About FTAA
Every family has a story, welcome to ours.
The Shiveleys
Ryen and Jill Shiveley along with their five children reside on the 88 acre family farm that has been passed down from three generations. Ryen grew up with a passion for animals from an early age. He also had a love for art and decided to go into teaching. He taught art for 11 years and realized he was missing out on a dream that he had envisioned his whole life. He resigned from teaching in 2022 and decided to devote all his efforts into the zoo.
Amenities
Gem Mining
Purchase a bag ($8 per bag) from our gift shop or animal feed station and hit the gem mining sluice to pan for treasure. Each rough bag also comes with a keeper bag, and an identification postcard for you to take home. We have gemstone, arrowhead, fossil and seashell bags available!
Feed Station
The animal concession stand is in, and the goats are ready for you to place an order! You can purchase feed and refills right in our Barnyard Buddy area. ($2.00 per cup)
Party Pavilion
$250 for 20 guests or less. Each additional guest is $10 per person. Parties available year-round. Outdoor exhibits do close in the winter and activity is replaced with an interactive animal presentation.
Contact us for more information.
Play Ground
A huge thank you to our community for this anonymous donation.
Gift Shop
Check out our gift shop during your next Encounter or during regular general admission.
Meet The Team
Volunteers
Do you dream of working with animals? We are seeking a highly motivated volunteers which may develop into employment opportunities. This individual would be needed to maintain the highest standards of animal care, develop enrichment for various species and be able to interact with the public to create a safe and engaging experience. 16 years and older. Please complete the form below if interested.
2022
Phil and Vicki Rhonemus
Jude Endicott
Carla Wesley
Easton Wesley
Brian Bailey
Alex Martian
Jared Vulgamore
Austin Lloyd
Keith and Julie Blythe
Larry and Patty Shiveley
Braden Frost
Shawn Gill
A thank you to our sponsors.
Interested in becoming a sponor?
Be a part of the adventure with a Family Traditions Animal Adventure Sponsorship! We reach thousands of park goers throughout the season and even more through our social media. We have customizable packages available to fit any company and love to partner with our fellow local businesses. Our park sponsors receive park signage, social media acknowledgements, and complimentary admission passes!
The USDA inspects all zoos - large, small, public and private across the country. Even as a small privately owned zoo, we are held to the same strict requirements and standards as large and publicly funded zoos.
The requirements and standards that we are required to follow encompass everything from animal exhibits, animal enrichment, animal health, animal diet, veterinary care routines, park infrastructure, safety matters, contingency plans, detailed paperwork of animal inventory, surprise inspections, and various records among other aspects.