Petting Zoos | Huron Perth Public Health

Interactive animal exhibits (e.g. petting zoos, open farms, animal rides, and animal displays), are fun and educational experiences for visitors, but they can also make people sick if you don't take the proper precautions. Learn about requirements and guidelines to reduce the risk of potential illness or infection.

Animal Exhibit Organizer

Submit form at least 28 days before the event.

Animal Exhibit Application Form

Requirements

Review the Petting Zoo Organizers Information Package to learn the requirements and recommendations for your petting zoo or animal exhibition.

Handwashing

At a petting zoo, handwashing stations must be:

Located at every exit from and entrance to animal areas
Routinely cleaned and restocked
Accessible to children and persons with disabilities
Equipped with tepid running water, liquid soap in a dispenser and individual paper towels

Water must be from a safe drinking water source.

Sign requirements

Signs must be posted to remind visitors to wash their hands at all entrances to and exits from animal areas.

Rabies vaccinations

According to Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 567: Rabies Immunization, all horses, cows, bulls, steers, calves and sheep in petting zoos or interactive animal displays must be immunized against rabies.

If animals requiring rabies vaccinations are not vaccinated, measures must be taken to ensure that the public doesn't have access to the animals. This may including posting signs asking people not to touch the animals or using a double barrier between these animals and members of the public.

Preventing and controlling injuries

Any animal bite or other animal contact that may result in rabies must be reported immediately to Huron Perth Public Health. Petting zoo operators should:

Ensure first aid facilities are well stocked and conveniently located for staff and the public
Develop written procedures for dealing with injured people and handling animals that escape from enclosures

Recommendations

As a petting zoo operator, you should:

Assign trained staff in animal areas to monitor public activities and encourage appropriate human-animal contact
Maintain proper visitor flow to avoid overcrowding at handwashing stations or in animal areas
Use barriers, gates and signs to discourage uncontrolled access to animals and animal areas
Promptly remove manure and soiled bedding from animal enclosures
Where feasible, clean, rinse and disinfect animal areas at least once per day
When disinfection isn't possible, remove fresh organic material regularly to prevent build-up
Thoroughly clean, rinse and disinfect all areas where animals were displayed before those areas are used for future public (non-animal) events

Food and beverage guidelines

Food and beverage consumption should be separate from animal areas. Make sure to have handwashing stations located between animal areas and food and beverage areas. You shouldn't allow food, beverages, smoking, toys, pacifiers, sippy-cups or bottles in the animal area.

Signage recommendations

Post a sign that the states the rules for the petting zoo:

People with weakened immune systems and infants under 1 year of age should avoid touching or feeding animals
Children under 5 shouldn't come in contact with reptiles, amphibians, birds, young ruminants or their immediate environment
No food, beverages, smoking, toys, pacifiers, sippy-cups or bottles in the animal areas