[Daniel7]

John and Jane Schreiner have a new pet, a month-old giraffe they are raising at their Spokane County home.

By The Associated Press

Jane Schreiner walks her new giraffe, 26-day-old Karson, on her property south of Spokane on Sunday. In about four months, Karson will move to the Schreiner Farms ranch.


TOM SOWA / THE SPOKESMAN REVIEW

Jane Schreiner walks her new giraffe, 26-day-old Karson, on her property south of Spokane on Sunday. In about four months, Karson will move to the Schreiner Farms ranch.

SPOKANE — John and Jane Schreiner have a new pet, a month-old giraffe they are raising at their Spokane County home.

Karson enjoys drinking milk and loves to scamper across the grass on the 13-acre spread he shares with five wallaroos and two kangaroos.

"He may be the only giraffe ever to be raised as a pet in Spokane," John Schreiner told The Spokesman-Review.

Last week, the couple drove across the country, paying "a large, large sum" for the giraffe, which was born at the Natural Bridge Zoo near Roanoke, Va. On Friday, they brought Karson home after a four-day return trip.

In about four months, they plan to move Karson to the 12,000-acre Schreiner Farms ranch in Klickitat County. There, the Schreiners have a menagerie that includes zebras, bison, camels and three adult giraffes.

The Schreiners breed and sell the animals. The biggest sellers to date have been wallaroos, a gentle mammal halfway in size between a wallaby and a kangaroo.

Karson's job will be to breed with the female offspring of Bob, the Schreiners' adult male giraffe.

John and his brother Joe, who co-owns the ranch, have been successful title insurance operators, with two offices in Oregon and 13 in Washington.

Animal breeders say there are fewer than 350 giraffes in zoos and in private possession in the United States. John Schreiner estimates there are fewer than 20 giraffe breeders in the nation.

Karson can expect a life span of up to 30 years. He belongs to the reticulated giraffe subspecies native to Somalia, in eastern Africa.

As far as the Schreiners know, Spokane County has no ordinance stopping them from keeping Karson.

"He's not a carnivore, which is the one concern the county and states are right to control people from raising," said John Schreiner. Giraffes are ruminants, eating leaves and grain, he said.

"I can't see any reason we can't keep him. He's intelligent, gentle and a wonderful creature," he said.

[Bob]

I had the pleasure of being with several adults in the backside of a zoo fantastic animals

[Pippin]

Giraffes are such elegant creatures. I'm glad to hear it'll be on a ranch and have space to scamper around.

I had the pleasure of being with several adults in the backside of a zoo fantastic animals

That must have been a wonderful experience, Bob! Did they let you get up close and personal with the big cats? I would love to see a panther up close especially.

How did that come about?

[Bob]

I was up close to many animals, we visited over 40 major zoos and thru special permission was on the backside.

The standouts were up close touching to elephants, hippos, primates and sloths (in our arms)

[Daniel7]

Originally Posted by Bob

I was up close to many animals, we visited over 40 major zoos and thru special permission was on the backside.

The standouts were up close touching to elephants, hippos, primates and sloths (in our arms)

That's awesome. You're a lucky guy.

[*susan*]

I actually will be getting to go on a tour of the Jacksonville Zoo after hours in two weeks. They said we will have the opportunity to pet a lot of the animals and get much more up close and personal than normal zoo visitors do. I can't wait for this tour!

[Bob]

That is a real nice zoo, also in Fla, Brevard is worth the trip.

[Pippin]

Originally Posted by Bob

I was up close to many animals, we visited over 40 major zoos and thru special permission was on the backside.

The standouts were up close touching to elephants, hippos, primates and sloths (in our arms)

Fabulous. I'm jealous.

Originally Posted by *susan*

I actually will be getting to go on a tour of the Jacksonville Zoo after hours in two weeks. They said we will have the opportunity to pet a lot of the animals and get much more up close and personal than normal zoo visitors do. I can't wait for this tour!

You lucky thing, Susan! Sounds like a great day out. Take lots of pics please. Is that a regular thing they offer or some kind of special event?

[*susan*]

Actually, a friend of mine belongs to a group called "up and coming business leaders" or something along those lines. The group is going on the tour, and they are allowed to invite one guest. I am fortunate enough to be the guest she has invited.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by *susan*

Actually, a friend of mine belongs to a group called "up and coming business leaders" or something along those lines. The group is going on the tour, and they are allowed to invite one guest. I am fortunate enough to be the guest she has invited.

I don't suppose they would allow You to invite one guest also? hint hint. Please don't forget the camera!!!