Really, I can't. We have a lot of work to do on the house and yard, which is going to tie up some money. The neighbors would probably appreciate it if our place looked a little more "cozy cottage" and a little less "baling wire, twine, and duct tape." (Especially because all of the other houses on the road are worth about 3 times what we bought ours for!) The garden is fenced adequately and could hold them now, but we would need something new before I could plant in spring. We'd have to add another pen in the shed. We'd have to rent something to haul them here. We have a baby coming this summer. I don't know if our pet sitter would keep coming if we add anything else. (Actually, that's a positive. I hate going out of town.) My family will have kittens if they hear that we have any more animals. There is a very slim chance that my husband will be put in charge of a store that is an hour or two from our house, which would require moving at some point.

But I really want some. I don't want to buy super-pasteurized lactose free milk that will last months in the fridge for my husband and daughters anymore. I want to have a safe, healthy source of milk if for any reason the baby will need it. I want to be able to make goat cheese, and yogurt, and soap. I want to get up in the morning and milk. I keep checking the ads, and see goats that would be what we need. Nigerian dwarf/nubian crosses and alpines are tempting me.

I hate being reasonable. No goats right now. We are going to do some of the interior remodeling that would help the house sell more quickly if that day comes. We are going to repaint the house and fix the porch. We are going to make the garden and poultry pens and shed look pretty. In the fall, after the baby is settled in and my husband knows what store he is running, we will add more fencing and another pen in the shed. We can buy a pair of bred does during the winter. Next year. But I want them now!

Kayleigh

How bout finding another owner who you could place your goat with and pay feed ect. to them

Then you could have the milk any time you wanted it, and could trade off milking duties with them.
It would dodge any "Bought Raw Milk" issues your state might have.
Alot of people could be under pressure to sell their milkers, just cause they can't do the milking when it needs to be done.

Heck, just some ideas, who knows.
BTW, join your local freecycle group, and post whole your situation as a "wanted" ad

Our local freecycle has a very strong no animal policy. Apparently there have been some members in the past who are involved in some of the local shelters who raised a stink. It has something to do with PA's law about "facilitating the exchange of animals." Nothing to do with animals is allowed on the list.

It would be great if we could find someone to hold goats for us until we were set up, but I can't think of anyone right around here that could do it. We are a little limited by the fact that we only have one car. I've got my husband helping me with some of the things that we need to accomplish at the moment, so at least I feel like I'm making some kind of progress. Thanks for the ideas!

Kayleigh

I would at least post a 3X5 card at local suppliers of feeds and vets offices

OK
you can't get goats right now

...happy?