It’s normal for Susie Thompson to have to explain the background noises provided by a small pig when she talks on the phone. But along with excusing the little animal, she’ll also explain to the caller how talented the pig is and talk about its many attributes as a species.
Thompson is the owner and operator of the Little Bitty Ranch in Kalispell, an educational and interactive animal center on West Reserve. The idea behind the ranch is to provide a space for children and their families to interact with animals, all the while teaching them to respect and have compassion for other creatures.
“It used to be that we were an agricultural place and everybody had a horse in the backyard and everybody had a dog and animals. They’re not doing that anymore,” Thompson said.
A Sunday school teacher and horse-riding instructor, Thompson said the idea for the ranch came to her after seeing the excitement in the eyes of students when they worked with the animals.
Not everyone can afford a large yard or animals to go in it these days, Thompson said, and she feels those who cannot are missing out on part of a special tradition in Montana.
The ranch idea quickly began to come to fruition, and Thompson is working to install interpretive signage to educate her visitors on the various creatures living there. Some of those animals include Tom Turkey, horses Star, Sonia and Stormy, Jack the miniature donkey and miniature horses CleoPatra, Chuck and Barbie.
And since it is an educational center, entrance is free, Thompson said, and donations are accepted. To help fund the ranch, community donors can sponsor a picnic table in the picnic area. Columbia Falls Cenex Harvest States has already donated $500 for a table, Thompson said, and Flathead Living magazine has donated all the signage.
Thompson hopes to open the ranch in May, and is still waiting to learn if she will be awarded larger grants she applied for. Prospects for funding look good, Thompson said, and more community support is always appreciated.
The project has been like the movie “Field of Dreams,” Thompson said, because she knew if she built the ranch, children and families would visit and enjoy it.
“It’s a place for kids to come and interact with the animals,” Thompson said. “Come and have a great time here.”
The Little Bitty Ranch is located at 95 West Reserve in Kalispell. For more information, visit http://littlebittyranch.com or call 885-6441.
UPDATE: The Beacon misidentified the Cenex Harvest States as the Columbia Falls High School as a picnic table donor. The Beacon regrets the error.