog: Belmont Goat Owners Turn To Crowdsourcing For Move

Published 6:01 pm Sunday, March 30, 2014

Oregon Public Broadcasting

Step aside tech startups: The Belmont Goats have turned to crowdsourcing to help with the move to their new home.

The herd’s caretakers are asking for the public’s help on Indiegogo to cover $7,500 in moving expenses. The 60-day campaign has raised about $600 since its launch Sunday night.

The money will cover insurance, a use permit and construction on the goats’ future plot in Lents neighborhood — a move that was approved by Portland Development Commission.

Contributors to the cause are promised perks like a bumper sticker or a photo of “your fave goat.” A $250-contribution will get you an in-home visit if you live in Portland, but keep in mind that goats will eat anything and everything.

The goats must move from the Belmont site because landowner and developer Killian Pacific wants to break ground on a long-anticipated retail and apartment project and there isn’t any space for the animals.

There are 14 goats among the herd and caretakers want to keep them together and accessible to the public. The urban herd has been living on a vacant lot on SE 10th and Belmont in Portland since October 2012.

Before they moved in, rented herds were brought in the vacant lot to clear the grass starting in 2010. A business owner across the street got approval from the landowner for a permanent herd. He then bought his own goats and recruited caretakers — the rest is history.

This story originally appeared on Oregon Public Broadcasting.

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