Cruel?

Piggy mum

Piggy mum

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone

just wanted to know what everyone's view was on this...
So I saw a leaflet today for a farm park in Cumbria that was offering for children to 'catch their own' rabbit or guinea pig from a pen as part of the petting zoo.
I didn't know if it was just me but I have awful visions of these poor animals cowering in corners trying to get away from children grabbing them?! Anyone else think this is a bit cruel?
 
me for sure...
unfortunately rabbits and guinea pigs are seen as toys, this is a fact... As a parent I would never take a child to a similar event and you also would do the same... and if the parents were like me and you that event would end up in a failure. The fact that actually that event will have a great success is parents' blame...
 
I think it sounds horrendous for the poor animals, and hopefully there is some sort of rule to prevent children chasing defenseless and terrified animals around for fun.
Plus a rabbit can inflict a serious amount of damage to either itself or the person handling it if it is picked up incorrectly.
I shudder at the thought that anyone would think this is a fun or viable activity to offer at a farm park.
 
@Swissgreys Pigs can too. Podrick bit my boyfriend a year or two ago in self defense. There was so much blood everywhere and it didn't stop bleeding for 2 days.

If you feel comfortable @Piggy mum it might be worth a visit to tell them your concerns or call/email them.
 
Wow that's disgusting, poor animals must be terrified. I wonder how many are seriously injured by kids dropping them, falling on them or stepping on them... I can't even think about it.

You're definitely not the only one who thinks that's awful, I would make it my mission to shut that place down lol.
 
Awful and if I came across this I would go on and on to who was with me about it and probably go and say something, then get myself in a pickle. :doh: I don't understand some parents at all, but then I'm more an animal person. If the guinea bites they will blame the place. One thing that gets me annoyed is kids kicking well not actually kicking them but running to pigeons to do that, and not getting told off witnessed this again at the weekend. Not telling them it is mean in my eyes means the animal or bird doesn't matter.
 
Jaycey said:
@Swissgreys Pigs can too. Podrick bit my boyfriend a year or two ago in self defense. There was so much blood everywhere and it didn't stop bleeding for 2 days.

If you feel comfortable @Piggy mum it might be worth a visit to tell them your concerns or call/email them.
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I was thinking of emailing or calling them- I don't really want to give them the satisfaction of paying for admission to go and visit. I'm glad it wasn't just me- and I bet these poor animals have no where to hide either. The goats and sheep look well looked after but as said- guinea pigs and bunnies are seen as toys.
 
That is just awful! Poor piggies and rabbits! Piggies are nervous creatures anyway and should be handled with care and consideration not chased about by a load of kids who think its fun a fun thing to do. What is that teaching them about caring for animals? I've had my piggies for around 16 months now and have always treated them with love, patience and understanding and they are still not keen on being picked up. The poor piggies at this Farm Park will be traumatised beyond belief! I would email your concerns to them and I, for one, would be interested in their reply.
 
Betsy said:
That is just awful! Poor piggies and rabbits! Piggies are nervous creatures anyway and should be handled with care and consideration not chased about by a load of kids who think its fun a fun thing to do. What is that teaching them about caring for animals? I've had my piggies for around 16 months now and have always treated them with love, patience and understanding and they are still not keen on being picked up. The poor piggies at this Farm Park will be traumatised beyond belief! I would email your concerns to them and I, for one, would be interested in their reply.
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I've had my pigs for a similar amount of time and they're the same as yours- you kind of just have to accept that they don't always like to be cuddled and that that's what makes them happy. I kind of want to go to this place and rescue them all- poor babies :soz:
 
Hi @Piggy mum Mine love cuddles it just the picking up bit they don't enjoy. Even though they know they're not going to be hurt. I suppose its the strong prey instinct kicking in.
 
I have friends that live nearby to where this place is and messaged them to ask about it, it's not good :( rabbits and piggies together to start with, then you've got excited kids in the mix too. Poor little mites, the place needs reporting.
 
Tim said:
I have friends that live nearby to where this place is and messaged them to ask about it, it's not good :( rabbits and piggies together to start with, then you've got excited kids in the mix too. Poor little mites, the place needs reporting.
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I agree Tim 100%
 
I found out what place it is (obv am not naming it here incase the forum gets into bother) and went on to Trip Advisor, searched reviews mentioning guinea pigs and unfortunately it seems as bad as I thought it would be. Horrid, poor little piggies and buns!
 
parents' blame only! children don't go there by themselves...
People are so stupid... I have just read on the newspaper that a baby dolphin died for an heart attack in a spanish beach where he approaching the score was surrounded by stupid bathers and their children, for making selfies...
 
Looking on their FB page and trip advisor it looks like others have had concerns about various other animals there too.
 
helloitsbecca said:
I found out what place it is (obv am not naming it here incase the forum gets into bother) and went on to Trip Advisor, searched reviews mentioning guinea pigs and unfortunately it seems as bad as I thought it would be. Horrid, poor little piggies and buns!
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I've just looked at trip advisor and it is what I feared.... quite worrying that I got this perception from reading a leaflet and not even going there. No reply as yet guys.
 
Sounds awful. How could anyone possibly think that would be a good idea? Crazy. Hope it gets stopped.
 
Everyone thank you so much for you advice and help- much appreciated. Hopefully we can make these piggies happy again! Still no response and if there's none by next week I'll be sending another email.
 
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