The Flock Down: Mini Cows, Sheep, and Goats: The High-Maintenance, High-Tech Pets Taking Over Backyards and Bottom Lines
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Mini Farm Animals: A Growing Trend in Pet Ownership
When Cassandra Lambert wraps up her workday managing an auto-parts store in Laramie, Wyoming, the 49-year-old is eager to get back home and walk her two pets. Not dogs, though; Lambert is the proud (pet) parent of a pair of pint-sized goats.
A Growing Interest in Mini Farm Animals
Not dogs, though; Lambert is the proud (pet) parent of a pair of pint-sized goats. “I used to live in Montana when I was a kid and I always wanted to have goats again,” Lambert says. Instead of the full-sized dairy goats on the family farm, though, Lambert opted for two dwarf Norwegian goats, which top out at just a couple of feet in height. Lambert is one of a growing number of Americans looking beyond dogs and cats when they seek out furry companions.
Breeders, Ranchers, and Rescues See a Surge in Demand
Lambert is one of a growing number of Americans looking beyond dogs and cats when they seek out furry companions. Breeders, ranchers, and those who rescue mini farm animals say there’s been a surge of interest in people keeping them for “hobby” farms or as pets. While exact numbers are hard to come by, breeders, ranchers, and rescues say they’re seeing a growing demand for these pint-sized critters.
The Rise of Social Media and the “Cuteness Factor”
TikTok videos, Instagram reels, and other social media posts of people holding or petting cute, pint-sized goats, cows, pigs, and more have turned these miniatures into “designer animals,” says Ronda Webber, owner of Blossom Farm in Ferndale, Washington, a sanctuary for miniature farm animals surrendered by owners.
Little Animals, Big Business
Those cute, cuddly faces can be big business for people who sell them. “Pet cattle are worth whatever price they will bring,” says Donna Grace, founding director and registrar of the Homestead & Miniature Cattle Directory. Mini cows, especially the shaggy-haired miniature Highland cattle that are popular on social media, are on the pricey end of the spectrum, with calves selling for thousands of dollars. Mini horses and ponies can command similarly high prices, while mini pig prices start under $1,000 and small goats, typically the most affordable of the bunch, can be bought for a few hundred dollars.
The Challenges of Caring for Mini Farm Animals
The care and feeding of farm animals can be very different — and sometimes much pricier — than cats or dogs. Vet bills may be comparable for people who live in rural areas with high demand for livestock vets. But people living in suburbia are likely to find it challenging and expensive to find a livestock vet who will come to their house — a necessity for animals that can’t be transported in a crate or the back of a car. Fencing is another expense mini farm animal experts say owners can’t afford to skimp on.
Conclusion
For owners like Lambert, though, the time and money is well worth it. “These are my babies, they’re my pets,” she says.
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