A North Carolina family says a routine private event turned into a frightening health scare after they hired a mobile petting zoo in Durham County on August 16. They later learned that baby goats from Farm Adventures were part of a confirmed rabies investigation, raising concerns for other people who may have come into contact with the animals.
The North Carolina family shared their experience on the TikTok account tatyyv, where the post gained several million views. They said they were working with public health officials and wanted to alert other families who may have attended Farm Adventures events during the possible exposure period.
Farm Adventures said four baby goats contracted rabies and were euthanized. The farm explained the goats were kept in a separate pen because they were too young to receive vaccinations. According to the farm, a skunk got into the pen sometime between July 27 and July 28 and bit the goats before it was removed.
The farm claimed the goats showed no signs of rabies at the time. It also said it spent hundreds of dollars on veterinary care while trying to determine what was wrong. A necropsy was eventually performed, which led to the rabies discovery.
Potential exposure events listed by the TikToker include locations in Iredell, Mecklenburg, Davidson, Watauga, Burke, Davie and Durham counties. The listed dates range from July 28 through August 23.
The North Carolina family’s August 16 private event in Durham was among the potentially affected dates. They urged anyone who attended a Farm Adventures event during the exposure period to contact public health officials rather than wait for symptoms.
North Carolina Family’s Rabies Scare Sparks Concern
The story sparked concern and confusion among viewers, with some questioning whether the goats should have been quarantined after a skunk was found in their pen. Others asked how the goats could have been bitten without the risk being recognized, while several people said the situation had made them rethink petting zoos.
The need for rabies shots also caught people’s attention, with commenters asking questions about how quickly treatment needs to happen after exposure and whether farm animals are routinely vaccinated like household pets.
There was also sympathy for the goats, along with concern about the cost and urgency of rabies treatment. One commenter wrote, “Send the bill to that petting zoo because I’m pretty sure this treatment is $$$$$$$.” What was supposed to be a family day with baby goats ended with a much less cute souvenir: a potential rabies exposure.
