| ATTENDING PET SHOW, EXPOS and TRADE SHOWS |
| Since there has been much bad press in regards to attending shows, touching animals at shows, purchasing animals at show or taking animals to place at shows, I felt it time to shed some light on this from the view point of one that does attend regularly. |
| In the state of Florida, in the year 2005 there were incidences of children falling very ill and even not surviving due to complications with illnesses all linking back to a petting zoo at fairs. They became ill after touching farm type animals at fairs. Most of these exhibits at fairs do Not provide the patrons with the means to remove much if not all germs after coming in contact with them. At most Zoos I have come across where there is a petting zoo there is also a station to wash your hands prior too and after interacting with these animals. In the future am certain more caution will be taken. A big lesson learned too late for some. |
| What does that mean for the general public? Is it dangerous to interact with farm animals at animal exhibits? Is it danerous to interact with any animals at events? Is it dangerous to go to the pet store and touch any animal present? Well sadly Any animal can be ill and not always Look ill, just like with people. Some of the animals at the petting zoo events were indeed ill but was not apparent. Day after day we come in contact with the populous and can at anytime be exposed to any number of pathogens. For events where you know you will come in contact with strangers... animals and people alike.... it is always better to be over safe than throw caution to the wind. Just because they are present does not mean that they are totally safe/healthy. Use common sense. Wash your hands frequently when at events with many animals present....many people present for that matter. Make sure if you have children with you that their hands are also washed. Cute photos of kids sharing a corndog with event animals or seeing kids eat finger foods right after handling animals at events and stores is not so cute anymore. Carry Hand Sanitizer.... They make it in many varieties now... towelettes, liquid gell in bottles and now even tiny disposable pouches that Easily fit into a purse or wallet. These sanitizers will not protect you from Everything but is proven to kill 99% of germs and bacterium on contact. Try to not let the animals touch your clothing. This may be harder to avoid in some instances more so than others. If at a petting zoo... animals will nuzzle your side and such.. just remember that they did and either change that article of clothing ( if you brought a different item to wear) after you are done with that portion of the day... or at least take extra care. Cleaning yours or your childs hands but then running your Clean hands on the shirt or bottoms that came in contact with the animals, will most likely put the germs Right back on the hands. IF you are at a place for the day and plan to Eat or Drink while there. Either do so Before entering an area to interact with animals or make sure you are as safe as possible before eating/drinking after being in contact with them. Never take food and or drinks in to an animals area and consume While intereacting with the animals and never Share these items with the animals either. |
| I have touched much on larger scale fairs and such with larger animals present to interact with. Lets move onto the smaller expos, markets and trade shows where more Pet type animals are present. Again use common sense. Such events are supposed to have quarantine policies and not allow ill animals into the events but that is not always inforced....and again an animal can be ill or carry something and Not appear as if anything is wrong at all. If in attendance and looking just to look at the varieties or even shop for a new family member remember to use caution. Before Touching any animal watch them first. Do they appear healthy. One that does not look or act healthy is a big sign that it may Not be Well. Many vendor/exhibitors such as myself will offer hand sanitizer for people to use freely. I have even started to take the disposable packets and offer them to people to have while looking at the other exhibits even, so they can continue to be safer during their time there. When touching the animals always ask permission first even when in an open cage just to make sure it is ok with that vendor/exhibitor. Many scratches, nips and bites I have seen at some shows could have been prevented by asking if it was ok and then for help, prior to offering up fingers as a snack. Most animals are not prone to scratching or biting, but remember ,they are in a different environment, they do not know you and others will be doing the same throughout the day. REMEMBER... even the sweetest animal could nip or scratched if frightened. If you are permitted to touch the animals do not put them on your person. This goes back to the bit further up about washing your hands but then rubbing them back where something nuzzled earlier. If you make a practice of Not putting any animals on your person you are not also making it a practice of carrying around extra germs on your clothing during your visit as well. If you touched an animal, Clean your hands prior to touching any other animal, food or drink. This will keep you from ingesting any germ/pathogen or from passing it on to the next animal you may want to touch. This will also help to keep you from taking any germ/pathogen home to your pets. Remember much of any germ or pathogen you could come in contact with at Pet type shows would probably not harm a person but could make pets at home ill. |
| *** ALL that said. Animal related events can be lots of fun and educational for the entire family. A few simple common sense steps can give you a peace of mind to enjoy yourself at these event instead of shy away from them. IF you still have questions or concerns please feel free to Email me.*** |