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I went to a petting zoo when I was maybe five or six. I pet chickens, cows, pigs and had a great time. Then I went to lunch with my Nana. When we were ordering food it finally clicked. Chicken on the menu was the cute live chicken I just pet at the petting zoo. I asked my Nana if "chicken" was actually the animal chicken. She said "yes." She also told me that hamburgers were cows and hotdogs were pigs. I was soooooo grossed out. I said I didn't want to eat my friends. She was fine with that so I ate rice and beans which is what we ate at home. Eventually I learned about eggs and didn't want those either. Same with milk.
I also support humane and legal farm sanctuaries. The thing about farm sanctuaries is you are basically preaching to the choir unless it's a school field trip. People who go to farm sanctuaries are generally already vegan. You aren't necessarily educating non-vegans who most need the exposure and education. Petting zoos are at fairs, events, road sides, farmers markets where families have easy access. They're generally also free. You just pay for animal feed. Most farm sanctuaries are on agriculturally zoned land far out of cities and towns. I personally think a farm sanctuary should offer petting zoos to some major county fairs. They'd get more exposure and more animals can be saved or at least treated better.
When children are with animals including farm animals they learn respect, compassion and empathy for animals. If they pet or brush them, they learn to care for and about them. Children experience sensory development, motor skills development, language development and learn social skills. There is a lot of research which shows the benefits of animals for children. All of these benefits also benefit animals because children end up caring more about them.
I don't support illegal inhumane unpermitted petting zoos. You need a USDA exhibit permit for a petting zoo. You also need a city and county permit from animal control. There are regulations no matter what lies an ill informed activist tells you. There are USDA and other animal regulations that cover petting zoo and animals. They are covered by federal, state and local animal abuse, neglect, and cruelty statutes.
Petting zoo animals are not for consumption. They are not food animals because they most likely have received medications over their life span. They will also be injected with euthanasia drugs when they are dying which makes it illegal to use them for food. Animals must be cared for legally and properly. I want children and others to see healthy farm animals who are well cared for and treated. I want people to realize they are living, breathing, sentient beings and not just fried chicken, hamburgers and hotdogs.
A humane petting zoo or farm sanctuary limits the number of children in the pen at one time. They also limit the time each animal is in the pen. Some animals love being pet and some don't. Clearly they should only use animals that enjoy it. That's why there are mainly goats and sheep. Bunnies are too sensitive and shouldn't be in petting zoos. Chickens could be in another pen with more protection. There must be sun protection and protection from heat, cold, rain, weather. There must be adequate food and water available.
There should be proper hand washing stations and instructions so zoonotic diseases aren't spread. That is the law which is generally enforced by the State Agricultural Department and County Health Departments. If the zoo is at a fair, there are other regulations. If it's in a farmer's market, there are even more regulations. If they sell food in the area, there are even more regulations. There are generally a few people inside the pen to enforce all the regulations.
Petting zoos have their own regulations such as no picking up animals, no chasing, no pulling, no hitting, no riding, no running, no screaming... Parents must be in there with their children. Children under certain ages aren't allowed for health reasons. No food or drink in the pen except the animal feed. No smoking, toys, pacifiers, strollers, baby bottles, weapons, alcohol... No touching the animals food or water. The zookeepers don't want their animals stressed or harmed. It's their business and they generally really care about their animal if it's a humane zoo.
Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.
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