our goats
Why goats
Goats are smart, funny, eager to learn, and magical. They make amazing therapy animals and have the added bonus of being sustainable. When they aren’t engaging with their human community, they love eating weeds and clearing brush around the city.
our goats
Our goats come from trusted farms, including Amazing Acres, to ensure that they are disease free and their temperaments are suited for engaging with people and each other. They come to us after they are weaned, usually around 3 months old, often as a group of siblings or cousins. They are nurtured and cared for by our team members, supporting them to become comfortable in multiple urban settings with a wide range of visitors and caretakers. Our team members follow a training protocol to teach the goats functional commands both verbally and with hand signals. Each goat has a distinct personality and relationship within our herd and with the humans around them. PGP offers a variety of ways that visitors of all capacities and ages can enjoy and experience this delightful connection.
Ivy is one of the original 3 goats. She is smart, sassy and funny. She is named after her favorite food, poison ivy. She is also the herd leader.
(Goats are matriarchal).
Ivy
Nigerian Dwarf
Bebito is named in honor of Awbury Head Landscaper's nephew, José. José was only 21 years old when he was shot and killed in February of 2018. We remember and honor him through the joy that Bebito, his namesake, continues to bring.
Bebito
Nigerian Dwarf
Anthony is named after abolitionist and educator, Anthony Benezet. Our Anthony is sweet, sensitive, and will always stay close by your side. He is Bebito's fraternal twin and Ivy's half-brother.
Anthony
Nigerian Dwarf
Violet was born deaf but responds to non-verbal cues in American Sign Language and has no problem keeping up with the herd. She is named after Violet Oakley, the first American woman to be commissioned for a public mural. She depicted women as strong bearers of peace and justice. She lived openly with her partner, Edith Emerson for over 40 years.
Violet
Nigerian Dwarf
Clementine is Violet's twin sister! You might recognize Clementine from her interviews on local news channels, or even from QVC, but if you've ever met Clem you would know just how humble she is. She is named after Clementine Cope, one of the founding family members of Awbury Arboretum where the goats live!
Clemintine
Nigerian Dwarf
Pronounced like "oh-nah", Oonagh is a Welsh name. Oonagh and her half-brother, Oliver were both donated to the PGP at age 3. She is equal parts protective and playful. Oonagh made her grand debut as an actress in 2018 when she played Mary's Donkey in a Christmas pageant!
Oonagh
Nigerian & Oberhasli
Oliver was donated to the PGP at age 3. He is a gentle giant with a heart of gold. He loves toddlers and any kind of special attention. He is both stubborn and timid, but despite these challenges he is learning to do amazing things like pull a cart!
Oliver
Nigerian & Saanen
Teddy is named after Teddy Pendergrass - a famous soul singer from Philadelphia known for his booming baritone voice. Like this trailblazing namesake, our Teddy is a natural leader who always finds his way to the front of the pack. He is very fond of Christmas trees!
Teddy
Nubian
Raymond, or "Ray", is calm, cuddly, and always by your side. He is named in honor of Raymond Pace Alexander, a lawyer who became president of the National Bar Association and the first Black judge to be appointed to the Common Pleas Court. Pace was a graduate of Philadelphia's own Central High School.
Ray
Nubian
Kiyoshi is named after Japanese American anti-war and civil rights activist, Kiyoshi Kuromiya. Kuromiya worked in Philly to establish the Gay Liberation Front and wrote the first standards of care for patients living with HIV and AIDS. By speaking his name we hope to honor his commitment to intersectional activism.
Kiyoshi
Nubian
Baby Joy is only a few months old but she has already stolen our hearts. She is named after one of our core principles at the Philly Goat Project; to spark joy wherever we can. We hope that her name will remind us of our mission and inspire joy in all that we do.
Joy
Nubian
Theo is loyal, gentle, and very cuddly. He is named after not one but two famous inventors from Philadelphia: Theophilus Van Kannel, inventor of the revolving door, and Theodore W. Richards, who won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of atomic weights!
Theo
Nubian
Holiday is a quick learner! Her tail always wiggles when she is learning a new trick. She is named after the famous Philadelphia jazz vocalist, Billie Holiday, also known as "Lady Day", Holiday was an improvisational genius whose music rests firmly in the heart of American history and storytelling.
Holiday
Nubian
Philly Goat Project goats live in Germantown, so it is only fair we name one of them after Abraham op den Graeff, the founder of Germantown. op den Graeff came from a Mennonite family of textile workers and was a highly acclaimed weaver. He was a civic leader and was among the Quakers who signed the first organized religious protest against slavery.
Abe 2019-2021
Nubian
Annie was an affectionate peacemaker who was deeply loved by all. She was named after Ann Preston, who became dean of the Philadelphia Female Medical College. Preston led the first boycott of goods made by enslaved people, which helped demonstrate ways for all citizens to support social justice.