The North Carolina Pygmy Goat Club was founded in 1981 by a group of dedicated pygmy goat enthusiasts to promote the pygmy goat breed in the central region of North Carolina. We called our group the Piedmont Pygmy Goat Club. In the following years the name has changed twice to reflect our growing membership that now includes members from North Carolina and many other states as well.

Our club’s purpose is to aid and encourage the keeping, breeding, perpetuation, and exhibition of pygmy goats under the National Pygmy Goat Association’s breed standards. We want to stimulate popular interest in pygmy goats, and their proper care and management. We research and study the characteristics of the pygmy goat, the husbandry and breeding, and collect and make available useful information concerning them. Finally, we encourage and conduct exhibits for the purpose of advancing the cause of the pygmy goat as a useful breed within the American agricultural system.

BECOMING A PYGMY GOAT OWNER

As with the purchase of any pet we recommend you research your choice BEFORE buying your pet.

Pygmy goats are considered livestock and are often not allowed within city limits. Pygmy goats require protection from the weather and a safe place to romp and play. A small 8 x 8 foot shed with an attached 20 x 20 foot pen is adequate for two goats. Goats are extremely vulnerable to dog attacks and must never be staked or tied out; even horns are not adequate defense against dogs.

Pygmy goats need good quality hay, such as orchard grass, fresh water, and a loose mineral supplement formulated for goats and, if young or raising kids, a grain feed also formulated for goats.

They need to have their feet trimmed every two months, and must be dewormed and vaccinated for disease regularly.

Goats should be kept in at least pairs as they are so strongly herd oriented they become very stressed if alone for any extended period of time. But do not keep a buck (unneutered male) and doe (female) together! Bucks are not pets; they have a very strong odor, and some rather nasty habits such as urinating on themselves and should be considered breeding stock only. Two does, a doe and wether, or two wethers make a wonderful starter herd. A wether is a neutered male goat and makes a wonderful pet. He never develops the odor, or nasty habits of a buck that have given goats a reputation for being smelly and dirty.

This is just a quick overview on what it takes to care for your pygmy goats.

MEETINGS

We get together at fun and informative meetings about 2 times a year at the Windmill Lakes Event Center (AKA Overman Pond)- 7377 Overman Rd, Liberty, NC  27298. These are announced in our newsletter, facebook and on our website.  Our meetings are held at our club sponsored shows or at a member’s farm. 

NEWSLETTER

The NCPGC has a newsletter online filled with helpful information such as husbandry articles, club events and show results from around the region.  It’s a great way for our far away and nearby members to keep up with what is happening in our goat club and with the goat keeping community.  All members are encouraged to contribute to our newsletter.

NPGA SANCTIONED SHOWS

Many members enjoy showing their goats. Newbies are very welcome in the show ring; you will find your fellow competitors to be very friendly and helpful. Our shows have classes for both registered and non registered pygmy goats, wethers, does, and bucks, and showmanship classes. The NCPGC hosts two NPGA sanctioned shows a year. They are usually in September and the December Show which includes a holiday Banquet.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

To get more information about our club or to receive a complimentary copy of our newsletter please contact our Newsletter Editor, Lisa Salmi at jlasalmi79@gmail.com

JOIN US

Our activities and shows are fun and rewarding for all members of the family. But the best part of being a member is the friendship and assistance from a great network of fellow pygmy goat enthusiasts. Whether you are just getting started or are an old hand you can rest assured you have a group of friends you can call on when you have questions or just need to brag on your latest new kid! Fill out and send in the membership application form on this pamphlet. We look forward to meeting you soon!