The Goat Process…

I have received some emails and comments from people who are curious as to how exactly the goat process works. I would like to do my best and summarize what happens after you click “purchase.”

Upon finding out that you can donate a goat for just $34.50, the first thing you might wonder is, “I’m no goat expert, but is $34.50 the going rate for a goat these days?” Well, after browsing Craigslist to see how much I could buy a goat for here in Vancouver, I found that prices ranged from $50 – $400 for a goat. The $400 goat must be the Ferrari of goats and come fully loaded. 2 horns, rear tail, 4 legs and all the other features. Maybe it’s even potty trained? Anyways, the Goat For Gold goats are purchased through the organization CRWRC. Judging by local goat prices, you will be happy to know that the goats are not purchased here and then shipped to Africa. Could you imagine the cost of stamps and shipping it would take to send a live goat to Africa? Not to mention the security threat of traveling with 2 horns. The goats are purchased in Africa, for Africa and are purchased as locally as possible. This way the money goes back into the local economy of a developing country. This also ensures that the breed of goat is well suited to the specific environment where it will live. The $34.50 also goes to having the goats vaccinated.  Usually people from the CRWRC train people in the needy communities to help with the vaccination process.  This equips them to do goat vaccination of goat offspring, etc. in the future. Local people are also trained to administer the program.  They help with the goat distribution and coordinate things like rotating male goats around for breeding, and facilitating the “pay back” program where people give a baby goat to another family in need. This, again, builds up local leadership and equips the program to continue after the CRWRC has gone. There is a careful selection process that helps determine who receives the goats.  The local community helps to identify the families most in need.  Those families must agree to build a shelter for their goat and attend training in animal care.  They also agree to abide by they “pay back” structure.  After that, they can receive a goat.

I hope this helps to clarify the process and answer any questions people had. After reading this information I also hope it is clear how solid the program is. There is much more to it then just handing needy people a goat and letting them figure out the rest. The way the program is run makes for a very sustainable and beneficial goat for those who need it. The “pay back” program is a very cool feature of the program. The goats truly are the gift that keeps on giving. And hopefully with the vaccinations they are the gift that keeps on living.