A neurotypical woman has opened Britain’s first autism petting zoo, reports have confirmed.
“For many people, a petting zoo is their first opportunity to meet a real autistic,” explained zoo founder Deborah Whitehead, 54. “Apart from your weird colleague, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter one in the wild. Except your dad. And maybe his dad.”
Autism keeper Liz McHodge, 30, explained: “Usually petting zoos include animals like guinea pigs and rabbits. But autistic people are so cute, we don’t actually see them as human beings.”
“Our newest arrival came last week,” Whitehead added: “He wouldn’t have survived in the wild on his own. Not with all those buttons and shoelaces.”
“I was on the train to an anime convention by myself and now I’m here,” autistic man Jay Chester, 25, said, banging on the walls of his hutch. “What the fuck is going on?”
Members of the public chorused: “Aw, look at the sweet little autistic!”
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