Animals at business

Clarence Shirrell doesn't charge admission to his zoo -- he actually encourages people to check out his collection of animals. Shirrell's zoo doubles as his business, Concrete Castings, which is just north of Jackson. The collection of llamas, a camel, zebra, swans and other animals are good for his business, Shirrell said.

Clarence Shirrell brought home Ulysses the zebra in December 2005. Today he can be seen from the interstate in front of Concrete Castings in Jackson. (Diane L. Wilson)

ABOVE: Clarence Shirrell's Concrete Castings business is in Jackson.

"But I do love them. I wouldn't be able to afford them if they didn't bring people out here," he said Thursday.

Miss C -- Shirrell's pregnant camel -- draws the most attention from drivers along Interstate 55. The camel, which will be 4 years old Tuesday, will deliver a calf in early June.

"People come in here almost daily and ask about Miss C," Shirrell said. "They may not buy anything at my business, but they are impressed."

Each of Shirrell's animals has a distinct personality. Miss C will affectionately nuzzle Shirrell's face, while his pet zebra can be a little feisty.

Ulysses the zebra -- or as Shirrell's wife calls him, "Useless" -- wanders around in his cage near the entrance of Shirrell's business.

"I spoil him, but he can be a little mouthy," Shirrell said of Ulysses. "You definitely don't want to put your fingers near his mouth."

Ulysses is a Grant zebra, and his fur is supposed to turn black and white once he looses his baby hair. However, Shirrell likes the brown and white zebra.

"I like him well enough I wouldn't care if his hair is purple," he said.

Next to the zebra cage is a miniature horse named Peanuts. Early last Thursday morning, another miniature horse, Clementine, gave birth to a baby horse. The baby horse stands about one-and-a-half feet tall. Shirrell isn't sure yet if the horse is a boy or a girl.

Miss C has been an icon in front of Clarence Shirrell's business in Jackson for several years. Soon there will be two camels because Miss C is pregnant.

Clarence Shirrell's miniature horse walked with her foal, which was born less than 24 hours earlier, on Thursday.

The newborn horse isn't the only baby in his collection -- Shirrell also has a 1-month-old llama named Annie. Last Sunday, Annie's mother died from what Shirrell believed was stress.

"I bought both of them from an auction a couple of weeks ago, and the mama just died," he said. "Unfortunately every time you have animals, you have deaths. You get criticized a lot because of that, but I've invested enough money into them that I don't want them to die."

Shirrell started collecting his animals in 1983 when he had a concrete business in Chaffee, Mo. He started out with several goats and added animals whenever his budget allowed.

"I'm very blessed, and I love all of my animals," Shirrell said. "It's good for business, and I've been thrilled with the results. The animals really complement my concrete castings."

Concrete Castings is at 1203 Larch Lane off the Fruitland exit. The animals are available for viewing during all hours of the day.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246