Robinson’s petting zoo geared up for holidays
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Not Tommie and Brenda Robinson. Their worries run a bit deeper after their son, Patrick, has brought home a menagerie of animals that includes a llama, turkey, camel, and even a reindeer.
“I think I might get killed if I bring anything else home,” said Patrick, who has turned his love for animals into a successful business, Tic Tac Farms Petting Zoo.
“I’m actually used to it by now,” said father Tommie. “I even go with him now on some of his buying trips.”
Tic Tac Farms offers a mobile petting zoo that Patrick has taken around the state for several years. He says his stable of animals, which also includes goats, sheep and pot-bellied pigs, is the perfect thing to liven up birthday parties, church events and festivals. And since his petting zoo is mobile, he comes to you.
Now with the addition of his reindeer, to accompany oxen and his camel named Bo, Tic Tac Farms is offering nativity scenes for the holidays. Patrick did this for the first time last year when he participated in the drive-thru nativity scene at Smithville Church of God which drew hundreds of visitors each night. He also took his nativity scene to Lebanon.
“We still have a few dates open for this year, but they are filling up fast,” said Patrick.
Glancing over his barnyard of animals, one of the first questions that comes to mind is where can you purchase a camel or a reindeer, and how much do they cost?
“They’re not cheap,” said Patrick. “If I had the money I’ve put in these animals, I’d have a new truck right now.”
Patrick is a regular visitor to an exotic animal sale in Missouri. Zoos bring overflow animals they are trying to sell to the exotic animal sale and you must have a permit to buy them. Tigers, bears, monkeys, elephants and giraffes are just a few of the animals available, but you better bring your wallet. Giraffes cost in the $25,000 range while elephants can cost up to $100,000.
“There’s also a lot of paperwork involved,” said Patrick. “It took me about two months to get my reindeer permit.”
The headaches don’t stop after that. Patrick says he receives monthly visits by a United States Department of Agriculture inspector to make sure the animals are treated properly. In order to show the animals, Patrick has to make sure they have blood tests every 30 days and he also has to carry liability insurance in case an animal should harm anyone.
“That kind of insurance is hard to get,” said Patrick. “When I first called around asking about it, I couldn’t get anyone to take me seriously. Most people thought it was a joke.”
To find our more the mobile petting zoo and nativity scene, visit www.tictacfarms.com or call Patrick at 409-0513.