Where hearts grow, animals may follow

Cody McCord, 30, co-owner of Avalon Farm LLC, sits among the kangaroos and plays with them after a day of farm chores and managing field trips to the farm. The kangaroos reside at the front of the property, away from the rest of the petting zoo.

For Cody McCord, each fall morning begins with a soft pink and orange sunrise and distant moos, baas and squawks.

A year ago, Cody, 30, and his fiancée, Marissa Thompson, 29, opened The Avalon Farm LLC petting zoo. The zoo now hosts dozens of animals from an array of origins. Kangaroos bounce across fields. South American coatis use their pensive eyes to evoke pets from onlookers. Goats routinely find themselves stuck in the fencing.

The farm started as a dream three years ago and quickly shifted to a plan. Marissa, a full-time dental assistant, loves animals. When she and Cody met as adults, after growing up together in Winchester as friends from first grade through high school, she quickly warned him of the wildlife to come.

“It’s been a rollercoaster,” he said.

Cody was hesitant at first, occupied by the fencing business that he still manages, and not imagining a future surrounded by a lot of animals. His perspective quickly changed.

“I’ve seen his love for animals grow since he’s been with me,” Marissa said.

Cody McCord does the heavier work around the farm. He feeds the large animals, takes care of water for the pastures and does the haying. He looks at life differently now, appreciating it more, he said, as Marissa’s dream comes to life.

“The next hour isn’t promised to us,” Cody said. “So I feel like everyone should live life one day at a time and to the fullest.”

The fall, with its middle-ground temperatures and beautiful scenery, brings the most visitors to the zoo, Cody said. School buses churn the chilled gravel below and children, wearing puffy coats and sweaters, flood in for a chance to feel fuzzy animals and take a hayride to a pumpkin patch.

Cody said he hopes to see a future where the business is prosperous. He paused, his eyes fixated on the winding roads of eastern Kentucky and softening for a moment.

“But to be completely honest, I don’t really care if it makes money,” he said. “It’s literally there for Marissa, and it keeps her happy. So if she’s happy, I’m happy.”