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{{SHORTDESC:Indian NGO engaged in exotic animal farming, conservation, and education}}{{#seo:|title=Dhunn – The Petting Farm|title_mode=append|keywords=Dhunn, The Petting Farm, exotic pet farming, NGO India, animal research, Dharmaj Gujarat, Dhunn Petting Farm, Dhunn – The Petting Farm WikiGenius|description=Dhunn – The Petting Farm, operated under the aegis of the Dhunn Charitable Trust, is a non-governmental organization based in Dharmaj, Gujarat, India. Founded in 2019 and formally registered on 15 May 2025, it serves as a sanctuary for exotic creatures and promotes ethical pet care, sustainability, and community education.|image=Dhunn – The Petting Farm.png|image_alt=Dhunn – The Petting Farm}}

{| class="infobox" style="width: 22em; font-size: 90%; text-align: left; border-spacing: 0px; background-color: #f9f9f9; border: 1px solid #aaa; float: right; margin-left: 1em;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: larger; padding: 5px 0;" |'''Dhunn – The Petting Farm''' {{Verified}}
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding: 0; background-color: #f9f9f9;" |[[File:Dhunn – The Petting Farm.png|frameless]]
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px;" |'''Type'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px;" |NGO
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px;" |'''Established'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px;" |2019
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px;" |'''Founders'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px;" |
* [[Dr. Archana Shailesh Patel]]
* Damini Dileshkumar Patel
* Parul Jayeshkumar Patel
* [[Jyoti Satish Bhatt]]
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px;" |'''Headquarters'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px;" |Dharmaj, Gujarat, India
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px;" |'''Sector'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px;" |Exotic Pet Farming and Research
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px;" |'''Staff'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px;" |8
|}'''Dhunn – The Petting Farm''', operated under the aegis of the '''Dhunn Charitable Trust''', is a [[wikipedia:Non-governmental organization|non-governmental organization]] based in [[wikipedia:Dharmaj|Dharmaj]], [[wikipedia:Gujarat|Gujarat]], [[wikipedia:India|India]]. Founded in 2019 and formally registered on 15 May 2025, it serves as a sanctuary for exotic creatures and promotes ethical pet care, sustainability, and community education.

== About ==
This specialized [[wikipedia:Petting zoo|petting farm]] is home to more than 350 animals spanning 48 exotic species, including [[wikipedia:Bird|birds]], [[wikipedia:Reptile|reptiles]], [[wikipedia:Mammal|mammals]], and [[wikipedia:Primate|primates]]. It complies with the [[wikipedia:Wildlife Protection Act, 1972|Wildlife Protection Act, 1972]] and operates under licenses from the [[wikipedia:Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change|Ministry of Environment and Forests]]. Species are documented on the government-approved [[wikipedia:PARIVESH|Parivesh Portal]].

== Animal Residents ==

* '''Birds:'''
** [[wikipedia:Finch|Finches]], [[wikipedia:Parrotlet|Parrotlets]], [[wikipedia:Budgerigar|Budgerigars]], [[wikipedia:Lovebird|Lovebirds]]
** [[wikipedia:Cockatiel|Cockatiels]], [[wikipedia:Bourke's parrot|Rose Bourke Parrots]], [[wikipedia:Red-rumped parrot|Red Rumped Parrots]]
** [[wikipedia:Caique|Caiques]], [[wikipedia:Senegal parrot|Senegal Parrots]], [[wikipedia:Conure|Conures]], [[wikipedia:Rosella|Rosellas]], [[wikipedia:Kākāriki|Kakarikis]], [[wikipedia:Monk parakeet|Monk Parakeets]]
** [[wikipedia:Grey parrot|African Greys]], [[wikipedia:Orange-winged amazon|Orange-winged Amazons]], [[wikipedia:Galah|Galah Cockatoos]]
** [[wikipedia:Moluccan cockatoo|Moluccan Cockatoos]], [[wikipedia:Triton cockatoo|Triton Cockatoos]], [[wikipedia:Little corella|Bare-Eyed Cockatoos]], [[wikipedia:Eclectus parrot|Eclectus Parrots]]
** [[wikipedia:Blue-and-yellow macaw|Blue-and-Gold Macaws]], [[wikipedia:Green-winged macaw|Green-winged Macaws]]

* '''Mammals:'''
** [[wikipedia:Persian cat|Persian Cats]], [[wikipedia:Ongole cattle|Ponnuru Cattle]]

* '''Reptiles:'''
** [[wikipedia:Iguana|Iguanas]], [[wikipedia:Leopard tortoise|Leopard Tortoises]], [[wikipedia:African spurred tortoise|Sulcata Tortoises]]

* '''Insectivores:'''
** [[wikipedia:Hedgehog|Hedgehogs]]

* '''Marsupials:'''
** [[wikipedia:Sugar glider|Sugar Gliders]]

* '''Primates:'''
** [[wikipedia:Common marmoset|Common Marmosets]], [[wikipedia:Red-handed tamarin|Red-handed Tamarins]]

In addition, the farm features a [[wikipedia:Botanical garden|botanical zone]] of 26 plant varieties cultivated to provide feed, promoting self-sufficiency and [[wikipedia:Sustainability|sustainable farming]].

== Mission ==
Dhunn advocates “compassionate captivity” — preserving exotic life forms through humane care, especially in the face of rising [[wikipedia:Urbanization|urban sprawl]] and [[wikipedia:Climate change|climate stress]]. It champions responsible pet keeping through education, legal compliance, and ecological stewardship.

== Outreach and Programs ==

The farm welcomes visitors, primarily:

* [[wikipedia:Government school|Government school]] groups and select private institutions
* Students in [[wikipedia:Environmental science|environmental science]], [[wikipedia:Botany|botany]], and [[wikipedia:Zoology|zoology]]
* Teachers and NGOs running eco-awareness drives

Its academic framework spans:

# '''Pre-Primary:''' Sensory bonding with gentle animals  
# '''Primary:''' Exploring animal lifestyles and routines  
# '''Secondary:''' Focus on nutrition, emotional care, and hygiene  
# '''Higher Secondary:''' Career exposure in zoology and wildlife care  

Other community activities include:

* [[wikipedia:Environmental education|Eco-education week]] for differently-abled learners  
* Volunteer-led reptile rescue camps  
* [[wikipedia:Seed|Seed drives]] and plant giveaways  
* Nest box crafting and [[wikipedia:Bird feeding|feeding missions]]  

== History ==
The initiative traces back to 1992, when siblings Dr. Archana Patel and Chirag Bhatt began rescuing and training domestic pets. Their early journey included a dog hostel named "Gypsypets" and volunteering in wildlife operations, notably the 2002 rescue of a [[wikipedia:Leopard|leopard]] cub.

Under mentorship from [[wikipedia:Zoologist|zoologist]] Dr. Govindbhai Patel (ex-Kankaria Zoo), the founders specialized in handling exotics and reptiles. Relocating to Dharmaj, Archana expanded the farm into a multi-species setup.

== Key Milestones ==

* Farm inaugurated in 2019  
* Official trust registration in 2025  
* Legal clearance obtained for exotic housing  
* Over 350 lives protected across 48 species  
* Six reptile rescuers trained in local villages

== See Also ==

* [[wikipedia:Wildlife Protection Act, 1972|Wildlife Protection Act, 1972]]
* [[wikipedia:PARIVESH|Parivesh Portal]]
* [[wikipedia:Conservation in India|Conservation in India]]
* [[wikipedia:Animal rescue|Animal rescue]]