www.roanoke.com

Coy Shupe, Jr of Troutville had a job lay-off in the winter. He and his wife Rhonda, a special education teacher at McCleary Elementary School in New Castle, thought an animal solution may be in the works. At first he wasn't certain, but by the end of February he made the commitment. They began to find some animals for a traveling petting zoo. What a fun new job. The animals at his little farm are friendly, soft and cuddly.

The economy will spawn many entrepreneurs it has been predicted. Shupe is among the first to approach the Botetourt View. He was in the telecommunications industry which is pretty dead now due to the lack of new construction and upgrades.  Rhonda got on the internet and began to surf  Craig's List and the result is a lot of miniature animals and low cost to get them. Today the Shupes were on the way to get Alpacas in the Shenanadoah Valley.

The Shupe family of four seem to really enjoy the animals. Besides Coy, there's wife Rhonda, son Daniel and daughter Kalena. They share time socializing the animals and pitch in to feed and water. The animals include miniature horses Cookie and Pete, chickens including polish silkies, bantams, bunnies, Pygamy goats named Katie, Buster and Cocoa, a sheep named "Baaab," a duck and soon there will be alpacas and a miniature donkey. The cutest things in the world??? Baby pot bellied pigs named Wilbur and Fiona. Fiona is a little black piglet and well when eating a bottle, she wouldn't let Wilbur try. She's a real pig! They also have a dog that follows Shupe all over the four acre farm.

Little Critters traveled last week to a church in Christiansburg and were well received. Children are around these animals on a daily basis so that is a really good thing. Birthday parties will be a big part of his business Shupe hopes.  He believes that PTA groups, fairs and events associated with kids will contact him. They will also bring animals to nursing homes and other places for pet therapy. Little Critters will even provide live animals for Nativity Scenes.

Already he expects to have the petting zoo sometime soon at a farm store in Roanoke County.

To reach Shupe and schedule Little Critters Traveling Petting Zoo-- call him at 354-8490.