Petting Zoos... grrr.

[carla]

I know this is probably brought up plenty here and there, but I was just browsing through my cousin's pics from their trip to the pumpkin patch/farm and came across this beauty. Trim much?:

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/carcar_020/poorbaby.jpg

The state of these poor guys' feet just always makes me so sad and I see it at every single "petting zoo" I've been to. :rant:

[/rant]

edit: and I know this isn't the best pic and there may be more going on than *I* can see-- but it just reminded me of the general way of things.. kwim?

[Remali]

If the petting zoo is local and in your area.....I would call the local humane association and report them, they may get it for neglect! I actually called about a local zoo here, and had them move the rabbit's cages out of the sun.

[shewasmyshadow]

I can see he looks like he's pawing, but I can't tell much about his feet from that picture. Other than that he looks healthy.

[carla]

Really, swms? I don't think it looks like he's pawing but has some crazy angles, but you could be right .. either way, it just reminded me, like I said.

We went to one place last summer that had mini upon mini upon mini (I couldn't believe how many, for one little attraction lol), all with very, long, cracked hooves, I guess it made it worse that there were so many and they were all the same- ugh..!

[shewasmyshadow]

You really never know. It's just they usually let kid's feed LARGE amounts of corn or pellets to these little zoo animals, so I figured he was pawing to get fed.

I do agree with you though. We went to a zoo that had the "strange" animals. They had a cow with two noses, a six legged calf, etc. I've never felt so sorry for animals before. Ugg...

[carla]

You are very right, swms! That could be the case- not the best pic, I know ;) I do agree that he looks generally healthy, though, regardless of what he's doing with that leg.. However, I always expect to see less-than-optimal conditions in places like this, so I automatically seek it out.. Perhaps I'm on the war path tonight? LOL!

But OMG- I don't think I'd want to see all the poor deformed ones you're talking about! How sad. ;(

And Remali- I'm sure the rabbits appreciated your concern- that wouldn't be comfy at all in the sun all day!

[42many]

Looks like a pretty healthy one to me - not super-fat like many I see, either. I can't tell anything about the feet at all - they certainly don't look (from that pic) like something anyone should get up in arms about...

Most petting zoos I've seen have actually had fairly well-treated and healthy animals (other than some exceptionally FAT mini ponies!). I'm sure some are pretty bad, though.