Dutch petting zoo launches ‘rent a pet’ scheme

DutchNews, February 17, 2016

A children’s farm in Duiven is offering guinea pigs, mice or ‘tame’ rats for hire to prevent impulse buying. 

Kinderboerderij Horstenpark is offering a six-week lease (including a cage) for €15 plus a €35 deposit. 

According to the Gelderlander, the farm has been offered so many unwanted pets in recent years that its pens and cages are full. It is also trying to stop parents bringing in animals simply because children have become bored with them. 

Stress

The leases can be extended for another six or 12 weeks, and if parents decide their child has truly fallen in love with the pet, they can buy it for €10. 

But Renate Bartels, from the petting zoo, told the Gelderlander that rabbits would not be available: ‘These animals get easily stressed. You should not haul them from place to place. For rats, guinea pigs and mice, this isn’t an issue.’ 

The Telegraaf says that animals are only hired out after a few months at the farm so they have acclimatised and don’t find it too stressful.