Frequently Asked Questions
WHY CHOOSE MARSHA’S ZOO?
We are the oldest traveling zoo in South Texas with over 30 years of experience and a flawless safety record. Our healthy and happy animals are loved and cared for as part of our family. For many generations all they have known is being loved and playing with the children of Houston, so they are very gentle and uniquely qualified to come to your event. Our animals live in a clean and safe environment on our 80 acre ranch where they roam freely and are at their optimum of health and clean when they come to you. Our staff, who are mostly family, live on our ranch and care for these animals as their own, so they have a wealth of first hand knowledge to share with your children and students.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE FOR CHILDREN FOR A PETTING ZOO?
Our animals are gentle enough for babies on up. Even us older folks that are at your party will enjoy them. We never out grow the excitement of petting a baby animal.
HOW MANY PONIES DO I NEED FOR MY PARTY?
One pony is good up to about 15 children, but we suggest you might think of having 2 if your little one wants a lot of turns and wants his or her own pony. We have small and large ponies. Our show quality ponies are all gentle and child friendly so babies on up to larger children are ok. The weight limit is 100 lbs.
HOW MANY ANIMALS ARE INCLUDEN IN THE ZOO?
Small parties like Birthday Parties will have up to 20 exotic and farm animals. They will include llama, exotic deer, pot bellied piglets, lambs, goats, ducks, chickens, bunnies, mini-donkey, etc. with special request of mini-kangaroo-wallabies, lemur babies, and camel, are available at an extra charge. Large events will have between 20 to 50 of these wonderful exotic and farm animals.
I LIVE IN THE CITY, CAN YOU BRING THEM HERE?
Yes, the rule is that as long as they just come for a visit, and don’t live there, it is ok with the City Regulations. We just need a space that we can pull up to with our trailer, build a pen that the animals can safely exit from their trailer into and not get out of and lost. Our pen sizes start from about 20’x20’ that are just right for city yard zoos to larger ones for fairs and events of 50’ x 50’.
HOW SOON DO WE NEED TO BOOK?
We have been doing zoos for 30 years and so have a lot of other folks that have us out year after year, so we stay very busy especially on weekends. Call us as soon as you pick out a date to check availability.
HOW DO YOU ACCEPT PAYMENT?
We take checks, with I D-Driver license and date of birth on them, credit cards-or cash. Our deposit is usually about 1/3 of the booking price then the balance is due the day of the event.
ARE YOU INSURED AND LICENSED?
Yes, we have a two million dollar liability insurance policy for your peace of mind. A copy is available by request upon your booking. We are also licensed by the federal government with a class “C” exhibitor license from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). We have regular vet visits and a program for vet care on file.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE HAVE BAD WEATHER THE DAY OF OUR EVENT?
We bring 10’ x10’ pop up tents to protect the animals from the sun or small showers, but if the weather is too bad, we will gladly reschedule to another date. We can build a small zoo in a double car garage and go on rain or shine. We will need to be contacted at least 6 hours before an event (or before we load at the ranch) if it has to be canceled, and your deposit will be returned or forwarded to the next booking date.
WHAT TYPE OF EVENTS DO YOU COME TOO?
Company Picnics, School Carnivals, Church Functions, Day Care Events, Fund Raisers, Grand Openings, Nativity Scenes, Holiday events, Family and Birthday Parties
DO YOU DO CAMEL RIDES?
Yes, we have a wonderful 10 year old African Dromedary Camel named Larry who is just a love bug. He just loves to give kisses. He is over 2500 lbs. He is over 7 ft. tall at his hump and 10 ft. to the top of his head. He can give 4 children or 2 adults a ride at one time.
WHAT ARE NATIVITY SCENES?
We provide the Biblical type Animals for Church Nativity programs. Including ride or non ride Camel and donkey, sheep and goats along with our handlers dressed in shepherd robes.
DO YOU ONLY DELIVER, OR CAN WE HAVE OUR PARTY AT YOUR RANCH?
Yes we deliver our Petting zoos, pony rides, hayrides, Camel or train rides to your location. We will also do small parties by special request, at our ranch north east of Houston.