By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
While the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo has dozens of animals to enjoy visiting, that does not mean your pets can come check out fellow animals. Zoo staff sent out a reminder to the public, that pets are not allowed inside the zoo.
Curator Ashley Burdick said outside animals can spread diseases from one to another.
"We don't know if everyone has their animals vaccinated," said Burdick. "They could have parasites they could pass when they're making a mess out in the zoo. Any of our animals are susceptible to that. That's one of the main points."
The zoo does not allow emotional support animals, but service animals trained to perform specific tasks are permitted inside.
"Usually, you can tell when it's just a run of the mill pet," said Burdick. "They get super excited and start barking at the animals. Our animals aren't used to that. That can agitate them."
Burdick said zoo staff also often has their ambassador animals walking around on their own leashes and pets could pose a danger to them.