Waiver or no waiver?

[Skittles1101]

So I posted this blog on another site:
My boyfriend's aunt knows about all my critters, and she is the cub scout "leader" for this area. She asked if we would come to their March or April meeting and bring some of my reptiles by and talk about them to the kids. I, of course, accepted, and am really excited! My boyfriend will be there 100% to help me out, which is great. I think I'm going to type up a "liability/permission slip" for the parents to sign. They will only be able to handle a select few, using hand sanitizer each time, but I've already decided who I want to bring

-My 4 1/2 foot Kahl strain albino boa Humphrey (kids will not handle him, may be able to "pet" while I handle him.

-My 2010 950 gram normal male Julius (kids will be allowed to handle him, he's puppy dog tame)

-I'm thinking about bringing one of my morphs, just so the kids can see the difference in the patterns/colors, haven't decided which one I want to bring yet.

-My A.Metallica tarantula (kids will not be able to handle...don't want her getting squished!)

-My leopard gecko Capri (kids may be able to handle her)

-My red foot tortoise Scarlett (kids will be able to handle her)

-My bearded dragon Gimpy (kids may not be able to handle him, he's still young and pretty flighty)

-I'm thinking about bringing Lucky, my rat, and saving him for last to be sure none of the predators smell him lol.

-Also considering bringing my crested gecko, she's still a baby and the kids will not be allowed to handle her, but at least they can see her and learn about them.

I'm really excited! I think the kids will really love to see all the cool animals that they don't get to see every day. I want to talk about some common myths, and general misconceptions. I'd also like to print up a map and label where each one comes from. I'm going to try my best not to ramble, but I'm pretty good with talking to kids since I constantly have to explain things in "child speak" to my 5 year old son. I'll be sure to have someone take photos, and am really looking forward to the Q&A portion lol.

Now, a few people had commented saying congrats, etc etc, but that they don't think I should have a waiver because it will give the parents the idea that I'm bringing "dangerous" animals around their kids. However, in my defense, anything with a mouth can bite, and the last thing I wanted is for one of my normally harmless animals tagging a kid and having the mother freak out and sue the crap out of me. I see it as covering my 6 in case some freak accident happens. Granted, the kids won't have access to all my animals. And all the animals I am bringing are normally very docile and friendly, however, like I said, anything with a mouth can bite. I feel that if I was bringing puppies and one bit a kid it wouldn't be a big deal, but because I have snakes it would turn into a huge debacle if, God forbid, something happened. I really don't think any of mine will, as they are also brought up around my 5 year old son, however I don't think I'd like to take that chance without some sort of "permission form" I guess. So...what do you think? Waiver, or or waiver?

[adamsky27]

I have seen threads like this before and the answer is to always get a waiver. It has even been recommended to have an attorney write one up, a self wrote waiver may not be enough.

I voted for the waiver.

[Slashmaster]

Absolutely get a waiver.

[JulieInNJ]

I agree, I would absolutely get a waiver, and having a lawyer look at it isn't a bad idea either. I know a lot of companies/people who give these presentations are insured in case there are accidents. Since this is your private collection and your 'pets', I'm not sure what your liability is.

Maybe change 'handle' to 'pet/touch'. That way, the animal is always in your possession and accidents are less likely to happen.

Edit: And I don't think having a safety waiver gives the idea of dangerous animals. There are safety waivers for EVERYTHING nowadays!

[shawn388]

i have done this before here in back home in georgia i had my attorney write up the waiver just in case like you said anything with a mouth will bite if need be . if said animals are not use to alot of people being around and all the chaos the little ones could bring it could open up a whole new can of worms to say. i think in your best interest in would get the waiver just to be safe . have a great day

[Dabonus]

If you're going to let the kids get close to the animals like you plan, I would go with the waiver. Only down side is that's putting a lot of extra work (and maybe money) onto you.

If you were to set it up so only one animal would be out at a time, no kids would hold an animal by themselves and only line up to "pet" them, I think you would be OK without a waiver.

I never had to sign anything before we went to reptile exhibits with school and we all got to touch a big 10 ft boa, and when I was teaching I would bring in a corn snake without having to get parent signatures.

Only difference with that is that there was an ISD and a zoo backing the responsible parties. You'll be on your own.

[RobNJ]

You'll be on your own.

This being the case, I would absolutely not let any child touch my animals(in this scenario). I'd also check into the possibility of needing to obtain a permit to use your animals in an "educational setting"...if needed, and you don't have one, any waiver you could draw up would be completely irrelevant.

[MazAnth]

Absolutely get a waiver! My friend lost his house after his boa bit a scout.

[Homegrownscales]

I did a birthday party for a friend for 6 year olds.
A. You definately need a waiver. Not just for the kids protection but your animals protection. B. bring someone to help you. I brought 2 people to keep the kids in a line. So I didn't get mobbed. Also kids don't realize how they're touching. So make sure you outline how exactly you want the kids to touch the animals. I simply told them 2 fingers and pointed out where for them to touch and showed them as well.
I'll just say I was excited as well to educate kids but it's not something I would ever do again. Or perhaps I would just not the same way or set up they had. Some kids are just not very nice to animals. I had a couple kids that just wanted to be mean and they lost the privilege to touch the animals. So keep your guard up and make sure you have the waivers and lots of HELP!


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[tcutting]

also make sure that if you bring the rats you bring them out last so there is as little of their sent in the air as possible.