The One Nebraska Ranch Where You Can Pet Alpacas, Ponies, & Camels

Interacting with animals in Nebraska can be a very healing and rewarding experience. While we love our pets, there are places right here in Nebraska where we can pet animals that we don’t normally interact with. At Scatter Joy Acres in Murray, NE, you can interact with llamas, ponies, alpacas, donkeys, and even a camel! Let’s explore this fantastic petting zoo in Nebraska.

On the outskirts of the tiny town of Murray, on a lonesome gravel road in the heart of Nebraska farmland, is a beautiful ranch that is full of friendly animals.

Its 26 acres are run by Joy Bartling who started this place as a way to offer healing to people through animal interaction and is meant to bring joy to as many people as possible.

One of the main purposes here is to provide therapeutic interaction for autistic and otherwise developmentally-disabled people of all ages, as well as veterans and at-risk children. The sweet and docile animals are perfect for this.

It’s a wonderful feeling to gallivant with goats, bask in the love of burros, and kick back with kangaroos - all on the same day. It’s a wonderful idea for a birthday party, field trip, or other special occasion. Or, just because you want to spend a day with these beautiful creatures.

Scatter Joy Acres also has an excellent pet adoption program; and since the animals are so well socialized through interacting with many people, they’d make perfect pets.

There’s also an exceptional program called Be Somebody that teaches elementary and high school students how to live with more kindness, authenticity, and self-awareness through experiential learning, games, discussion, and various activities.

Whatever your reasons for visiting, you’re sure to leave feeling relaxed, invigorated, and with a big smile on your face. Treat yourself to this loving experience.

Have you ever had the experience of interacting with animals at Scatter Joy Acres in Murray, NE? Are there other petting zoos in Nebraska where you love to hang out with animals? In the comments, let us know about your favorite experiences. For the most current updates, be sure to follow Scatter Joy Acres on Facebook. If you’d like to go on a hiking trail where you can see tons of wildlife, you’ll love this one.