Petting Zoo

Aberdeen-Malcolm Blue Farm and Museum- Bethesda Road -910-9447558-Honeyhill Farm-Barnyard petting Farm and Pony rides- (910)[email protected]

Brevard-Nevermore Farms-828-877-5332.-pot bellied pigs,-fancy chickens , Angora goats rare Belgian Laekenois,[email protected]

Charlotte-Zippity Zoo[email protected]

Bringing the Zoo to your Party, School, Church- ferret, potbelly pig, hedgehog, reptiles, birds, etc  Serving the Charlotte area, western North Carolina, and upstate South Carolina

1-10-04

Midland – Sunshine Acres Petting Farm- 704-888-2081- Bringing our friendly farm animals to you! – [email protected]

Mt. Ulla,-Gander Hill Farm-Miniature Horses. llamas, lots of [email protected]

Rocky Point -(just north of Wilmington)- The Farmers Wife 10121 Highway 210 910-675-0829 -Fun, friendly animals brought to your next birthday party or special [email protected]

Wake Forest-zoo fauna-Tel: (919) 562-8896-Visit our new exhibit areas-group [email protected]

Whispering Pines – Honeyhill Farm Barnyard petting Farm and Pony rides-at the Malcolm Blue Farm.- (910) [email protected]

Winston-Salem- Kiddie Critters -2721 Brightwood Ct.- (336) 785-9726 -We bring the zoo to [email protected]

Cathay, – Diamond Llama Ranch -13 miles east of Fessenden on ND Hwy 15- Petting Zoo & Gift s, Mini Horses,[email protected]

Brunswick Hills – Spring Mist Farms – (330) 225-3565 – A special Halloween treat for children -Hay [email protected]

Jackson-NOAH’S ARK ANIMAL FARM-McGiffins Road – 1-800-282-2167 Over 150 Exotic Animals and [email protected]

Pataskala,- ThreeWillows- 5437 Columbia Road SW -specializes in Angora Goats – Doll Makers -Weavers – [email protected]

Chandler- Read Ranch-(405) 258-2999- trail rides, hayrides and a petting zoo.-“The best of the old west”[email protected]

Canby, -Flower Farmer–Phoenix & Holly Railroad-2512 North Holly Street-Friendly small [email protected]

Eagle Creek- Solornfarms – 23255 SE Dowty RD -Solorn farms is a place to get away in the country. We are at 23255 SE Dowty Rd. Eagle Creek, OR. We offer many domestic & wild animals,a nature walk ending up in a campfire area, craft classes, gardening classes and U-cut Christmas [email protected]

Oregon City,- Stonyridge Alpacas – 14988 S. Spangler Rd-(503) 632-6640 – Friendly alpacas for friendly people. Please call to arrange your visit [email protected]

Salem – Oregon Ag Fest-Fairgrounds- Sheep shearing,pony rides-Llama [email protected]

Stayton,- Oregon Gateway Farm Alpacas -1239 Park Rd -An Oregon alpaca farm welcoming visitors. Please call [email protected]

ADAMSTOWN  Animal Ambassadors2145 Old Lancaster Pike1-888-PetMobileToll Free1-7-04

Traveling Petting Zoo

Our zoo is presented in an enclosed area with portable fencing. . The indoor zoo provides a covering for carpeted or wood floors.All programs are insured and cleanup is always included.[email protected]

School Programs

Dalton-Roba’s Tree Farm -RR 1-Decker Road -717-563-2904-Pumpkins-Christmas trees -Indian [email protected]

Mount Joy- ROCKY ACRE FARM BED & BREAKFAST- Pinkerton Rd.- Dairy farm.petting [email protected]

Mount Pocono-Joy Haven Petting Zoo -Grange Road – A”Family Friendly” petting zoo, pony rides and party [email protected]

Perkiomenville – What-Knott Farm -215-234-8281 traveling petting zoo, now offering 4 events for your special events – [email protected]

Philadelphia -LawsonLand Farm – 215-953-0547- We bring the zoo to you. Fairs, Birthdays, Schools [email protected]

Penns Park-Peaceable Kingdom Petting Zoo and Pony Rides- We will come to you for any occasion . Nothing is too small or too big. We are located in Bucks County PA. We are fully insured and licensed. Please call -215-598-8775 [email protected]

Ronks, – Cherry-Crest Farm -150 Cherry Hill Road -(717) 687-6844 -Solve The Amazing Maize [email protected]

South Jersey-mary i entertainment agency-(also in N.J. & De)-mobil petting zoo & other children’s [email protected]

University Park, – Insect Petting Zoo – The Pennsylvania State University – 814-865-1895

Another successful Insect Fair was held on Saturday, September 23, with over 4,700 in attendance Next year’s Great Insect Fair is scheduled for September 29, 2001! Hope you can be there!!! . .

Charleston, Carrousels & Castles – 872 Fort Johnson Rd.-petting zoo, festivals, fairs -inflatable rides, clowns, face [email protected]

Charleston,-Magnolia Plantation-3550 Ashley River Road- 1-800-367-3517-petting zoo. tours, [email protected]

ColumbiaVISIT TO THE FARMUniversity of South Carolina

ATTENTION TEACHERSPreparation for a field trip to a local petting zoo. The target audience is 15 third and fourth [email protected],

Irvine-VISIT TO THE FARM University of South Carolina-An interesting article about petting zoos

LANCASTER- EARTH ANGELS PETTING ZOO-2001 SUNNY LA.-horse & pony rides- barnyard buddies-Picnic [email protected]

Myrtle Beach-Waccatee Zoological Farm-8500 Enterprise Rd.-(803)650-8500-A place for animal lovers of all [email protected]

Chattanooga.-Warner Park Zoo -(423) 697-9722[email protected]

The white-tailed deer and prairie dogs moved into their new homes in 1999. The exhibit, employs a railroad theme and is complete with bridge, pond and train crossing signs. A beautiful log cabin is used for Admissions, a Gift Shop , and a conference area

Clinton-Little Ponderosa Pony Rides and Petting Zoo- 629 Granite Road-(865)457-5536-“We feature a large heated barn that looks as though it was taken from a children’s book”

Come visit the animals in our storybook barn, or ,we will come to you[email protected]

MEMPHISHAPPY TIMES FARM TRAVELING PETTING ZOO

Petting zoos, train rides, fire truck rides, pony rides, mini-train merry-go-round ride. [email protected]

We travel within a 200 mile radius of Memphis. Available for birthday parties, company picnics, festivals and special events. Serving the North Mississippi, West Tennessee and East Arkansas communities.

Morrison, -Tic Tac Farm Petting Zoo – 310 Nicholas Street -mobile petting zoo ready to set up at your [email protected]

Sevierville (Gatlinburg area),-Camelot Bed & Breakfast- -2659 Boyd’s Creek Highway -Guests enjoy the small petting [email protected]

Sevierville-Douglas Lake View Stables

Visit us on the beautiful scenic shoreline of Douglas Lake, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains,Live Entertainment — Country, Western, Gospel, Hayrides, Campfires, and Moonlight Rides. Watch the eagles soar

Petting Zoo-Hay Rides -Hot Dog Roasts[email protected]

Amarillo- A Pony For Your Thoughts-11955 S Western St-Mobil Pony rides, cart rides [email protected]

Aransas Pass-Ponies from Heaven 1705 Rhodes Ave. Pony rides, petting zoo ,facepainting. Corpus Christi and Coastal Bend [email protected]

Austin – Amy’s Pony Rides -Mobile pony parties, pony rides and horseback riding lessons for [email protected]

Austin Area- PONY EXPRESS PONY RIDES-210- 887-6406 -Free Cowboy Hat For The Birthday Child–[email protected]

Dallas-Fort Worth-Funny Business-Best Prices in the metroplex-USDA inspected and insured.Also Clowns-face [email protected]

Dallas / Fort Worth – Rockin C Kritter Korral -Featuring HOBO the monkey, Camel-pony rides-exotic Petting Zoo & hay [email protected]

DICKINSON, LOLLIPOPS & LICORICE- 1820 WINDSWEPT – SERVING E. TX, – FRIENDLY [email protected]

Galveston / Houston-, Mary’s Animal Parties – Mobil pony rides & petting zoo for your birthday party or special event. – [email protected]

***Houston area – Jireh Farm Petting Zoo -936-856-9441 – Travelling zoo serving Montgomery County and surrounding areas featuring Davy Jones the Monkey!, Pony rides and a pony carousel,- For all events, Picnics-Schools, County Fairs . etc. [email protected] –

Houston- Sweetie Pies Mobil Petting Zoo 7155 Cemetery Rd -.donkey rides, llama, goats-Jingles the Clown- [email protected]

Houston, Petting Zoo Parties- 4514 East OST Dr. – Loveable, Gentle Animals – Brought to your [email protected]

Irving,-Fritz Park Petting Farm-312 E. Vilbig- (972) 721-2640.

Children are welcome with their schools, their parents and their grandparents. Observe eggs hatching -enter the Little Red School House-see the Aviary houses

Linden – Colley Creek Farm -Rt. 2 Box 76 A, Hicks Harvey Rd, – Country themed petting zoo – Party [email protected]

Mansfield -Country Critters Farm Petting Zoo and Ponies- P.O.box 1205 – PH.817-477-3060-OPEN YEAR ROUND [email protected]

Manvel-A B C Petting Zoo -Mobile petting zoo-281-489-7621 -birthday parties-schools-special [email protected]

New Caney- Marsha’s Petting Zoo – 281-399-1714 – Gentle animals brought to you- Buggy & Hay Rides, Pony [email protected]

Pearland-Pony Pony Party Planners of Pearland -4903 Pecan Grove Dr-281-997-2214 -Ponies and mobile petting zoo! Serving the greater Houston [email protected]

Plano- FAIRVIEW FARMS-Mobile Petting Zoo-Have Barnyard Buddies at your next party-(972) 633-9779 [email protected]

SAN ANTONIO AND AUSTIN AREA.-PONY EXPRESS PONY RIDES-210-887-6406-FREE COWBOY HAT FOR THE BIRTHDAY [email protected]

SIMONTON – WIGGLES AND GIGGLES 10125 FM 1489 –281 346 1087 – birthday parties- petting zoo -ponyrides – [email protected]

Waring, Greater San Antonio & Austin Area- PONY EXPRESS PONY RIDES-210- 887-6406 -Free Cowboy Hat For The Birthday Child [email protected]

Willis,-(Greater Houston area )- Jireh Farm Petting Zoo, 14477 Hasara Lane- 936-856-9441 – Travelling zoo featuring Pony [email protected]

Highgate Springs – The Tyler Place Family Resort- Old Dock Road – 802-868-4000 family vacation specialists- includes activities for even [email protected]

Wilmington. Adams Farm– Mount Snow region-“Haunted” Hay Rides -Yarn spinning and draft horse [email protected]

Leesburg-Leesburg Animal Park -19270 James Monroe Highway (703)433-0002 – friendly animals- Pony and wagon rides –[email protected]

Luray – Luray Reptile Center- 1087 US Hwy 211 West – School Groups – tropical birds -petting [email protected]

Pungoteague, (Eastern Shore) Myers Ranch- (757) 442-5617 – Petting Zoo and Pony Ride Parties .Your site or our [email protected]

Vienna -Reston Zoo -1228 Hunter Mill Road -703-757-6222 -Huge petting barn. Bottle-feed baby animals. Pony rides. Camels, [email protected]

Darrington-Haydens Ark Petting Zoo -41140 SR 530 N.E. (360) 436-0192 -Free petting zoo . enjoy the day in the Country -bring your [email protected]

Snohomish -The Farm -7301 Rivershore Road – 425.334.4124-featuring various baby farm animals to hold and [email protected]

Bristol, -Buggy Whip Farm Traveling Petting Zoo and Pony Rides 21801 107 Street – 262-862-7237 – [email protected]

Fond du Lac-The Little Farmer-Highway 151-Hayrides, a playground, and a petting zoo -OPEN IN [email protected]

Franksville-Swan’s Pumpkin Farm- 414-835-4885-Hayrides-Company [email protected]

Grafton – The Family Farm -328 Port Washington Road -262-377-6161 -Mid-May through October 28- Turn of the century farn [email protected]

Horicon-Horicon Marsh Wildlife-A wildlife/bird sanctuary with all year round attractions for the bird lover. Not a petting zoo

Kenosha-Wadsworth- Ill. PATCH22 PONY RIDES & HAY RIDES -(847) 336-0120-Traveling Petting Zoo-Horse drawn hay rides-party barn [email protected]

LaFarge-R Farm Outback Ranch and Riding Stable–608-625-2268-, petting zoo -birthday parties –pony rides- evening [email protected]

Stoughton.-Eugsters Petting Farm – 3865 Highway 138-(608) 873-3822.-animals of all types can be touched or [email protected]

Wausau,Wisconsin Sunshine Acres Game Farm and Zoo -6107 Granite Road (715) 845-5162 , Deer and other wildlife ,playground, picnic area, birthday partys [email protected]

Wisconsin Dells-OK Corral Riding Stable-Highway 16 E.- 1-800-254-2811 -baby horses, sheep, pygmy goats, emus, bunnies – FREE petting [email protected]

– extensive nature trails with access to mountains and a stream;
– guided night zoo tours with the sounds and mystery of the area;
– close yet safe encounters with Zoo residents including bear, cougar, deer, and much more;
– a petting zoo for children with a wide variety of small animals and birds;
– a “dances with wolves” display;
– a moonlite hayride;
– feeding time at the zoo
– campfire (bring your guitars)
– refreshments available

.discounted admission charge,
. hayrides
. hands-on with petting zoo animals;
. snake handling display.
. dances with wolves display,
. meeting new residents (Yuma- the puma, coyote pups, other newborns, . quided tour of .wildlife exhibits,
. group discussion with questions and answers.

As a new feature prizes will be awarded for the best animal or bird artwork. To participate the class has to visit the Zoo and their artwork must represent some animal or bird observed during their visit. The prizes will be on display when school visits commence in the spring.

2.”Puff” our naughtiest llama, was a winner on America\\’s Funniest Video. A Zoo visitor won with her video of the “spitting” llama.

3.We do rescue missions at the request of the SPCA for abandoned, injured or escaped critters

4.We place high priority on safety and security for visitors as well as resident animals.

5.We maintain close ties with veterinarians, govt agencies, and other zoos, and animal/bird rehabilitation centres.

6.Spruce Haven Petting and Wildlife Zoo was started by Helen Marshall and is a labour of love. It is a non-profit enterprise supported by admision charges as well as other family businesses

WHERE WE ARE: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario is on the Michigan border and is accessed via the St Mary\\’s River bridge which links us with our sister city Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. (on the extreme north end of the I-75 highway). We are located in scenic countryside, just off hwy 550 west, on the marked route to the airport. Travel info is available just after a right turn after crossing the bridge.

 

Developing a classy petting zoo area will complement the business ventures you have on your small acreage.If you are into such things as , raising chickens, trying to make a living by cultivating row crops or operating a roadside vegetable stand, a petting zoo is a natural diversification. For the past twenty (20) years I operated an orchard, cide rmill, and petting zoo in Michigan. I recently visited over 50 petting zoos in ten states. Some were classics, attracting thousands of visitors each week .Others however were not very impressive. The classic ones were usually funded by municipalities or large corporations who could afford to spend considerable amounts in the construction and maintenace of the exhibits. It occurred to me that many of the attractions found in these fine petting zoos, could be adapted to farm settings, at very reasonable cost, and sometimes at no out of pocket expense at all.

So, this is the purpose of the tutorial. If you are of a mind to establish a petting zoo along classy lines, complementd by an attractive play area or nature trail, I would like to help. You don’t need to start out big. Even on a very limited budget, there are ways you can start small, and best of all ,probably use some resources you already have on the farm, but have not recognized their value in starting a petting zoo. If the above makes sense, read on, then give me a call. I am available for consultation .The consultation will cover the following topics, and other concerns you may have.

SCHOOL TOURS

Before we discuss the makeup of a classy petting farm and playground area, I want to call to your attention the importance of School Tours. School tours are a major source of income for many successful farm markets. Some farm markets have a good many school tours , pulling in 200-500 children in a single day, plus their teachers and an adult parent for every 4-5 children. At $3-5 per person, plus what the adults (and children) spend in the store, this can amount to quite a nice positive cash flow. And since tours usually occur during the week days, this is extra income that you wouldn’t ordinarily get.

The picture at the left shows a small group on a school tour being led to a milking stand where the goat will be milked by the children.It’s a lot of fun, and different.

I will be very happy to discuss with you some innovative ways to attract school tours . School tours do not need to be a duplicate of what other markets are doing. In fact I advise against it. Sure, there will be some things that of necessity will be the same. But there are innovative things to do that will set your farm market apart from the rest.

How would you use an old pump, old fashioned corn sheller, and antique farm equiptment at your petting zoo? All of these have possibilities for use on the school tours at your farm. Write me an e-mail and let me know how you would use them. We can discuss.

A classy petting zoo will have generous sized corrals and attractive shelters. Allow at least 12′ between corrals so week end crowds can have plenty of room. Mowing will be easier. Rough sawn lumber always looks great for the corrals . The animals will be accessible,through the boards, which is what you want. Other materials can also be used, such as cyclone fencing and chicken wire, depending on the kinds of animals that will be in the exhibit, and whether or not you want those animals to be accessible for petting, or just to look at.

The exhibit area itself should always be free of debris and clutter, and especially free of manure and rain run off. Look at your exhibits through your customers eyes and try to make your exhibits as aesthetically pleasing as possible.

The above, of course, does not address small children’s petting areas where children actually get in the same pen with a variety of animals. These too are nice and can be a very effective attraction at farm markets.One cannot help but be impressed with the fine travelling petting zoos seen at county fairs with friendly attendants , colorful canopies, and attractive well cared for animals. It is these qualities that farm marketers will want to emulate in their permanent petting zoos.

Make your peting zoo diffrent from others by planting some trees and shrubs around the corrals and throughout the petting zoo grounds. The Soil Conservation District for your area usually has spring sales of trees. Saplings are inexpensive and they grow fast. Raised flower beds look great with a perimeter of field stones.Share your bulbs, roots, and cuttings with others. It’s a friendly thing to do and will peg you in the eyes of your customers as a generous person, and they will respond in kind.

Those of you who like the beauty of Four o’clocks can send for a free packet of seeds to PETTING ZOO DIRECTORY, 3125 E. Broadmoor, Lansing, Mi. 48906. Enclose a S.A.S.E.

If you would like your petting zoo landscaping to be featured on this page, please e-mail me a photo, or send it to the above address. The Childrens Petting Zoo in Saginaw Michigan has extensive, but small plantings of flower beds whose care and beauty are maintained by civic organization volunteers.

The Childrens Garden at Michigan State University is a must see for all families with children. It’s free, except for parking, and is worth going out of your way to visit. It will inspire you and give you ideas on how to improve the looks of your petting zoo.

Another example of pleasing petting zoo landscaping can be found at the Saginaw Childrens Petting Zoo in Saginaw, Michigan. Parents love to bring their children here where the animals are shown in attractive settings, not found at other places.

Goats are the friendliest of petting zoo animals. Children and parents love them. If you can, plan to design your petting zoo around a grouping of goat attractions, such as a goat skywalk, a goat milking stand where children can milk a nanny, and a small cart hitched to a goat where children can have their pictures taken..Have plenty of coin operated feed machines handy. You will need them

The photo on the left shows Andrew Worgul milking a nanny. Strolling geese are in the background. I never had more than three geese at a time at my petting zoo. This way their droppings were never a problem, since they preferred to stay at a distance from humans. But even at a distance, they looked good to the eyes of the visitors and were a favorable attraction to the petting zoo.

Some goats are easier to milk than others.Kicking goats are not much fun, so you will want to find one that is gentle and is not disturbed by crowds of people. Some breeds of goats are better milkers than others. If you have a problem goat, talk it over with the cooperative extension agent in your county, or a veterinarian There may be a simple solution

Noisy, braying donkeys are an asset to any petting zoo. They are friendly, and love to be petted. Be sure to clean out their corral every day. But never feed donkeys at a farm petting zoo by hand, cute as this may be. Donkeys will bite if they get used to being fed out of hand- and then are denied food when they come up to a person expecting to be fed. Feed donkeys only in hay racks and grain containers.

Donkeys like to have companions, so it is all the better if you have at least two at your petting zoo. Cooperative Extension and the WWW will have information on the care of donkeys, especially overeating and hoof trimming.

Photo is of “Nicky and Nacho” stabled at the the ASS-PIRIN ACRES where quality donkeys are sold

And what about “bees”? Observation hives are very nice, but there are at least three other things that can be done with a “bee hive” focus that will entertain and educate your customers amd help bring school tours to your farm market.

One year I had a group of about 15 delinquent boys from a nearby training school come for a tour of the cider mill and petting zoo, accompanied, of course, by training school staff. They liked the “bee seminar “best of all. What did we do? They looked for the queen, and were fascinated in knowing a drone had a grandfather but no father!! They saw me in my bee suit , saw the smoker smoke, and actually felt an empty honey comb. They then made a beeswax candle from colored beeswax foundation. And lastly, they were each given a taste of comb honey with the wax in it. We did this for all school tours. It’s worth it. Not very expensive. And teachers and parents think it’s great.

These animals add a certain valuable color to the petting zoo area. True, they aren’t pettable, since they don’t readily come up to people. But they look good if even at a distance. Turkeys, however can be friendly. I don’t think white ones look very good. But if you are fortunate enough to have the Presidents Thanksgiving day turkey donated to your petting zoo, take it and publicize it for all it’s worth. I much prefer Toms ( Bronze or Royal Palm ) Have a nice attractive shelter for them. Hopefully, you will let them roam the petting zoo area . Mine always liked to follow the school tour children.

These animals are cute as the dickens, but they don’t stay small very long Little calves will get scours if you over feed them, and that is what will likely happen at a petting zoo. So you have to watch out for this.The calf pen will have to be cleaned daily and should be of an extra generous size with a grazing area. You will want to get replacement calves and lambs each year, so you will always have small animals.

Children love small baby lambs, especially if they are born at the petting zoo. Have several of them if you can. They gradually lose their cuddly appeal as they get older, but they are nice to have never-the-less.

We all know that animals have to have a lot of fresh water and adequate feed. Families want to see animals in a nice pasture or at least in a corral that is neat and clean.

A well thought out petting zoo will help you avoid problems associated with animal care.But even with the best of care, animals get sick and sometimes injured in some way. Do not keep a sick, injured or crippled animal in your petting zoo. It will turn customers away. It’s best to keep animals that are “off their feed” in a separate area, apart from the customers until they are better.

All petting zoo operators are encouraged to become familiar with CREATURES CORNER NEWS. This monthly contains articles by veterinarians, breeders, farriers, and suppliers of animal care products that are timely and interesting – a must for those who love animals. The March 2000 cover features a foal named “KC”, a regitered Morgan Colt born in Arlington Vermont. When the picture was taken he was only three months old.

A classy petting zoo area should have a number of inexpensive attractions. These can be in the forn of statuary, educational signs, or perhaps a pergola. One popular attraction I saw at the Childrens Farmstead in Overland Park, Ks. was a simple hand pump that the children could pump water with, Another one was an Indian Weather Rock. Eduacational Signs are great. In future revisions of this page, I will feature some of them.

A classy petting zoo is a community jewel. It will bring additional customers to your farm market and be a source of additional revenue. People will be interested in ” What’s going on at the zoo?” The local newspapers and shopping guides will run photos and stories of new exhibits and personnel if these stories are well done. The CALEBMOBILE, shown at the left was made out of Dodge van and used in parades as well as to pull the orchard hay wagon. It was a lot of fun. A good deal of free publicity resulted. The one shown could hold a four piece band or a gaggle of clowns.

Late winter and early spring is a good time to check with local communities on parade dates and how you can enter your parade unit. A pair of nicely groomed llamas with red checkered neck bandanas strolling in the parade with their owner is a fine entry.

FREE*** Four O’Clock seeds***FREE

To beautify your petting zoo or houehold landscaping. Send a S.A.S.E. to Bob Worgul, 3125 E. Broadmoor, Lansing, Mi. 48906. You will be sent enough seeds to plant a 10″ row. More upon request.