A red kangaroo named Van once lived inside a family’s house. Today he has a whole farm to share with a zebra, a sloth, and a lavender skunk named Jolene.
The cast keeps getting better. There’s an armadillo called Johnny Cashew and a pair of porcupines named Bonnie and Clyde. Two capybaras, Winston and Winnie, recently welcomed a baby to the crew.
This Ohio farm started as one couple’s pet collection, and one of them didn’t even want to live in the country. I love that kind of plot twist. A single TikTok video later pulled in about 34 million views.
Every visit here is private, so you won’t fight crowds for a peek. Bookings can fill months ahead, which tells you plenty. I’d happily plan a trip well in advance for the chance to feed Winnie and Winston, meet the farm’s adorable sloth, and watch those playful otters up close.
Spending an afternoon getting to know such an unusual group of animals sounds like an experience I’d remember for years.
1. Capybaras Steal The Show Before You Even Sit Down
Winnie and Winston are the stars many guests come to see first. The pair of capybaras at Westmeister Farms – By Private Appointment, Shelby, OH recently became parents, too.
A baby capybara makes everything cuter, and that’s saying a lot. These giant rodents already look like calm little couches with whiskers.
Private capybara encounters let you get hands-on with the family. You can feed them, pet them, and learn how they live.
Guides share real facts during the visit, so you leave smarter than you arrived. Capybaras are the largest rodents on Earth, which surprises plenty of people. They also love their veggies, so snack time tends to be a highlight.
The farm doesn’t force any animal to interact. If one capybara wants to relax on a platform, staff let it be. I really respect that approach.
Around Valentine’s Day, the farm has offered something called Capy-grams. Winnie and Winston munch personalized notes written on edible potato starch paper with icing pens. Honestly, that’s the most charming way a love letter could vanish.
Book well ahead if capybaras top your list. These encounters are popular for very obvious reasons.
2. Grab A Swimsuit Because The Otters Want A Pool Party
Swimming with otters sounds like a dream from a kid’s notebook. In Ohio, it’s a real thing you can book.
Westmeister Farms offers a rare opportunity to swim with Asian small-clawed otters during a supervised, pre-booked encounter. Check the farm’s current age requirements and participation rules before reserving your session.
The otter crew includes River, Sailor, Harbor, and Cove. These are Asian small-clawed otters, the smallest otter species in the world. They’re quick, curious, and full of energy.
The private otter swim includes up to 30 minutes in the water, with a guide supervising the experience. Guests must be at least 10 years old to swim, and the experience costs $150 per person, including those who choose not to enter the pool.
A changing room is on site, so you don’t need to arrive dripping. That small detail makes the whole day easier.
Want a souvenir that’s truly one of a kind? There’s an optional painting with otters add-on. Yes, the otters help create the artwork.
I can’t imagine a better story to tell at school or work on Monday. Most fridge art doesn’t come with tiny webbed paw prints.
Keep the age rule in mind when planning a family trip. Younger kids can still enjoy the farm tour.
3. Two Hours Of Animal Introductions Fly By Fast
More than 24 species live on this farm. That number includes classic barnyard friends and some truly unexpected wildlife.
Private guided tours usually last up to two hours. A guide walks your group around and shares each animal’s story.
You won’t just stare from behind a fence. Many animals here can be petted and fed during the tour.
The barnyard side brings plenty of charm. Miniature donkeys Homer and Viven share the farm with goats, horses, and pigs named Ruth and Otis.
Then the list gets wild fast. Lincoln the zebra and Franklynn the ostrich are both part of the lineup.
Because every tour is private, you skip the long lines and loud crowds. That makes the visit feel relaxed instead of rushed.
Kids who ask a hundred questions will be in heaven. Guides focus on education, so curious minds get real answers.
Wear shoes that can handle a farm. You’ll be walking outdoors between animal areas for a good while.
Bring your camera, but don’t spend the entire time behind it. Some moments are better watched in person.
4. Slow Down And Say Hello To A Very Chill Sloth
Sloths don’t rush for anyone, and that’s part of the fun. Eleanor, a two-toed sloth, lives at the farm and takes life at her own pace.
Private sloth encounters are offered for small groups. You can meet, pet, and feed a sloth during the session.
Watching a sloth move feels like a lesson in patience. Every reach for a snack happens in slow motion, which somehow makes it more exciting.
Two-toed sloths actually have two fingers on their front limbs. They usually have three toes on their back feet, which is a fun detail to share.
These encounters are a separate booking from the general farm tour. Plan ahead if a sloth meeting matters most to your group.
Spots can fill up quickly. Checking the farm’s Facebook page for cancellations is a smart move.
I like that this encounter has a calm feel. It’s a nice break if your crew includes anyone who gets overwhelmed easily.
Just remember the sloth sets the schedule. Your best plan is to relax, stay quiet, and enjoy the slow show.
5. Yoga Gets Way Harder To Focus On With A Capybara Nearby
Downward dog has some adorable competition at Westmeister Farms. The farm offers Otter Yoga, an experience that combines gentle stretching with the company of curious Asian small-clawed otters.
Forget the usual quiet yoga studio. Here, your workout comes with whiskers, tiny paws, and a few unexpected distractions.
The otters are naturally playful animals, so watching them explore their surroundings can be just as entertaining as the yoga itself.
You might arrive hoping to improve your flexibility and leave talking about the otters instead. That’s a pretty good trade if you ask me.
The experience offers a fun change of pace for animal lovers who want something different from a traditional farm tour.
It’s also a lovely idea for a day out with friends. Sharing a few laughs while trying to concentrate on your stretches sounds like a memory worth making.
Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move easily. You’ll want to focus on enjoying the experience rather than adjusting your outfit.
You don’t need to be a yoga expert to appreciate the atmosphere. The real appeal is spending time around these fascinating little animals while enjoying a relaxing activity.
Check the farm’s current schedule and booking details before planning your visit, since special experiences may have limited availability.
6. Names Here Are Basically A Comedy Routine
Johnny Cashew is an armadillo, and that alone deserves applause. The animal names at this farm are clever enough to make you grin.
Jolene is a lavender skunk, which sounds like a country song waiting to happen. Bonnie and Clyde are African crested porcupines, though they’re not robbing any banks.
Samson and Delilah are Eurasian eagle owls. These big birds have bright orange eyes and impressive ear tufts.
There’s also Lieutenant Dan, a two-legged rabbit. His name is a playful nod to a famous movie character.
Ruby the raccoon and prairie dogs Leroy and Pippa round out the fun crowd. Oscar, an African Sulcata tortoise, brings some slow and steady energy.
Each name gives you an easy way to remember every animal. Kids especially love calling animals by their names.
These names also hint at the owners’ sense of humor. You can tell the animals are treated like family members.
Bring a notebook if you want to keep track. With this many characters, it’s easy to lose count.
7. A Kangaroo Who Once Lived Indoors Has Quite The Backstory
Van the red kangaroo joined the Westmeister family in 2020. At first, he actually lived inside their house.
That fact tells you a lot about how this farm began. Owners Lynn and Shawn Westmeister started with their own personal pets.
Shawn originally didn’t want to live in the country or own animals. Clearly, that plan didn’t last very long.
Lynn later shared an invitation on Facebook, and it went viral. A TikTok video of the farm animals then drew about 34 million views.
All that attention helped the farm open to the public in 2023. It celebrated its first anniversary in March 2024.
The Scottish Highland cows add another chapter. Millie and Lloyd now have a calf, so the farm family keeps growing.
I believe this homegrown start explains the warm feel of the place. It grew from love for animals, not a big business plan.
Red kangaroos are the largest kangaroo species in the world. Seeing one up close in Ohio still feels a little unreal.
8. Booking Early Is The Real Secret To Getting In
Patience pays off here. Appointments are by private booking only and can fill up months ahead.
Westmeister Farms – By Private Appointment sits at 4097 Plymouth Springmill Rd, Shelby, OH 44875. The farm runs year-round, so any season works.
Westmeister Farms welcomes visitors by private appointment only. Available dates and times depend on the experience you choose, so check the booking calendar and your confirmation before making the trip.
Missed the window you wanted? Cancellations are sometimes posted on the farm’s Facebook page.
Patreon subscriptions may also offer early access to scheduling. That can be handy for families set on a certain date.
Shelby sits in north-central Ohio, making it a reasonable trip from many cities in the state. Plan a little extra drive time for rural roads.
Pick your experience before you book. Tours, otter swims, sloth visits, capybara meetings, and yoga are separate options.
Before booking, choose your date carefully. Westmeister Farms states that appointments are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled. Available dates appear on the booking calendar, and new openings may become available when cancellations occur.
Group size matters, too. Smaller groups often get more time with each animal.
Arrive a bit early to settle down before your start time. Nobody wants to rush a meeting with a zebra.
9. Leave Room In Your Bag For The Gift Shop
Saying goodbye to an otter is tough. The gift shop at Westmeister Farms helps soften that blow a bit.
Stopping in after your visit makes sense. It’s a nice spot to grab something that reminds you of the animals you just met.
Kids may want to take a little piece of the farm home. Adults might too, and that’s completely fine.
The whole visit is built around a personal, crowd-free experience. Private tours keep things calm, quiet, and focused on learning.
Care for the animals comes first here. Interactions happen on the animals’ terms, which makes every hello feel more genuine.
This place works for birthdays, anniversaries, or just a fun weekend. It’s an easy gift idea for any animal lover in your life.
Think about combining experiences if your schedule allows. A farm tour plus an otter swim makes for a very full, happy day.
Ohio has plenty of fun stops, but few let you feed a capybara and pet a kangaroo the same afternoon. Your hardest choice might be which animal to love most.
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