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Q & As
1. How long is a birthday party program?
We feel that an hour is long enough for a standard organized presentation.
Anything over an hour and the kids may begin to lose focus, especially if
they're young. We do many successful parties, birthday or other events,
that last longer than an hour and consist of a standard presentation
plus additional casual mingling with program participants afterwards.
2. What's the best time to have your
program start?
This is your day, so we'll be happy to accommodate your needs. However,
when asked our opinion, we suggest that people have us present towards
the end of the party (after eating) for several reasons. a) Kids focus
better on a full belly, b) Safety and Sanitation. Everyone is required
to wash hands after the program is over. However, if food or cake is
next on the agenda, kids may be too excited to wash well or even wash
at all. Food and animals don't mix well, c) parents picking up kids often
enjoy watching the very end of our program, because they get to see the
excitement and awe on their child's face, and d) it gives us a chance to
answer parents' questions should they want to know more about AFA.
3. Are the kids safe with the animals?
Any animal with a mouth can bite. Any animal with claws can scratch.
Although most of AFA's ambassador animals are wild and exotic, they're
used to educational programs and pretty well socialized. While we allow
some contact with the animals, it's highly supervised and only with
animals we feel most comfortable with.
4. Is Animals for Awareness licensed and
insured?
Yes.
5. Can we take pictures of the animals?
What about flashes?
Absolutely! We encourage it. Our animals are used to being the center of
attention, so feel free to take pictures. In fact, birthday kids or
guests of honor are allowed extra privileges of animal contact and
picture taking. Flashes also don't seem to bother the animals either.
Additionally, we always welcome copies of pictures sent or e-mailed for
possible use on bulletin boards or on our website.
6. What accommodations do you need to do
your program?
We're very low maintenance! All we ask is that we have an area to place
the carriers. This may be up against a wall or on a table. We also need
just a little room to move about between the animals and the participants.
The animals remain in their carriers until it's their time to come out.
Participants are usually sitting on the ground
or in chairs. We prefer a half circle seating to maximize viewing and
accessibility. If more than a single row is needed, we'd like the same
format with an aisle down the middle so that we can walk straight through
and access both sides of the room.
7. What about mess?
There's usually a small amount of mess involved any time you're dealing
with kids or animals :-) Our animals leave very little mess behind and
that generally consists of some fallen pine shavings or pieces of
straw/hay (bedding from the carriers). Some of our animals may shed
slightly. You may need to vacuum once we leave. On very, very rare
occasions, an animal may have an accident. In 20 years, it's happened
maybe 10 times. Bottom line: Don't set us up on your oriental rugs.
8. Can we have the program outside?
Sure! However, it must be at least 65-70 degrees out. On very warm sunny
days, we need shelter such as shade trees or a tent to protect the
animals from the heat and sun. Drizzling doesn't bother us as long as
your participants are ok, but we need to be moved inside or under
shelter when it's really coming down or if it's lightning.
9. Do all of the participants have to
touch the animals?
No way! No one has to touch or hold anything he or she doesn't want to.
We're here to teach, not to scare or intimidate. We will, however,
encourage people to overcome fears, biases or misconceptions.
10. How much advance notice do you need
for a program?
That really depends on the season! Late spring through early fall is our
most hectic program season. Our weekends book quickly, and, for the
animals, we try not to book more than one program per day. Your best
bet is to book at least 2 weeks in advance.
11. What animals do you bring?
We generally bring out 8-12 animals for a program, which are more animals
than we can squeeze in in an hour. Although the animals may change, our
general line-up includes some of the following: Talking parrot, ferret,
hedgehog, mongoose, Canada lynx, alligator, large snake, sulcata tortoise,
Mali uromastyx (lizard), tarantula, fennec fox, bearded dragon (lizard),
kinkajou, opossum, and skunk. (See our Party Animals
page for photos!)
12. How many people do you bring?
It really depends on the type and length of the program. We always try
to have at least two people there. For larger, longer programs we may
have 3-5 people.
13. Can we use antibacterial gel between
each handling of the animals?
Sure, but we personally believe this creates a false sense of
cleanliness. But when the program is finished, nothing beats soap and
water! If a sink isn't available, pour bottled water on your hands and
rub them together, then rinse with water again. Then an antibacterial
gel should be used.
14. We want to book you; now what do we
do?
Give us a call to discuss the particulars and go over the date(s).
Once we've got that settled on, we'll mail you out a contract. Simply
complete the highlighted areas, sign it and send the contract back
along with a $50.00 deposit. All checks should be made payable to
Animals for Awareness.
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