Registering and tagging goats

[Kaf]

We have decided to buy some goats and according to the information we have, all goats must be registered and tagged even if you just keep one or two. If not, you risk having the animals seized and put down as well as receiving a fine.

However, we have answered 2 ads for goats, none of which have been tagged and I have also seen loads of small ads online showing pics of untagged goats.

Can anyone clarify the situation on this please? I know that you cannot advertise cats or dogs without tatto details so surely it should be the same for other animals that need to be identified?

Also can anyone advise what is the exact procedure for getting a goat registered?

We do not want to buy an un-registered animal and then find ourselves bogged down in bureaucracy and exorbitant fees of one sort or another, but we also do not want to upset our dairy farmer neighbour by having unregistered animals

Thanks in advance

[Patricia]

Yes, strictly speaking all goats should be registered and tagged.  Similarly you are not supposed to transport the animals without the necessary papers.  However, it does go on.  If you do buy untagged goats you can make an application to the GDMA in your area to get registered and receive a cheptel number and then register and tag the goats.  The cost is not a lot - around €20 for Cheptel number and lesser amounts for the tags etc.  If you wish to sell any surplus milk you have, then you need to have the goats blood tested for brucellosis.  If an animal needs to go to the abbattoir then it has to be tagged.

We went this route (having purchased and transported untagged goats)  without any problems.  We have a vet that deals with large animals and he helped us through the process.

Hope this helps.

Regards - Patricia

[Kaf]

Hi Patricia

Many thanks for that; doesn't sound too difficult, especially as we don't want to sell milk

Karen