SHELBY – Shawn Westmeister had two demands for Lynn when they got married: he didn’t want to live in the country, and he didn’t want animals.
Clearly, he loves his wife.
The couple is now the proud owner of Westmeister Farm, home to 24 unique animal species. They range from traditional farm animals like pigs and chickens to more exotic animals like zebras, sloths, kangaroos and more.
The farm wasn’t initially a public experience. Lynn and Shawn argued with their friends that it was interesting to the public.
“(The Westmeisters) were like, ‘No, that’s weird. This is our backyard. Nobody wants to come hang out in our backyard,’ ” said Hailey Corcoran, an employee for two years at Westmeister Farm. “To prove (her friends) wrong, Lynn posted on Facebook, inviting people out … and it went viral.
“Ever since, we’ve just continued to grow.”
Westmeister Farm offers several animal experiences. A typical tour – the most immersive experience the farm offers – starts in the site’s gift shop, where patrons get a chance to meet the smaller species.
Lieutenant Dan, the two-legged rabbit; Johnny Cashew the armadillo; Jolene, the lavender skunk; and Leroy and Pippa, the prairie dogs, among others.
Back outside, guests will meet Ruth and Otis the pigs, then Samson and Delilah the Eurasian eagle owls. Donkeys and goats live across the lot, with an exhibit housing Bonnie and Clyde, the porcupines, next door.
Visitors can pet and feed many of the animal species. Porcupines don’t fall under the “pet” category, for obvious reasons, but visitors will be able to hold and feel a quill.
Through the barn, visitors meet Lincoln the Zebra, the Westmeisters’ three horses, Ruby the raccoon and Franklynn the ostrich. Visitors will also meet the otters, River and Sailor, before heading back outside.
Outside, they’ll encounter the Scottish Highlander cow family, Millie and Lloyd, with their new calf, as well as Daisy, Archie and Amelia. There are also the capybaras, Winston and Winnie, with their 2-week-old baby; the kangaroos, and a pair of sloths.
There’s also Oscar, the African Sulcata tortoise, gifted by Shawn to Lynn as a Christmas present with a bow around his shell.
Many animals have themed names. The kangaroos are named after rock bands; Lincoln the zebra is named after President Abraham Lincoln, born on July 4. The porcupines are named after the infamous criminal couple, Bonnie and Clyde.
Kevin the peacock is simply a “basic white guy name,” Corcoran said, and Vivian the donkey was expensive, “so she gets a stripper name.”
Patrons can also take yoga classes with the otters, sloths and capybaras. If they’re older than 10, they can swim with the otters in their pool. Prices and details are on the Westmeister Farm website.
Despite the farm’s growth, income goes towards helping the animals, bringing in new ones and bettering the experience for all parties.
“Admission, gift shop purchases; it all goes back to the farm,” Corcoran said.
The farm also isn’t a shelter. While some animals are from bad situations, Lynn, Shawn and their handful of employees never refer to them as rescues.
“We have animals from all types of backgrounds,” Corcoran said. “Some are definitely from bad situations, but we like to focus on who they are today, rather than who they used to be.”
