Visitor’s Center
The Purina Farms®: Visitor's Center incorporates an Incredible Dog Arena, a Pet Center with dogs and cats, a full-size barn containing domestic farm animals, an indoor theater, concession and hospitality areas, a gift shop as well as an informational center. Action-packed canine demonstrations of diving dog and flying disc, hands-on petting areas, hayloft tunnels and tractor-drawn wagon rides around the property are some of the highlights of this popular attraction, which draws animal lovers from around the country.
ATTENTION KIDS: On your next visit, bring us a photo of your favorite pet to put on the Purina Farms Board of Fame for everyone to see!
Hours of Operation
Open seasonally mid-March through mid-November, closed all major Holidays.
Reservations Required. Call 314-982-3232 or 888-688-PETS (7387)
RESERVATION LINES OPEN M-F FROM 9AM - 4PM
Summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Open Tuesday to Sunday - Reservations starting at 9:30 am and running through 3:00 pm, closing at 4:00 pm. Canine demonstrations in the Incredible Dog Arena take place daily at 11a.m., 1p.m. and 3p.m.
Spring and Fall
Open Wednesday to Friday - Reservations starting at 9:30 am and running through 1:00 pm, closing at 3:00 p.m. Canine demonstrations in the Incredible Dog Arena take place daily at 11a.m. and 1p.m.
Saturday and Sunday - Reservations starting at 9:30 am and running through 3:00 pm, closing at 4:00 pm. Canine demonstrations in the Incredible Dog Arena take place daily at 11a.m., 1p.m. and 3p.m.
Free admission and parking, however, a nominal parking fee may be charged for special events.
Individuals and groups are welcome.
Please, no picnics.
Special Annual Holiday Events
Each season, Purina Farms hosts special annual events that feature activities not offered during regular days of business. From egg hunts to trick or treating to trackless trains and bounce houses, kids can celebrate their favorite holidays at Purina Farms at one of these must-attend events:
The Visitor's Center
The Purina Farms Visitor's Center offers an educational experience by providing exhibits that help explain to owners how to determine the optimal diet for their pet based on its health and nutritional status. In addition, a 75-seat theater offers an ongoing video presentation, live shows on select days, and interactive games.
Visitors can experience the excitement of operating a pet food factory in a hands-on exhibit that demonstrates Purina's expertise in creating leading dog and cat foods. Plus, displays and a timeline help to connect visitors with the history of Purina.
While at the Visitor's Center, animal lovers can browse through the Purina Farms gift shop to pick up collectibles and apparel. Food services also are provided at the Visitor's Center along with tractor-drawn wagon rides around the property that start at the steps of the Visitor's Center.
Incredible Dog Arena
The Incredible Dog Arena plays host to some of the most talented canines in the country who perform exciting daily demonstrations of freestyle flying disc, agility and diving dog as part of the Pro Plan Performance Team. Most of the dogs featured in the shows are rescues proving that no matter a dog's background or upbringing that any dog has the ability to be truly incredible with good nutrition, proper training and lots of love.
Spectators can watch as dogs of many different breeds leap into the air to catch a flying disc, run down a ramp and dive into a 50 ft, heated pool, or maneuver through a series of jumps and obstacles in an agility course.
The Purina Farms trainers are always available to answers questions from the crowd on how to get started in the wonderful world of canine sports or how to best care for the family pet.
Click here to view the Pro Plan Performance Team in Action
The Pet Center
The Pet Center allows visitors to view dozens of dogs and cats that call Purina Farms home. The building's key attraction is a 20-foot-tall, multilevel cat house, complete with windows, stairways, rocking chairs and other furnishings, creating a feline paradise. A staircase surrounding the structure provides visitors with an eye-level view of the cat house's inhabitants.
The Pet Center also features educational displays and videos that help visitors better understand their pets and the role pets play in our lives. A unique display lets visitors experience the scents a dog's sensitive nose perceives while walking through a field.
The Pet Center's staff of professional handlers conducts grooming demonstrations throughout the day and is available to answer questions on pet care and training.
Click here to view photos of Visitor's Center activities
The Barn and Play Area
The Barn and Play Area allow visitors to interact with a variety of domestic animals found on a typical working farm. Crawl through tunnels in the Barn's hayloft, play with toy tractors in the corn troughs, swing on a rope or take a turn milking a cow at demonstrations that happen throughout the day. The Barn and Play area are geared toward fun and education for children as well as adults.
The two-story Barn houses sheep, horses, cows, hogs, rabbits, chickens and other barnyard animals. A petting ring in the Barn's nursery area allows children to get up-close and personal with baby bunnies, chicks and piglets.
An enclosed area next to the Barn features scheduled performances of herding dogs, demonstrating their expertise at corralling farm animals. The demonstrations provide a firsthand look at how dogs have been used through the ages to work "hand-in-paw" with man.
Birthday Parties
We would love to host your child's birthday here at Purina Farms. Depending on the time of year, the party can take place in an outdoor hospitality tent right between the Purina Farms gift shop and the Pet Center where all the dogs and cats reside. All parties must take place on Saturday or Sunday between 10AM - 2PM.
Parties consist of the following:
- Box lunches with a choice of either corn dog or chicken nuggets along with chips, dessert and a 12 oz. soda or milk carton
- Cupcakes bearing the images of some of our barnyard and domestic animals that call Purina Farms home
- 20% off a gift from the Purina Farms gift shop for every child at the party
- A group wagon ride around the property and up close and personal photo opportunities with some of the animals that call Purina Farms home
- The birthday boy or girl is acknowledged during the Pro Plan Performance Team Dog Show and he or she can participate in a photo opportunity with the trainers. (Note: on certain occasions, at the trainers' discretion, the birthday boy or girl could have a volunteer role in the Show)
- A Purina Farms tour guide will periodically check on the party and reserve great seats for the group at the Pro Plan Performance Team Dog Show
- Printed Purina Farms invitations to send to friends and family
NOTE: The food must be picked up by a member of the party at the Purina Farms Concession stand. It will not be delivered to the party. To reserve your birthday party and ask about rates, call (314) 982-3232.
Click here to view the Purina Farms Birthday Parties Flyer
Purina Farms Introduction to Dog Sports Camps
All of the sessions are now FULL. Stay tuned for more camps in 2013.
What: Kids ages 8-12 have the exciting opportunity to work alongside the Pro Plan Performance Team trainers at Purina Farms to not only learn about three of the most popular canine sports (diving dog, agility and freestyle flying disc), but to also perform with the rescued dogs that make up the Team. While attending the one-day camp, kids will pick up grooming and nutrition tips to help them care for their own pets as well as gain some valuable lessons in responsible pet care. All attendees will receive an “Honorary Pro Plan Performance Team” t-shirt, Purina Farms water bottle, branded frame and a flying disc. Lunch will be provided at noon, and then parents are invited to attend the 3 p.m. dog show to watch their kids and their new canine friends, in action!
When: Five different sessions: Saturday, May 12, 2012; Wednesday, June 13, 2012; Wednesday, July 11, 2012; and Wednesday, August 8, 2012.
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Starting March 17, call 314-982-3232 to sign-up!
Field Trips
Thousands of St. Louis-area school children each year travel to Purina Farms on field trips. The educational emphasis of Purina Farms makes it perfect for integrating into the curriculum of preschool and elementary school students. For more information on scheduling a field trip to Purina Farms, call (314) 982-3232 or click here to get more details.
During the off-season—December through February—Purina Farms offers a fun and educational program called "Pets Go To School" that focus on the role pets play in our lives and the importance of responsible pet ownership. Visit the "Community Outreach" tab on the Purina Farms website to find out how local schools can book the program.