LUMSDEN – The Griffiths Petting Farm is closing down next weekend after 25 years.
“Personally, I haven’t had a holiday in over 25 years. So we decided that this is the point in life where it’s time for us now,” said Harold Griffiths, who co-owns the farm with his wife Muriel. “It’s just getting to the point where I can’t keep up anymore.”
The couple, in their 60s, officially opened the farm after friends kept bringing their children over to see the animals.
“We started out with cows, and then we got into sheep and chickens and ducks and stuff like that and then, over the years, it’s just expanded,” said Muriel Griffiths.
Their collection has grown to over 250 animals; some have been sent to the farm to be nursed back to health before being released.
“This one, the mom got run over on the highway and the baby was just in the ditch. So someone found this little baby there and we wound up inheriting it,” said Harold, as he fed a raccoon.
Despite the focus on animals, the couple said they find the impact on people to be the most rewarding; namely, offering people with mental and/physical disabilities a chance to connect with animals.
“We have had people that have told us that they remember coming here when they were in grade school and now are bringing their kids or even grandkids,” said Muriel.
The Griffiths’ daughter married on the century-old farm.
“She didn’t get married right here in the barn, although that could have been a possibility because it rained that day,” said Muriel.
The couple plans to sell off most of the animals off, but will continue bringing the remaining ones to schools, retirement residences, etc. for events.
Comments