As a small animal owner, (pocket pet, exotic animals) who maintains high, (NORMAL) standards of care and safety toward my pet, as an avid member of small animal societies and groups, whom keeps up to date with their care and health information, I am appalled at the cruelty these animals endure at petting zoos.

From volunteering to help "set up" the animals when they arrived in unsanitary cages, I was absolutely appalled at what I was beign asked to do. I went to remove the animals from their transport cages to bring them into the petting enclosure, and what I saw when I opened the cages, was scared and shaking frightened small baby animals! I saw baby chickens shaking in the back of the cage huddled together, still not with complete fur, who were SO scared and definitely did not want to come out, and I felt SO sad to have to take them out, I was distraught! They are too young to be left in the open at a petting zoo too! I had to take out baby rabbits also huddled together, and when I saw the poor baby guinea pigs huddled, I knew I could not take them out, as a guinea pig owner, I know the FIRST thing they need for their comfort and safety, is somewhere to hide. Bringing out these super scared baby animals was so cruel, all for the "showing" and entertainment of their presense to human children. I refused to take out the guinea pigs knowing they would have no where to hide, and knowing they are not to be housed under any circumstance, with other animals who can spread diseases to them  as well as injure them.

From ill and unhealthy transportation conditions; cramped into tiny transport/travel cages covered in their own feces and minimal floor bedding, to arrive at a location in terrible conditions such as the following:

Firstly, the animals being used as entertainment, "show ponies" is unnaceptable. In hot conditions, with no cover. Exotic small animals, guinea pigs in particular, being a small prey animal, the FIRST point of care is to have somewhere to hide. They are left in the open with NO hideys, tunnels, or houses, creating anxiety and fear. Being poked and touched by children against their will with no choice, and no where to hide from it, this causes a lot of anxiety and discomfort for them. Another hugely important point, they are thrown in together in the same enclosure as chickens, who can spread deadly diseases to guinea pigs, they are NOT to be kept together. They are usually kept with rabbits as well, who can kick and harm the guinea pigs fragile bone strcutures, and also spread diseases.

I witnesed the other day unfortunately another animal farm, and I was devastated for the conditions the guinea pigs were in. They were put in a tiny enclosure again together with rabbits and chickens; they had no hidey, i could see how scared they were huddled together, one even risked itself by hiding under a large rabbit it was so scared! and the rabbit left leaving it vulnerable, open, and as we know for guinea pigs, super frightened! And susseptible to diseases from the chickens! Guinea pigs are also uncomfortable of being touched and poked by children, let alone any humans.

It is clear at animal farms they (the animals) are soley being used for the purpose of human entertainment, and no thought is given to their care or comfort, or their health and safety. It is clear this is cruel and unnacceptable.

I ask for it to be not allowed to hold small exotic animals at animal petting zoos. I have seen at numerous petting zoos in both sydney and melbourne, the terrible condition the small animals are left in. Its enough. Guinea pigs cannot be purposely left out in the open with no where to hide to be seen and shown to humans, with complete disregard for their comfort and safety, I am sick of it.

If they arent going to be housed seperate to other animals, with ample hiding places/opportunities and ample hay provided, they SHOULD NOT BE THERE AT ALL.

I cannot of course, (even though I would love to), prevent all forms of animal absuse to all animals, but this is a matter close to my heart as a loving small animal owner who has witnessed the cruelty and discomfort of these timid prey animals, the abuse I have witnessed of them. And the awareness of the abuse, as someone with knowledge about their care, I can guarantee that the conditions they are left in is definitely causing harm and discomfort to them as well as putting them at risk.

Enough is enough, if you cant look after the animals properly, 

I call on the Australian Government, as this is not a state problem this is a national problem, to place a BAN ON GUINEA PIGS FROM BEING SHOWN AT PETTING ZOOS!

It needs to be illegal to hold small animals at petting zoos!