I saw a person bring a dog into a zoo once. That is the extent of this I have ever seen. Is this a European thing?
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Kids don't count? That's a shame as all the weirdness I've seen at the zoo involved kids (including a small child being held up to take a dump in a bin 20m from the nearest toilet, that one's a highlight). Balance bikes, scooters, double buggies used as ram raiders and those trailer things that contain kids and can't steer a straight line are other sources of fun and toe danger.
Kidding - most kids at the zoo are well behaved and having a lovely time.
I don't think it is very odd for people to take to the zoo something permitted at the zoo. If a zoo allows dogs and people take a dog there, what is your challenge with their mental wellbeing and judgement? The only zoo I am aware that allows dogs in the UK is CWP (into most of it).
Never seen a kitten at the zoo. I would be surprised to see someone get a cat or dog in against the rules, without being reported to a member of staff.
I'd be more concerned about people who take their dog to the zoo and leave it in the car.
Kidding - most kids at the zoo are well behaved and having a lovely time.
I don't think it is very odd for people to take to the zoo something permitted at the zoo. If a zoo allows dogs and people take a dog there, what is your challenge with their mental wellbeing and judgement? The only zoo I am aware that allows dogs in the UK is CWP (into most of it).
Never seen a kitten at the zoo. I would be surprised to see someone get a cat or dog in against the rules, without being reported to a member of staff.
I'd be more concerned about people who take their dog to the zoo and leave it in the car.
Birdland, Filey Animal Park, Jimmy’s Farm, Golders Hill Zoo and Cornish Seal Sanctuary all allow dogs in.
Haliaeetus
Well-Known Member
In Beauval the dogs (and virtually the other pets) are theoretically admitted, but it isn't recommended to come in the zoo with pets, instead the direction recommends to let the animals in private pensions during the time of the visit.
They are forbidden in (a growing number of) areas : the greenhouses, the Chinese Zone, the Hippo reserve, the South American aviary and the cable car.
They are forbidden in (a growing number of) areas : the greenhouses, the Chinese Zone, the Hippo reserve, the South American aviary and the cable car.
In Germany dogs (and probably other pets) are allowed in many zoos. Some zoos require an entrance fee if you want to take your dog with you.
Once a saw someone walking around with a ferret in their jacket. But the weirdest thing was when a woman took her two dogs (some type of terrier) into the Barbary macaque walktrough at Naturzoo Rheine. The macaques where even sitting right next to the pathway and the dogs barked at them but luckily nothing happened.
The weirdest 'pet' outside a zoo was a skunk on a leash with pink nails. The woman was just walking it around in the center of town. I don't get why people do that kind of stuff... If you get a non domesticated animal you should treat it as one and keep it in a natural habitat and don't bring it inside a crowded city...
Edit: I sometimes take my dog to the zoo (Osnabrück) as well and I don't see any problem with it. As long as he doesn't disturb other visitors and the animals at the zoo, it's just an exciting day for him, and I can save myself a walk.
Once a saw someone walking around with a ferret in their jacket. But the weirdest thing was when a woman took her two dogs (some type of terrier) into the Barbary macaque walktrough at Naturzoo Rheine. The macaques where even sitting right next to the pathway and the dogs barked at them but luckily nothing happened.
The weirdest 'pet' outside a zoo was a skunk on a leash with pink nails. The woman was just walking it around in the center of town. I don't get why people do that kind of stuff... If you get a non domesticated animal you should treat it as one and keep it in a natural habitat and don't bring it inside a crowded city...
Edit: I sometimes take my dog to the zoo (Osnabrück) as well and I don't see any problem with it. As long as he doesn't disturb other visitors and the animals at the zoo, it's just an exciting day for him, and I can save myself a walk.
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I saw someone bring a service dog into Lincoln Park Zoo and when they approached the glass inside Regenstein Center for African Apes, one of the silverback gorillas (bachelor troop) seemed to jump back in fear for a moment before relaxing and resuming normal behavior as if the dog had not been there.
DesertTortoise
Well-Known Member
I saw someone walking a service miniature horse inside the Scott Aquarium at the Omaha Zoo earlier this year.
Roman Paulov
New Member
It seems that it's quite trendy in Germany. Zoos in Saarbrucken and Munich are pet-friendly zoos. In Saarbrucken zoo even some pet infrastructure (like water and food dispensers) exists.
We were surprised when we saw it first time
We observed how dogs react on wild animals and how animals react on dogs... and surprisingly they just ignore each other. I dunno how it works in Germany but it works
We were surprised when we saw it first time
We observed how dogs react on wild animals and how animals react on dogs... and surprisingly they just ignore each other. I dunno how it works in Germany but it works
Some zoos keep cats around to keep mouse numbers down given the amount of straw, hay, food hanging about, same as farms do.
I imagine they are subject to health checks so they don't carry anything contagious.
Some zoos also use dogs as companion animals to others especially predator species, and even foster parents.
However, I don't know any that I've been to that allow in the public's animals, can you imagine the carnage if a ferret got loose in an aviary or a dog in a herd of herbivores? Plus the possibility of transmissible disease. Seems very unwise to do so.
Around 50% of all Czech zoos (both big municipal ones and small private ones) allow visitors to bring their pet dogs in.
Other types of pets are usually prohibited. Some zoos have their own free roaming barn cats but those are "working" animals, not pets of visitors.
BTW, this weird American trend of owning a pet miniature horse or a tame parrot, calling them a service/support animal and then demanding entry to places where animals are prohibited is weird and would not fly around here.
Most of zoos that allow dogs in demand you to buy a dog ticket. Prague dog ticket costs currently $6,50 and you can also buy a dog annual pass for $21. You get free dog waste bags and the zoo provides bowls with fresh water at several places within its area.
The only large local zoo I know that allows dogs in for free is Zoopark Chomutov. You will see a lot dogs inside because its wooded areal of 112ha (277 acres) is just ideal for long walks.
During times of previous Prague zoo director Mr. Fejk, zoo employees (including keepers) were allowed to bring their dogs to their workplace. The new director probably discontinued it.
Brno zoo took a special aproach and attracts dog owners that want to train their pets - recently it even built a dog agility training playground that zoo visitors are free to use during their zoo visit.
Here is small video from Brno with obedience training
Other types of pets are usually prohibited. Some zoos have their own free roaming barn cats but those are "working" animals, not pets of visitors.
BTW, this weird American trend of owning a pet miniature horse or a tame parrot, calling them a service/support animal and then demanding entry to places where animals are prohibited is weird and would not fly around here.
Most of zoos that allow dogs in demand you to buy a dog ticket. Prague dog ticket costs currently $6,50 and you can also buy a dog annual pass for $21. You get free dog waste bags and the zoo provides bowls with fresh water at several places within its area.
The only large local zoo I know that allows dogs in for free is Zoopark Chomutov. You will see a lot dogs inside because its wooded areal of 112ha (277 acres) is just ideal for long walks.
During times of previous Prague zoo director Mr. Fejk, zoo employees (including keepers) were allowed to bring their dogs to their workplace. The new director probably discontinued it.
Brno zoo took a special aproach and attracts dog owners that want to train their pets - recently it even built a dog agility training playground that zoo visitors are free to use during their zoo visit.
Here is small video from Brno with obedience training
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Miniature horses in the United States are used as legal service animals trained to perform tasks, usually for the blind, and as such are allowed entry anywhere their owner can go.
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
It's not a "trend". Miniature horses make excellent service animals. They live much longer than dogs and are able to do tasks that dogs can't, especially ones that involve weight-bearing. They're also a good alternative for people who need a service animal and are allergic to dogs or who can't keep one for religious reasons. Having a miniature horse isn't an easy thing because of all of the pushback from the ignorant public. I suggest following pages like Flirty's (Flirty the Miniature Service Horse) to learn more about them.
Parrots are not service animals. In the USA, service animals are limited to dogs and miniature horses.
Thanks for info that the US recognizes horses as service animals for the blind, didn´t know it.
Only miniature horses, and they are for any disability.
Are you thinking of emotional support animals?