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?

@Iwantacookie - I saw that, I might take a look. Although pets at home give terrible advice ... if you research adequate sizes of enclosure for rabbit, hamsters, etc they all fall vastly under the recommendations. I've bought a hamster and a cage from them before and then been really surprised when I discovered how undersized it was (and it wasn't a small cage in the range). I'm actually quite scared of hamsters, lol, maybe we should go 😂

Your daughter sounds awesome. I did something similar with a cat 😂

My husband was more weary until we attended a reptile party and now he loves snakes and then boom! A zoo! 😂 I think he's worse than me these days.

Are you used to standing up/presenting to a large/medium sized group of children? If you're not, it can be quite tiring/stressful, regardless of what's involved, so do bear in mind it may not end up being very fun for you!

If you're bringing in things like snakes/insects/snails etc, do be aware that some people obviously will have strong reactions to these animals (including adults). I'm sure you've thought about this, but you'll probably need a system for pre-warning people before these animals come out, and a way to keep them out of view the rest of the time!

You'll also need to have a plan for a scenario where a child/adult suddenly panics in reaction to an animal- sometimes people think they will be fine and the reality is different and you need a plan to keep everybody (including the animals) safe in this situation.

FWIW, I agree that I don't think you have anything really to lose by attempting this, as long as you get the right license/insurance in place- if you try it once and decide you don't enjoy it, presumably you won't have lost too much money on insurance etc, and if you do enjoy it, then done well, I do think these parties can be a good experience for the children and at least a neutral experience for the animals.

If you can, and I don't know what the rules are on this, it might also be fun to have some non-living things for the children to interact with e.g. snail shells, shed snake-skin and so on!

I’m not convinced that it’s a viable business plan. People who appreciate your attitude to your animals’ welfare are unlikely to be the ones booking you for a party. And people who book you, may be unimpressed at some animals not being taken out, having the handling curtailed and leave bad reviews that will impact your business. I can’t imagine that sufficiently small groups/short encounters will be financially viable.

My 10-year-old is going to an animal experience day soon, just her - not any sort of party, it will just be her and the college staff & either me or her father, and part of the reason she picked to do so is because of the animals, but also because she gets to go out to the farm at the college and it seems more real and grown-up to her than just having them exhibited at a distance with maybe getting to talk and pet them with dozens of others like at the many (many) events we've gone to at museums, libraries, Big Bang Fair and other science stuff.

As a parent with an animal obsessed child (and no desire for pets myself. As I tell my four kids, I've dealt with enough poop and this house is too noisy to be fair to any animal), I'm more likely to pay for one on one or maybe a couple on one experience with those in the know in a space designed for the animal's wellbeing than animals in my house or a second location. I mean, I'm a non-driver, I get in the house or school or elsewhere might be a better and more appealing option to some, but between wanting what is best for the animals - my child's interest should not come at their expense - and my child preferring to see and help care for them in 'their home'.

There are obviously potential in the previously mentioned museums, libraries, science fairs, schools, and such, but for birthday experiences - like my DD is doing - I'd worry like PamelaTodd said that those who want it with a party are less likely to care about welfare over the entertainment value and those who want the welfare side like my DD will prefer a fuller experience in care and welfare which is more possible at the animals' home.

@SansaSnark - yes, I'm fine presenting in front of people. Professionally I've done it, and volunteer at a school now. I've done this sort of thing at school before. I actually really enjoy getting up at presenting. My husband is less confident , but he's absolutely fine when it's something he's confident to speak about. Both of us have spoken in front of 200-300 people several times.

Two of my children have autism, so I'm used to dealing with meltdowns of all sorts. 😂 but yes, I agree, that's another thing to think about.

@PamelaTodd - fair enough, I guess firstly I'm not really that interested in making this a fully functional business. If it turned out that way, then great and obviously I would do everything with the intent of going it successfully, but really it's just part of my hobby and wanting to educate others. However, having read the FAQs of many of the popular ones it seems many have similar policies. Things like snakes will always be available as I have several and they all eat on different patterns (my calendar is full if next feed dates - they eat between 7 - 14 days depending in food size). I only have one breadie and one blue tongue, but everything else there is multiples of anyway, so there should be a decent enough range at all times. group sizes tend to be small, you can present to a bigger group, but the actually handling needs to be much smaller sizes and will depend on age etc too. Previously, I have done a class presentation and then broke into two groups, one with a quiz and one handling and then switch, I appreciate that wouldn't work for other groups though.

I do appreciate your point though, I'm not particularly business minded, my family all ran businesses though but not with animals. But I was looking to do a book keeping course and perhaps I should do some business courses.

@BiBabbles - I guess that would be the dream, having a small zoo where people come. I have a better idea how I could run that, but it would be a much bigger gamble and huge upfront costs. I would love to though, I don't have the space to have people wonder around my house unfortunately. I do appreciate and understand your comments though.

Thanks all, it's all been really helpful and useful.