Animal handling sessions/parties

[Someonesayroadtrip]

I have been toying with the idea of doing this for a few years. I own a fair new animals and I personally love anything to do with animals and have attended such parties etc myself numerous times. I am still at the research side of things, looking at competition (a pet shop that does parties and then places 20/30 miles away), insurances, transport, feasibility, planning the sessions etc.

I don't really have anything to "lose" at attempting it. I have a selection of really tame animals already who are our pets regardless of the success or not of this type of venture. I want an element of education, so many people buy animals without knowing the upkeep or requirements and I want people to be able to experience animals and promote animal welfare, as in some animals are not suitable as pets, which are better for children etc.

I guess I am just looking for feedback on what things people like or don't like in sessions/parties they have attended, as well as how they would imagine it would work? What animals/creatures/birds were or are your favourites and if you would be likely to book something like this?

I've booked this for a large event.

I met some hostility from vegans who feel that this is an abuse of animals.

So I'm now not sure- I think there tends to need to be quite a high turnover of animals- they need to be rested which suggests it is stressful for them. That leads to over breeding/stocking of animals.

We bought two mice from a petting farm- they have to sell the mice on regularly so that they only have a short 'working' life.

Thanks for your response.

I was thinking more one off parties, it wouldn't be a full time thing, just an occasional party as I just like doing it, so I'm not expecting it to be too much for the animals. I have more than one of some types of animal I.e, snakes for example as they can't be handled for a few days after feeding (and ideally before) so that wouldn't be an issue I either having several.

I do know some people think having pets are cruel, i don't agree with wild-caught pets etc but animals who are bred for the pet trade are different IMO (as long as they are looked after correctly). I know I would face some controversy, I wouldn't plan on doing big events though, that would be stressful for any animal especially an all day event like that. However I guess people do it dog and cat shows.

I certainly wouldn't do it to the point any animal would be stressed out and definitely not replacing animals. I get really annoyed at people why buy animals or fish (happens a lot) with the idea they will keep it a short time and then move it on when it out grows its tank or cuteness (see it a lot in America with gators too), but that is part of the educational side I wanted to talk about, people don't consider how long a lot of things live for or it's long term care needs.

Indeed.

I was tempted by an African pigmy hedgehog, but research showed me the error of my ways.

I'm a rescuer- can't resist an animal in need. Luckily I have a husband who is more sensible hard hearted!

Insurance- you'd want to look into that.

And carrying the animals might need some thought. I don't know whether an ordinary car would cut the mustard, imagine being stuck on a motorway in this heat, with animals.

Those things I've sorted. Found insurance so problem and we are a VW transporter, so again, that's no problem. It's literally just being brave and doing it!

I guess doing it once as a trial would not commit you to anything...

I've done reptile parties before for my kids and a local company are filled booked out doing it. They rescue and don't breed so you can request certain animals but what you get on the day depends on which animals are rested. They do educational talks around the animals and they kids are captivated by them. If I remember if they are fully booked it's only 1 or 2 sessions a Weekend x

Thanks, it's only me and my husband helping out when he's not working and we can get childcare, so will only have a few animals, it not intended to be a full on business, just a few parties.

I've got insurance sorted, I haven't purchased it obviously yet but I've arranged cover if/when I need it, I've spoken to the council about a licence (waiting for them to confirm a few things) and consulted with the HMRC.

I've looked at loads of different animal experience "parties" and most have less than we have, there are a few who must hold zoo licenses/pet shop, as they have very exotic things, but for the most part I think I have a decent enough range.

So I guess once I get the ok from the council as to which licence I need, then I can take the first steps 😱 ... and we need a name ...

Sorry but I hate the whole premise of these parties and no I would never book one. Very few animals enjoy being picked up/handled or cuddled and that is what children want to do. Ds was invited to one of these when he was 4 and it was horrendous. There was only one handler and about 20 4 year olds. Animals were squeezed, dropped and over handled. I had to step in and 'rescue ' some of them. And no I'm not a vegan but a vet nurse and I can tell when an animal is stressed. There's also the risk of zoonotic diseases and bites/scratches. Personally I think they should be banned.
If you go ahead I would stick to older kids or very small numbers.

If you want to educate, could you not offer to visit local schools and talk about your animals instead of parties?

I think @Thesearmsofmine has a good idea with the suggestion of going round schools rather than parties. Hopefully the children will be in a more disciplined and receptive environment rather than high on sugar and grabbing st the animals.

It's the kind of thing DS loved when he was younger but I can see a party environment would be stressful for the animals.

I appreciate your opinion.i do agree that so many have too many children, it needs to be small groups for that type of thing.

My friend just shared one they went this weekend and it seemed horrendous, they had frogs jumping everywhere, which frogs shouldn't be handed especially not like that. Someone squeezed a snake too hard etc. So yes, I do fully appreciate your advice and opinion.

Most reptile keepers I know are really particular about hygiene, alcohol gel before and after handing and encouraging hand washing after too. It wouldn't work as a several times a day, several times a week sort of thing. But twice a month, I think would be fine.

My animals are all used to being handed and by children, and there is no way I would take an animal that wasn't ready or was scared.

I think a massive part for me is about education, so many people like the idea of getting animals and don't have the proper experience, equipment or prepared for the long term care needs. So a lot is about that for me. Yes this animal is great and fun but this is what you have to be prepared to do to look after it - kind of experience. One look at selling pages shows all the reptiles who people think are cute and then "don't have time for" a year down the line. Or animals suffering horrendous injuries or deformities because they didn't do research before buying. For example breaded dragons, so many of those so poorly treated, so many die within the first first year because of poor husbandry.

I think people are fascinated and I don't want to discourage people from being interested in a range of animals but that pet ownership needs to be responsible. I think these sorts of experiences can be both the making and breaking for animals. I looked at the "bad" examples and none of them seem to have licenses or insurance, it's shocking and they should be shut down.

I do think it's a fine line though, animals can be exploited in this type of industry and even in zoos, I think done well they can be positive though.

I remember handling my first snake when I was about 8, I loved them since.

Animals that shouldn't be held, will not be held simple as that. If an animal has had enough it's out and done. I think what draws me to it though, other than I feel strongly about advocacy of proper Animal care, is the fact my animals seem to love attention, my breaded dragon is a nag to get attention and be smoothed, the snails, stick insects, snakes, skink aren't really bothered either way, my mantis loves attention too though it needs older children and adult, as does my bunny, the turtles and tortoise can't and won't be touched either. Nothing would come out if I'm shed or eaten (in the case of snakes).

Again, thanks for the feedback, it gives food for thought.

Ok. So many parties is the wrong word, but I've booked them as parties before but none are done in a party environment.

My friend just shared pictures of one at soft play 😱 that seems like a disaster. 30 plus kids, plus adults and the children were all around 2-3 🤬 honestly, that sort of thing is further from my mind. It was just one person doing the session too! No way would I take my lot to a soft play or endanger them like that.

I was thinking more like, going into care homes, small groups at home (but party comes from I've hired that sort of thing for birthdays), school,yes, and I have done that already, as a show and tell kind of thing.

Children and animals do not mix. This wouldn't be something I could get behind I'm afraid.

Sorry have just read your subsequent posts, you do seem to be sensible about it. Not loads of parties or kids. Make sure there is constant monitoring

I do think this sort of event would be very stressful for the animals concerned - it would involve them being transported about and out of their known, safe territory and then handled by lots of different people, especially children who might be liable to over-enthusiastic gestures. I wouldn't attend or book this event, for that reason.

We had one at home for DD’s 10th Birthday (I think)
It was very controlled and the man was very firm about what the kids could and couldn’t do. He had some hissing cockroaches, a snake, a hedgehog, tarantula, rat and a lizard so most if the girls didn’t want to touch them as not “cuddly “ enough but dd loved it and as the birthday girl she was allowed me to hold what she wanted to (everything)
I didn’t see anything that concerned me about the animals welfare

I do agree, children and animals can be an explosive combination. I have 4 children myself so I do get it. It does seem some of these parties are just about money and not care about the animal at all.

@ScreamingValenta - thanks for your feedback but can you expand a little, you imply all animals are stressed out of environment? Is that what you mean?

Just for example, our beardie comes out on day trips when the weather is good, 😂 he loves coming out, he has a harness. Beardies can show how they feel really well, if he's grumpy his beard turns black but if he's happy he goes really ginger. So I'm not concerned he is bothered. One of our giant bunny like one of our cats (both bonkers) will happy follow us to the car and jump in, they don't like getting left behind (the cat follows us to school 🙈😂) ... our household is truly bonkers.

The snail, snakes and stick insects really care very little about where they are. Effectively for the snails and the insect their environment comes with them, so there is no change for them. The snakes really aren't phased either, they could easily bring their environment with them too. Although snakes we do have to work around their feeding pattens and sheds.

I agree that most animals don't like being transported, I took my cats to the vets for annual vaccinations yesterday and one of them hates the car, yells all the way. There are obviously heat issues etc to consider, i.e. keeping things warm or cool as required as well. But I wouldn't do anything a distance away either. It's things to consider definitely. I'm not too concerned about the transporting of my mini zoo though, but if they weren't happy then it's something to weigh up too.

I think they are more likely to be stressed in an unfamiliar environment, particularly when they are surrounded by unfamiliar scents and lots of strange people looking at them intensely. A trip in the family car is a bit different, because the car will smell strongly of the animal's 'family' so will be more like an extension of home.

@Someonesayroadtrip I think you should absolutely do it pending full public liability insurance- write a clear set of 'booking rules' including maximum number of participants and handling session length time - so snake 10 minutes, hedgehog 15 minutes etc etc

@Hoppinggreen - she sounds like me 😂 I was like that as a child. My daughter is the same, she loves animals (other than rhinos for some reason). She loves spiders which she defiantly doesn't get from us.
😂 (and isn't getting).

@StylishMummy - thanks. Yes I've been writing rules and reading other people's too (some I don't agree with and some I do). Things like it's centred around the animal and if it's not wanting to come that day then it won't come. I don't really have any "star" animals anyway so it's not a problem if some don't come and who comes depends on the audience too.

Insurance is really easy really weirdly. Several companies offer it, I've got a few quotes already. They can start as soon as tomorrow. I just need the council to get back with licence information. 😄

Obviously weighing up yeh opinions of others too though. I do agree it's a fine line between being cruel and not, so it's making such I'm giving the not a wide birth. So opinions either way as useful.

Might be slightly different to what your looking for but I know pets at home do a half hour of looking at animals holding them etc. Might be worth booking your dc into that and seeing how they do things

The car isn't the destination though, they cat has come to various people's houses 🙈😂 just walks in with us. But I do appreciate what you mean (and cat isn't coming to these events 😂).

Also the animals get boarded when we are away, so they are used to being different places. We are lucky enough to have local reptile boarders.

The beardie and rabbit are they only ones out of their environment really, and they are the two that love to come along 😂

Like I say, all feedback is good, so I do appreciate and am listening, there are legal guidelines on the transport of animals which we will adopt the protocol.

someone
All her mates scattered when the Tarantula came out but she just wanted to hold it, which she did with close supervision
She got a Gecko for her 13th birthday after producing a PowerPoint on how to look after them and why she should be allowed one. She also volunteers at a hedgehog rescue cleaning out the cages and apart from cockroaches she’s never met a creature she doesn’t like and even cockroaches have to be relocated safely. I’m similar but not as brave as her and if it wasn’t for DH the house would probably be an animal sanctuary by now!