Petting Zoo

Area Requirements: The most important part of starting a petting zoo is the facility for housing the animals. You need to have at least a 10 acre area to start your zoo. The place should be within city limits so that its easier for parents to bring their children. Also, you should make sure of all the legalities involved, that is, if the location has no restrictions on housing certain animals. If you want to run a business from your home, tax, permit, licenses and other related requirements should be taken care of.

Selection of Animals: The next important requirement is animals. You need to buy pets based on the space you have at your facility. You should choose animals that are easy to care and are not found easily as pets at homes. Calculate the cost of caring for the animals. It maybe necessary sometimes for them to share cages or the outdoor spaces. Therefore, it is important to choose animals that will interact and live mutually without any issue with each other. Animals that are comfortable around humans and don't mind being touched or ridden by strangers should be chosen. Also, animals who are not a threat to children should be kept in your petting zoo. You can visit a local farm or a vet for advice.

Housing the Animals: Once you have selected and bought your animals, get your house and facility ready before their arrival. Make sure you have properly demarcated the areas and cages where every individual animal or a group of animals are to be housed. It is advisable to have a shed area or barn area where animals are housed and a display area where visitors can meet the animals. Build proper fences to limit run-aways and proper shades so that the animals are safe from bad weather and rains. Vaccinate all your animals from potential diseases that can strike all species. Take care of their health and keep those animals which are sick, away from the display area.

Area for Displaying Animals: Choose an area where you can display your petting zoo. It should be decorated with a theme that will be fun for the kids and matches the petting zoo idea. This area has to be safe for the kids and the pet animals. Display sign boards with proper instructions and point out from the start the guidelines required while petting an animal and that harassment of the animals won't be tolerated.

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