Austin Bold FC is moving ahead with plans for “Farmer in the Del Valle Night,” shrugging off concerns raised by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

In a tweet Monday afternoon, PETA called on the Bold to cancel the promotion, which encourages fans to bring farm animals to the match Wednesday against Phoenix Rising FC. The team is offering free admission to anybody who shows up with one or more of the following: chicks, ducks, geese, goats, cows, pigs, turkeys, sheep, horses, llamas and donkeys.

“We are urging @AustinBoldFC to cancel this!” PETA tweeted from its official account. “It is reckless & dangerous to bring live animals to a sporting event. It’s an extremely stressful environment for animals who will be frightened by the crowds, sounds, & chaos. Animals don’t belong in a sports stadium!”

The organization also wrote a letter to Bobby Epstein, the Bold's majority owner and Circuit of the Americas chairman, that referenced the Sugar Bowl incident earlier this year when the University of Texas’ longhorn Bevo charged University of Georgia bulldog mascot Uga.

"It's indefensible to subject animals to the confusion and stress of being packed up, hauled to a soccer game, and subjected to rowdy fans and other animals, all to save the cost of a ticket,” PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said in a statement to the American-Statesman. "PETA is calling on Austin Bold to pull the plug on this cheap stunt and to pledge to keep all animals out of the equation in the future."

Reached on Monday, COTA representatives said they have seriously considered the safety and care of the animals, as well as fans attending the event. The animals will not be kept inside the stadium, but rather in pens on a grassy area alongside the racetrack, near Turns 19 and 20, about a quarter-mile from the 5,036-seat soccer venue, according to COTA officials.

A veterinarian and professional handlers will be on site, along with 4-H students to watch over the pens. Cars will not be on the track during the soccer match.

“They clearly aren’t familiar with the site,” COTA Executive Vice President Rick Abbott said, responding to the PETA concerns. “We absolutely agree that we don’t want to stress out the animals. Keep in mind, no one’s forcing anyone to bring one. The animals will be on a grass meadow, not in the crowds, and people will have to make an effort to visit them. They shouldn’t experience noise as loud as a tractor.”

The large footprint of COTA and its proximity to farms in the Del Valle community were part of the inspiration for the promotion. Last Thursday, Epstein wore a Del Valle High School T-shirt while clutching a rooster from a local petting zoo for cameras. A scarf-wearing llama, a calf, baby goats, pot-bellied pigs and ducklings stood in the grass underneath the northeast goal, leading some to believe the animals would be closer to the field for the match. That will not be the case.

A portion of the proceeds from the match will go to a local 4-H chapter, and the first 100 attendees will receive a free cowbell.

What could keep the event from moving forward is bad weather. Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday evening, and Abbott said COTA will be closely monitoring the situation. He urged those attending to check Austin Bold FC’s social media accounts for updates should the game or the farm animal promotion be canceled.