What is the minimum age to participate?

Children must be at least 5 years old; anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

How many people can join a private encounter?

Groups are limited to six paying participants to protect animal welfare and ensure a focused experience.

Can I touch all the animals?

Interactions are keeper-guided and vary by species—some animals allow touch under supervision while others are viewing-only for safety.

Is the encounter outdoors?

Much of the program is outdoors with covered or shaded enclosures; programming may change with weather.

Can I reschedule or get a refund?

Bookings can be canceled or rescheduled up to three days after purchase; after that a $25 rescheduling fee applies and refunds are not offered for cancelled bookings.

Are feed buckets included?

Feed buckets are not included but are available for purchase at $10 each for supervised barnyard feeding.

Gentle Giants Encounter: Kangaroo & Capybara at Scatter Joy Acres (Murray, NE)

Scatter Joy Acres sits just off Waverly Road in Murray, Nebraska, offering a one-hour private animal encounter that feels more like a small, hands-on wildlife clinic than a typical petting zoo. At 4107 Waverly Rd, visitors meet roving ambassadors—from slow-moving sloths to boisterous kangaroos, water-loving otters, and placid capybaras—guided by a keeper who emphasizes animal welfare and education.

The experience centers on six-person private encounters led by trained zookeepers. You’ll gain close but controlled access to select animals, hear their individual stories, and learn species facts that translate to conservation-minded curiosity. Key scene elements include the barnyard pens for llamas, goats, and barn friends; a shaded enclosure where capybaras lounge on warm concrete; the quiet corner that houses a sloth; and viewing areas for porcupines and bushbabies. Scatter Joy Acres balances interactive moments—limited feeding opportunities with purchase of a $10 feed bucket—with staff-controlled touch sessions to keep animals calm and safe.

What sets this encounter apart in rural Nebraska is the mix of exotic ambassadors and familiar farm residents on a compact property that prioritizes education. It’s rare to hold a kangaroo or stand near an otter pool outside a large metropolitan zoo; here, small-group formats make that possible without overwhelming the animals. The program enforces age limits (minimum age five) and footwear rules (no open-toe shoes or Crocs) to protect both guests and residents.

Practical details: bookings are private for up to six people, last about one hour, and can be rescheduled with a fee after three days; cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance. Guests are welcome to explore other parts of the acres after the guided portion. Weather can alter programming, so flexible plans are wise.

Families, wildlife students, and photographers find extra value in the personable interpretation offered by guides—stories about rescue histories and individual behaviors turn each animal into a character you’ll remember. For anyone traveling through Cass County or staying in nearby Omaha or Lincoln, this encounter provides a soft, accessible wildlife experience that complements the region’s outdoor options: river paddling, prairie trails, and state parks. Scatter Joy Acres offers an intimate, educational stop that brings unexpected species into clear view, sparking curiosity without spectacle.

The staff at Scatter Joy Acres emphasize humane care, enrichment, and socialization; keepers explain dietary needs, enrichment routines, and how each ambassador fits broader conservation narratives. Because every participant must be a paying guest and children under 18 need an adult, the site keeps encounters orderly and focused. Photographers should bring quiet lenses and ask before flash—keepers can often suggest angles and pose opportunities. Whether you’re planning a family outing, educational field trip, or a wildlife-curious stop on a road trip through Nebraska, this experience is low-impact, high-connection.