Goats are ruminants that were domesticated thousands of years ago, as is evidenced by their appearance in artworks of ancient Egypt. They provide a wide array of useful commodities for humans, including milk, meat, wool, and skins.

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Although classification systems vary, there are generally eight species of goats recognized, as well as six important domestic breeds. All of these domestic breeds are generally believed to have been developed from the pasang, which was likely a native of Central Asia. Relatively hardy, goats can easily inhabit lands that are considered unsuitable for sheep and cattle. Yet, unlike their popular stereotype, goats cannot survive by eating items such as tin cans and other trash. Their diet should consist of shrubs and grasses.

Goats that are not yet old enough to sexually reproduce are known as kids. These animals, which are usually less than a year in age, are often exploited for their hides, which are marketed as kid leather. Kid leather, which typically appears in black, gray, or white, is heavily utilized in the fabrication of items such as shoes and gloves. However, some kid leather does not actually derive from young goats, but rather from less valuable animals, such as rats.