Are there any places where you can have hands-on interaction with exotic animals?

Question

I think baby leopards are awesome, and always wanted to see and hold one with my own hands. Are there any places where you can have contact such as holding, petting or playing with one? I'm not talking about a zoo where there is a glass wall separating you.

Answer 1

Never heard of places in North America other then a zoo. If you think you would like it so much, why not try to have a job in a zoo? Maybe you would get the chance to touch the babies if you had contacts from within ;-) There are quantities of job in a zoo and maybe there's one that would fit you. Don't forget that it's normal that these animals are not pets because they get big and can be dangerous to humans. Animals should be free in their natural habitats...

Answer 2

Check out the net and look for farms that breed the animals. If they are reputable breeders, they should be quite willing to let you come and talk to them, and possibly play with their animals. They should at least let you come and see the animals. Some of the exotics may be too young, and they may worry about disease with the little ones, but if proper disinfecting precautions are taken, they shouldn't be any reason you can't.

Answer 3

saddly there are such places - the animals used are often kept sedated and usually have shorter life spans because the interaction with humans is mentally exhasting to them - domestic animals do well with humans - exotics do not