Zoos are some of the most intriguing places in the world. They have tons of different animals, lots of opportunities to learn new things, and most importantly for me, they usually have Dippin’ Dots there.
Most zoos are not actually dog-friendly, though, which is made one Staffy’s trip on Monday, February 3rd so special. He got to go to a dog-friendly zoo and he loved every single second of it:
@staffy_vinnieHis favourite were the monkeys and the birds 🥹😠#staffy #fyp #foryoupage #cotswoldslife #cotswolds #dogfriendlyzoo
Vinnie the Staffy had the time of his life at this zoo, and we enjoyed watching him just as much. It seems like mom might need to bring him back more often!
Vinnie and his mom visited Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens on this day, where he got to see everything from goats to giraffes and even a lion. He loved every second of it, though it seems like the giraffes and the turtles were one of his favorite parts!
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens are located in Bradwell Grove, England, and it’s dog-friendly. They ask that all pups who come are kept on a leash and that you clean up after them if they have to go potty – don’t worry, if you forgot bags, they have some available! Dogs are allowed in basically all of the outside areas, though they state that dogs aren’t allowed in any inside areas, though, or indoor animal houses.
Why aren’t more zoos pet-friendly?
All zoos allow service animals, but most zoos actually don’t allow regular companion pets. Vinnie is lucky to live close to such a rare treat!
Even though a zoo’s whole focus is animals, most of them don’t allow outside animals in. Zoos are usually not pet-friendly because they’re concerned about their resident animals. Just like most dogs have never seen a giraffe before, most giraffes have never seen a dog. They don’t want to risk their animals having adverse reactions.
Dogs might bark, growl, or charge at animals they’re not sure of, which can frighten the animals and cause issues in their habitat. If one animal gets scared, others may follow, and that can be unsafe. Zoos are also common places for children, which can trigger some dogs.
Most of the time, it’s better for everyone if the only animals in a zoo are the ones who are supposed to be there. If you’re wanting to bring your dog for a zoo trip, you can always call ahead and ask. Some zoos even have “dog-friendly days!” The worst they can say is no!
