Little Critters Traveling Petting Zoo answers job lay off
An article reprinted from the Botetourt View
Cathy Benson - July 2, 2009
Coy Shupe, Jr of Troutville had a job lay-off in the winter. He and his wife Rhonda, a special education
teacher at McCleary Elementary School in New Castle, thought an animal solution may be in the works. At first he
wasn't certain, but by the end of February he made the commitment. They began to find some animals for a traveling
petting zoo. What a fun new job. The animals at his little farm are friendly, soft and cuddly.
The economy will spawn many entrepreneurs it has been predicted. Shupe is among the first to approach the Botetourt
View. He was in the telecommunications industry which is pretty dead now due to the lack of new construction and
upgrades. Rhonda got on the internet and began to surf Craig's List and the result is a lot of miniature animals
and low cost to get them. Today the Shupes were on the way to get Alpacas in the Shenandoah Valley.
The Shupe family of four seem to really enjoy the animals. Besides Coy, there's wife Rhonda, son Daniel and
daughter Kalena. They share time socializing the animals and pitch in to feed and water. The animals include
miniature horses Cookie and Pete, chickens including Polish silkies, bantams, bunnies, Pygmy goats named Katie,
Buster and Cocoa, a sheep named "Baaab," a duck and soon there will be alpacas and a miniature donkey. The cutest
things in the world??? Baby pot bellied pigs named Wilbur and Fiona. Fiona is a little black piglet and well when
eating a bottle, she wouldn't let Wilbur try. She's a real pig! They also have a dog that follows Shupe all over
the four acre farm.
Little Critters traveled last week to a church in Christiansburg and were well received. Children are around these
animals on a daily basis so that is a really good thing. Birthday parties will be a big part of his business Shupe
hopes. He believes that PTA groups, fairs and events associated with kids will contact him. They will also bring
animals to nursing homes and other places for pet therapy. Little Critters will even provide live animals for
Nativity Scenes.
Already he expects to have the petting zoo sometime soon at a farm store in Roanoke County.
Source:
http://blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/botetourtview/2009/07/02/little-critters-traveling-petting-zoo-answers-job-lay-off/
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