Do we need to rethink ‘petting farms’?

This article was originally published in 'The Westsider' on 1st March, 2025

King’s Park hosted its annual Family Fun Day in January, offering locals free rides, entertainment, and various attractions. However, one feature sparked heated debate; a petting farm.

On a sweltering 31-degree day, a Geelong-based company brought several animals—goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs—housed in a small trailer. The animals were confined to an overcrowded enclosure with at least 14 adults and children, plus two staff members. While a marquee offered shade, the animals had no refuge from constant handling or interactions with other animals. Smaller creatures, like rabbits and guinea pigs, were further isolated in a petting space, unable to retreat from the crowd.

Brimbank City Council’s promotion of the event on social media quickly attracted criticism. The post was flooded with comments urging the Council to remove the petting farm, citing concerns over the stress and cruelty such environments impose on animals. One commenter purported to have rescued animals from similar farms, whilst another reminded the Council that “Kindness to everyone will make for a wonderful family day.”

Local residents, concerned about the animals’ welfare, attended the event to educate attendees. Calmly distributing informative flyers, they explained the risks and ethical issues associated with petting farms. While some visitors continued to engage with the animals, many others listened to the advocates and explained to their children why petting farms may not always be as innocent as they seem.

The advocates were respectful throughout, engaging only with adults and protecting children from the mature discussion. One event-goer even returned with cold drinks to support the advocates working under the hot sun.

The event organiser approached some advocates, expressing understanding and sympathy toward their concerns. She advised that she was aware of the backlash on social media and in taking one of the flyers, assured the advocates the petting farm was already being reconsidered for next year’s event.

Whilst one advocate said that she felt it was important to inform the public about the stress these animals endure, another observed the animals becoming stressed, with children unintentionally mishandling chickens, causing them to flee or become agitated. She says one parent hurriedly removed their children from the petting farm, after noticing a horned goat’s anxiety.

The RSPCA highlights significant welfare risks in these environments, including “distress, injury, and even death.” 

Ultimately, while the event was mostly a day of family fun, it served as a reminder of the growing tensions around the ethics of animals in entertainment. The debate over petting farms reflects a larger conversation about how we treat animals, especially in public events, and whether such practices should have a place in our communities at all.