Adopt A Farm Animal Scheme
A comment left on my site the other day got me thinking about starting an Adopt A Farm Animal scheme on the farm.
In an article about my guinea pig called Guiness, I mentioned the fact that, “My nephew has adopted Guiness as a birthday gift and although Guiness still lives on the farm my nephew can tell his friends that he has a guinea pig. When he comes to visit he feeds Guiness and sometimes helps me to clean him out, which I think is great and so does my nephew and Guiness!”
The comment I received from Pat said, “What a good idea to adopt a guinea pig & keep it at someone else’s house. I bet other mum’s would be pleased with an adopted pet.”
As birthday gifts for friends and family, I have already adopted out;
- Guiness the Guinea Pig,
- Hatty The Hen,
- Camilla The Guinea Fowl,
- One Ear The Saler Cow,
- Snowy The Charolais Cow,
- Francis The Charolais Cow &
- Milky The Charolais Cow.
The children all received a certificate, photograph and a special letter from their animal. Some of the children have even visited their adopted animal and fed them. One of our friend’s little girl said when was her cow coming home to her house! My friend quickly replied that the cow was to stay here on the farm and that in fact she wouldn’t fit in the car to get home!!
All of the children have enjoyed receiving their certificate, photo and letter. They think it’s great that they can tell people that they have adopted a guinea pig, hen, guinea fowl or even a cow!
I would be very interested to hear your thoughts and ideas about the scheme I am considering setting up so please leave a comment.
Adopt A Farm Animal Scheme My Guinea Fowl
I think that it’s a great idea Sara. I really enjoyed your Guinness the Guinea Pig post.
Comment by Cottage Smallholder — May 30, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
Sara
What a lovely idea. I think it will make an excellent present for my godchild. Roll on the next birthday!
Cyn
Comment by Cynthia — May 30, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
Hi Cottage Smallholder and Cynthia,
Thank you both for your positive comments. I will start to think about how I can set it up on my site. Thanks for your feedback, it’s always appreciated.
Sara @ Farming Friends
Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — May 30, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
I think it’s a great idea. Not only will children develop a personal interest in animals they probably wouldn’t otherwise give a second thought to it also helps them become aware of the connection between food and farming!
Fantastic – well done…
Comment by Paula — May 31, 2007 @ 8:30 am
Hi Paula,
Thank you so much for this positive feedback and a different perspective. You have provided me with 2 great reasons to go ahead with the scheme, so thank you.
Sara @ Farming Friends
Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — May 31, 2007 @ 9:33 am
What a wonderful idea to have the children adopt a pet!
I`m off to add you to my blog list
tea
xo
Comment by tea — July 15, 2007 @ 1:17 am
Hi Tea,
Thanks for the comment and the compliment. The children really like this gift.
My nephew adopted Hatty the hen and when he went on a preschool visit to a farm last week he saw some guinea fowl and his dad said, “Do you know what they are as Aunty Sara has these birds?”
Luke replied, “Yes, guinea fowl, but where is Hatty?!” Luke is nearly 4 and he obviously thinks that hatty the hen is important and special.
I gave my friend’s daughter an adopt a cow and last week when I saw her she said, “How’s my cow?” She’s only 4 and it was great to think that she was interested in the cow that she had adopted.
Children just love animals.
Thanks for adding me to your links section - I will add you to my links page.
Sara @ farmingfriends
Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — July 15, 2007 @ 8:57 am