Can you hold one of the animals even though you are not buying them? My daughter is going to get one here but not for a year. She has to prove to me that she can take care of the animal herself.

May I suggest that once you are sure your daughter meets your approval for being responsible enough for a pet that you then begin looking. Having the patience to pick the right one is a lesson in itself. A pet is not a belonging they are entities that live and breath and should be treated as such.

Yes, like James said, ask an employee and if they feel comfortable with that person holding the animals, be it adult or child, they will help them with it.

Just ask the people that work there... a lot of the time they will let you hold the animals