Petting Zoos

[zippysmom]

It makes me so sad when I walk by the petting zoo in the mall. I see kids literally throwing rabbits and guinea pigs into the air. I see kids picking up rabbits by the ears (thanks Bugs Bunny) and treating them roughly. It's like the parents and staff are completely blind. I don't know what it is, but either the staff need a raise, or some complaints. The staff give you this attitude like you are stupid or something. They are sitting around moping instead of enjoying the animals or looking after them.

I wish there was something I could do. I acknowledged some of the kids being abusive bet they just roll their eyes . What can I do? I feel awful for the goats, calves, bunnies, ponies, and guinea pigs.

[fashion victim]

This happens in the malls in here around Christmas time, too. They bring in some animals and leave them in a pen with statues of the birth of baby Jesus. The kids will do barbaric things. They want to pet the animals so bad that they'll pull the animals by the fur, their paws, the ears and feathers to get them close enough to pet. I've also seen them throw whatever food they are eating to attract the animals.Other times they'll scream at the animals to get their attention. Sometimes the attendant goes off to the stores to flirt with the employees and can't prevent this rough handling.

I suggest you complain to the mall authorities. I've threathened to inform this treatment to the Humane Society. It's called sociedad protectora de animales in spanish and they brought in another person to watch the animals and set up a permanent security guard near the animal pen. Even so, I get so infuriated with those dumb kids and parents that I'll lose my temper and snap at them and give them dirty looks. It just makes me furious.

[Chantellymarie]

That kind of stuff makes me so sick to my stomach. I hope those people that do that get the wake-up call they deserve!! Those poor animals. If I could I would take them all home with me and spoil them (in a healthy way). When my husband and I get a big enough place, he will even help me do it. He feels the same way as we all do about these poor animals!! Here is much love to all of them!!

[Ly&Pigs]

I believe there is a long thread somewhere around here already on Petting Zoos and Zoos. Why not search for it?