UPDATE CITY GOAT FARM AND PETTING ZOO IS NO LONGER OPEN.
YOU CAN FIND THEM (AND LOTS OF CRITTERS TO PET) AT THEIR NEW, INDOOR LOCATION, JOZEE ROOZ indoorpettingzoo.com
Funding issues are the problem. You can see Don and his camels giving rides at the Point Defiance Zoo.
You can also still book a party at the zoo; they just don’t have the funds to get it up and running for regular open hours.
I have a post on other area options for young animal lovers that I’ll work on updating. updated 6/18/2014
Hey, South Sound mommas. I’ve found a Spring Break outing that’s totally affordable and perfectly adorable.
It’s City Goat Farm and Petting Zoo, a hidden (not for long) gem, right in Spanaway.
It’s a ten acre farm with critters from llamas to chickens. Don’t tell Henry, but I went and visited without him, and I had so much fun petting the camel and meeting the baby wallaroo. It’s truly an outing just made for your little animal lover.
Oh, my cuteness! Let your little ones meet animal babies at City Goat Farm and Zoo.
Best news? In addition to their regular weekend hours, Don and Debbie are going to be open the whole first week of April for local school kids on break. Can’t wait? You can visit this Saturday, the 30th from 10-4. If you go, just park in the field, and then head straight back to the building they call the saloon, where Debbie will take your admission and show you the ropes. A very reasonable 5.00 gets you admission to the petting zoo and free roaming areas and time in the bounce house (set up seasonally). For just a few bucks more, you can get a bucket of feed for the animals (Yes, you’re going to want to do this), and add in a pony ride.
Can there be too much cuddly cuteness in one outing? Whatever you do, don’t forget the camera!
You should know that this is a real, working farm, so wear your boots and play clothes. Don and Debbie have a huge heart for animals, which means there are ongoing projects as they take in new friends, and lots of farm chores to do around visitors (and I know they’ll get plenty of new ones when this post goes up, so be patient with them). Bring your spirit of adventure, and you’ll enjoy an afternoon of old-fashioned, wholesome fun that will feel like a visit to family in the countryside.
There is a good chance your kiddos won’t want to leave, and you’re welcome to bring a lunch and stay as long as you want. There is a porta pottie with cold running water, so pack some wipes or other cleaning supplies for your mess makers. You may also want to wait until your tots are past that hands-straight-to-mouth stage, but I’ll let you decide on that.
Don and Debbie are as friendly as can be, and they’d love to help you plan a party for your cowboy or My Little Pony fan. They’ll also bring animals to you if you’d like a petting zoo for your school fundraiser or other animal themed bash- and yes, they do field trips. If your kids love City Goat Farm and Zoo like I know they will, you’ll also want to ask about their new season pass option-a total bargain.
You can find out lots more information on their website, and be sure to like their Facebook page for the most current pictures and up to date info. on hours and special openings and events. You can go, today, Saturday the 30th from 10AM-4 (they’ll be closed on Easter). The address is 811 168th St E, Spanaway, WA, and I found Mapquest to be right on and getting there a snap. Do be prepared to turn in. The only goof up I had was overshooting the drive by a bit.
Disclosure: All the opinions in this post are my own. We’re thrilled to have City Goat Farm and Petting Zoo as a new sponsor.
Thank you so much for the recommendation to City Goat Farm & Petting Zoo! I took my kids (7, 3 & 6 mos) there today and we had a blast! Deb and crew are amazing and we felk in live with the animals 🙂 I love love love your site and read it at least weekly!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! This place was INCREDIBLE! I try and tke my family (Wife and 2 year old Daughter) on a “mini vacation” every Sunday so we made the drive to Spanway from Bellingham and it was magical! I cannot say enough about this place. The owners are extremely friendly and helpful, they have SO many animals and for the most part you are free to roam and pet/feed all of them. Goats, peacocks, camels, horses, ostriches, sheep, some kind of adorable animal that is the largest “rodent” on earth… the list goes on and on.
They have pony rides and a bouncy house too!
And the prices! They were superb- for “everything” (two buckets of feed, and your kid keeps the fun colored sand buckets and shovels, the entry fees and a pony ride) it was $26 for all three of us!
Thanks FunMom and THANK YOU City Goat Farm & Petting Zoo!
Just spent time there for Father’s Day (dads got in free) and had a blast!! The pony was a little daunting for our 2-1/2yo so we didn’t do the ride, but you HAVE to get a $3 bucket of food! Toddler spent a lot of time chasing/feeding the chickens, rooster, peacocks, and baby ducks. Dad was excited to feed and pet the camel, and I really liked the pigs, bunnies, and goats. The grounds are suitable for a strolller, but not allowed in the petting areas so I had my newborn in a carrier. There’s a few benches to rest on and a picnic table too. Everything is outside, so if you’re planning to be there a while don’t forget sunscreen. We spent $13 because of the special, and we’ll be back again soon!!
Does Anyone know If They Are Still In Business?? Website Says Theyre Closed Until April And,Phone Number Doesnt Work.
Hey, Jill,
They are still in business, but the petting zoo isn’t open for the season yet, and I’m not sure if it will be in the same form. I’ll email them and try to get some scoop for you, or you could holler at them on their Facebook page. They just updated it this morning with some kangaroo pics, so they’re around. 🙂
piss poor communication and no availability and horrible customer service via phone. dont waste your time calling them. always busy. guess they not only lost my money but my photography as well. good riddance.
Hey, Tina,
Sorry to hear about that. I know they were having some trouble getting enough money to do repairs and maintenance and had decided not to open the petting zoo, but I know they’ve said they are open to private parties. I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t have that experience, but I do appreciate you taking the time to share!
Rode Hank the camel at the zoo and would love to visit his “off season” home, but have seen that they’re having troubles. Have they tried a “gofundme” or is that not allowed for a business?
Hi, Shelly,
Readers just loved City Goat last year, but yes, they’re having funding problems.
I do believe you can still host private events there.
I don’t know the rules for Go Fund Me, but it sounds like a great idea to me! Kickstarter is one oriented around business ventures.
Do not waste your time it is closed even though Google says it’s open and the lady was extremely rude unnecessarily.
Hey, Katie,
Sorry you had that experience.
They are closed at that location, but they have an indoor facility called Jozee Rooz that is open if you want to give them a try again.
https://www.facebook.com/Jozee-Rooz-Indoor-Petting-Zoo-Party-Rental-Zoo-to-U-pony-unicorn-rides-1488426864715528/?fref=ts