DEAR SUN SPOTS: I live in Auburn with a pretty typical Lewiston-Auburn lawn (kind of like a downtrodden San Francisco). For seven summers, I have attempted to groom my mountainous lawn, resorting to everything from ropes on mowers with the safety bail precariously zip tied together, to weed-whacking in soccer cleats.

Next spring, I would like to try a natural method that in all likelihood will not land me in CMMC. I was wondering if it was legal to own pygmy goats within city limits. I mean, they’re just like freaky-eyed dogs, right? Honestly, the eye thing does weird me out a little, but they are cute in an odd sort of way. — Doug via email

ANSWER: For an answer to this question, Sun Spots began where she always begins with any Auburn-related query: with Tracy Pinkham, information assistant in Public Works. Tracy is kind enough to direct Sun Spots to the correct person for her questions. In this case it was Eric Cousens, director of planning and permitting, who answered:

“In Auburn and many other communities, goats are classified as farm animals and considered differently than household pets like dogs or cats.

“The keeping of farm animals is allowed in Auburn’s more rural zones like the agriculture and resource protection, low-density country residential and rural residential zoning districts. They are also allowed in our industrial zoning districts. Overall, they are allowed in more than 50 percent of the city but not in the more urban areas.

“If someone would like to keep farm animals, they should check the zoning classification of their property online or ask the Planning and Permitting Office if it is allowed at their property.”

You can read find your zone at http://auburnmaine.org/Pages/Government/City-of-Auburn-WebGIS.

Even if you are allowed to have a goat, don’t count on it keeping your grass nicely trimmed. Sun Spots has a goat, and Petey (who is adorable — even his eyes) spends a lot more time eating leaves, flowers, hostas and tall weeds than he does grass. The horse takes care of the grass.

Sheep and cows will also graze your grass. Mr. Sun Spots wanted to get an alpaca after he saw how evenly they trimmed the grass in their pen, but you can’t ride an alpaca or a cow or a sheep. Actually, Sun Spots’ horse doesn’t want to be ridden either, but that’s beside the point.

Sun Spots didn’t have your address, so she doesn’t know if you qualify for goat-keeping, but if it’s no-go, you might try switching from grass to ground covers. You can get different varieties for different conditions, such as sunny vs. shady and wet vs. dry. And once you get done with the hard work of planting them, you’ll never have to mow again.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: As some of the readers may know, I do animal shows for all ages and events using animals I have rehabilitated. I am considering opening up a facility in the Lewiston-Auburn area to host birthday parties, fundraisers and other events, and I am seeking public opinion.

My idea is to make a hands-on natural history museum/facility that would contain living exhibits, more than 300 minerals, crystals, fossils, shells, preserved specimens, an in house reference library, as well as, the animals that I work with. I would provide birthday package deals to host live animal birthday parties, mining adventures where the children could mine for crystals, etc.

It could be opened up to school field trips, Scouts, church and youth groups, and just for inexpensive family entertainment.

Now I ask two questions:

1. Is this something that people in this area would consider visiting?

2. Does anyone have the aforementioned items they would be willing to donate to this effort?

You can email me at mr.drewsanimals2@yahoo.com. Thank you all in advance. — Drew Desjardins of “Mr. Drew and His Animals Too!”

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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