Philly’s iconic goats clear brush, steal hearts, and give us a reason to get outside together.
What we have here is a contradictory Local wildlife feature. For starters, it’s about goats – a domestic animal. And while we’ve had herds here for almost 400 years, they are certainly not native. They’re not even seasonal — everyone knows springtime is for lambs.
But goats have a unique Philly history, a connection to our gritty, working-class roots that’s worth celebrating. Goats are also part of a heart-warming wellness movement that fosters nature, community, and inner peace.
Goats arrived with European settlers, brought to the New World as a cheap, low-maintenance source of food and materials. Unlike other farm animals that needed pens, goats were more or less independent agents that could be set loose and trusted to survive on whatever the landscape provided.
From Horn to Hoof
Back then, they were known as the “poor man’s cow” because one nanny goat could supply enough milk for an average household at a fraction of the cost of cattle. They also provided meat, hides, and even hair for textiles. Their poop was even great fertilizer. Nothing went to waste.
Goats were also experts at foraging Philadelphia’s rocky, hilly terrain, making themselves useful clearing land and keeping paths around a homestead tidy. That appetite for woody overgrowth is still their superpower.
Unlike grass-grazing animals like sheep and cows, goats are browsers, going after vines, shrubs, and all the stubborn, thorny plants that nobody else wants to deal with. They’ll climb, stretch, and contort themselves to reach whatever they can, happily turning a tangled mess into something manageable. They’ll even eat poison ivy. You might say they’re the GOATs of yard maintenance, ha!
In an old city like Philly, they’ve become pretty indispensable for maintaining historic greenspaces. The first local herd showed up in 2009, tackling overgrowth at Bartram’s Garden and invasive species in Wissahickon Valley Park. After several successful seasons, these OGs moved on to greener pastures in Oregon, making way for Philly Goat Project.
Hay there, Neighbor
Founded in 2018 at Awbury Arboretum in Germantown, this herd of hungry herbivores is a community fixture in Northwest Philly. Their goats help take care of public spaces all over the city: parks, landmarks, church yards – wherever their specialized, eco-friendly skills are needed.
Goats get a bad rap for being gruff, but Philly Goat Project’s herd has been hand-raised to be calm and gentle around humans. They’re trained to walk on leads, pull wagons, perform tricks, and follow simple commands, and they take part in educational and therapeutic programs at schools, libraries, and community events.
They’re also open to visitors. It’s free to stop by and watch them at Awbury Farm from dawn to dusk, or you can schedule a visit to spend some time with them. Every goat has its own personality, inviting encounters from playful to meditative.
Cuteness Overload
In nearby Montgomery County, a rescue-driven mission brings the goats to you. Baby goats, no less — in diapers and onesies. Meet-and-greets include cuddling and bottle-feeding, or even yoga, where they scamper up their human partners with the unfettered joy of a genetically sure-footed species.
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You can find events around Philly or visit their Maple Glen farm (about 30 minutes outside the city). All proceeds support the rescue. Warning: well-socialized baby goats are available for adoption and may be too adorable to resist.
Mary can keep her little lamb — goats make more sense here, in our scrappy city known for grit and heart. Since the earliest days of Philadelphia, they helped everyday families get by, providing what they could and asking for very little in return. Today, they’re still doing their part — giving us good reasons to get outside, connect with nature, and spend a little time together.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Philly Goat Project | phillygoatproject.org
At Awbury Farm | 6336 Ardleigh St (Germantown)
@PhillyGoatProject on Facebook and Instagram
All Abilities Ramble | Mon April 11 (12 – 2pm)
A gentle, joyful farm visit for children, teens, and adults with special needs – and their loved ones. Take time to explore, discover, and connect with gentle goats in a calm, supportive environment. FREE (reservation required).
Mother’s Day BYOB Happy Hour | Sat May 9 (5 – 7pm)
Bring mom, aunt, grandma, or any mother figure in your life to meet our 13 lovely goats for a special Mother’s Day Happy Hour! Your ticket supports Philly Goat Project events and programs throughout the year while you enjoy face time with our delightful herd and chance to win original hoof-made art. Ticket includes: Entry to paddock, goat walk, photo booth. Ages 14+ $35
Horse and Goat Yoga | horseandgotyoga.com
@HorseandGoatYoga on Facebook and Instagram
Bah, Sip & Play | Sign up now for snuggle time with baby miniature goats. Yoga and bottle-feeding, too. The stress-relief we didn’t know we needed. Ticket includes glass of beer or wine. Spring schedule, book by the hour:
Well-Crafted Beer Co, Ambler | Sat Apr 4 & May 23 (10am – 1pm)
Lower Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County | Sun May 3 (10am – 1pm)
Uptown Beer Garden, Center City | Sat May 9 (10am to 3pm)
Puddlers Kitchen & Tap, Bridgeport | Sat April 25 & May 16 (10am to 3pm)
Private engagements also available, as well as regular public outreach at the farm.
Philly’s Billy 🙌🐐💝
A small bronze statue of a goat named Billy has occupied the southwest corner of Rittenhouse Square for more than a century. Created by artist Albert Laessle in 1914, Billy was modeled after a family goat, and installed where generations of children could climb all over him. By 2018, all that attention had taken a toll. The original statue was moved indoors for safekeeping, and a replica now stands in its place.
Thoughts? Comments? Please leave them below. If you enjoyed this Local wildlife feature, check out last month’s spotlight on the secret life of rabbits.
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