The farm is vibrant, dancing with life and sounds emanating from everywhere all at once. Cid the Sloth celebrates his seventh birthday with fresh cucumbers and zucchini while Smaug the Bearded Dragon rests quietly in the Jungle Room. Larry the Camel peers over the fence at curious onlookers and Sherman the Pig waits for his next treat. Visitors laugh and smile, genuine joy spread across their faces, as the otters peer around the corner of their enclosure. From kangaroos to servals and everything in between, Babby Farms is dedicated to sharing their love of animals with the Treasure Valley (and the world)!
Their humble beginnings started over 13 years ago and have since grown to a bustling community of over 160 different species, Babby Farms formed from a lifelong dream to bring a love of animals closer to people, especially to adults and children living with disabilities.
“We opened to the public in 2011,” shared owner Cheryl Harris. “We started as a mobile petting zoo, traveling to provide animal happiness to disabled individuals of all ages, from elementary schools to nursing homes.”
The mobile excursions were such a success and brought so much joy that Cheryl knew they would need to expand. Their current location in Caldwell sees hundreds of visitors every month. While all are welcome to visit Babby Farms, their mission is geared directly toward individuals living with disabilities. Simply being in the presence of animals can help regulate the nervous system, especially for those with sensory processing challenges such as anxiety, autism, ADHD, and OCD. It is this that makes Babby Farms so incredibly important to the Treasure Valley.
“By working with animals, a door for healing and connection opens up,” explained Harris. “We hope Babby is a rich and loving stepping stone in that direction. By striving to support our local communities and providing unique encounter experiences for our guests, our mission is one of love and inclusivity. All people, all animals deserve love.”
Most of us are accustomed to seeing a therapy dog, proven to reduce stress and provide a sense of comfort and stability to their owners. Now imagine a therapy baby kangaroo! Hand fed from birth, these animals are kind, loving, and quirky, always surprising staff with their unique and individual behaviors.
One of Cheryl’s favorite parts about her job—other than seeing the unbridled joy on peoples’ faces—is witnessing the new births. The staff makes a big deal out of it and comes together, babe in arms, to name the animal collectively as a group. She also really enjoys seeing rescued animals begin to relax and watching their unique personalities shine through.
“We believe in the healing love and power of animals,” explains Harris. She continues, “We hope guests leave Babby inspired to go the extra mile for their beloved pets or to help nurture the delicate wildlife habitats in their area. Something as simple as planting the right plant species in your home garden can encourage a diversity of wildlife in our communities. We should always support local wildlife because it gives so much in return.”
For more information about Babby Farms, visit them online at babbyfarms.net. There you can find information about their nonprofit organization, purchase a ticket to an upcoming event, and learn more about the adorable and unique animals they have at Babby Farms.