business plan for a petting zoo

• Chickens & Poultry
• Horses & Donkeys
• Farm Equipment & Tractors
• Fences, Sheds & Barns
• Canning & Kitchen
• Homesteading
• Self-Reliance

Complimentary

• Free Guides
• Free Newsletter

Web Stories

• KuneKune Pigs
• Sustainable Roses
• Tractors for Small Farms
• MEMBERS ONLY
• Manage My Account
• Experts on Staff
• Renew Your Subscription
• Store Discounts
• Subscribe Now
• Canning & Kitchen
• Tractors & Farm Equipment
• Free Shipping
• Ask the Expert

Starting a Petting Zoo Business

Choose the best petting zoo animals and services for your customers.

Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Angela von Weber-Hahnsberg Have you ever thought of starting a petting zoo business? H ave you ever smiled at the sight of a teen’s cool facade vanishing, as they tentatively cup their hands to hold a fuzzy little duckling for the very first time? Or chuckled to see a toddler following a goat on unsteady legs, giggling delightedly, pudgy little arms outstretched? And in addition to all these warm fuzzies, do you need to bring in some extra money to pay the bills each month, or maybe even replace a lost income? Then why not make use of the resources you already have on hand — farm animals, land, and a love of sharing them with others — and try starting a petting zoo business?

As a way to generate income from a small family farm, starting a petting zoo business can make a lot of sense. If you already have an assortment of animals, then you’ve most likely already got the pens to keep them in. You’re already feeding and caring for them. Why not take the few extra steps needed to start a money-making agriculture business  from the things you already do every day?

Putting together a detailed business plan is the best way to begin. The first thing you’ll need to decide is whether your petting zoo will be mobile or located on your property — or both! If you already have a trailer, and cages to transport smaller animals in, then a mobile petting zoo is a no-brainer. All you’ll need to add to the mix are portable pens to set up on location. Dianne Condarco, owner of Rancho Condarco, a mobile petting zoo based in Bailey, Texas, has this advice: “All of your animal transportation equipment needs to stay in good repair at all times. You also need to carry full coverage (insurance) on your vehicle. My husband has designed fencing for us that is sturdy and easy to carry and set up. We bought cages that open from the top to carry our small animals in, to make it easier to take them in and out. If you buy your cages and supplies in bulk, it will help keep your costs down.”

If you’d like to open your farm to the public, first double-check your zoning. Are there any deed restrictions on your land? Then take some time to consider the following: do you have an area that can be used for parking? What will be the ramifications of the increased traffic to your area? Is your current farm set-up conducive to a great guest experience, or does it need to be changed? Dave Erickson, owner of Erickson’s Petting Zoo in Osakis, Minnesota, has experience in this area: “Location is very important, also. Those who are close to major population centers have it the easiest for drawing large numbers of people.”

Your next consideration should be which services you’ll offer your customers. For an onsite petting zoo: Will your farm have certain hours when it’s open for business every day, or will you open by appointment only? Will you offer birthday or school field trip packages? What about holiday events, like pumpkin patches for Halloween, or bunnies and chicks at Easter? And for a mobile operation: Will you work at large festivals? Birthday parties at private residences? Educational presentations at schools and libraries? How many hours will you stay at each event? Remember to take set-up, breakdown, and cleaning into consideration! Erickson gives us his own set-up as an example: “Our petting zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Our daily traffic varies from just a few families to more. We also host school trips in the spring and fall, travel to nursing homes and assisted living homes, and operate a mobile petting zoo and pony rides for festivals and fairs. From mid-September to Halloween, it’s the busy season on the farm, with our pick-your-own pumpkin patch and corn maze. As we have found out, families really enjoy coming out to a real farm to get their pumpkin. We offer a full range of fun activities for the whole family to make a day out of their trip.”

The next decision you’ll need to make regarding starting a petting zoo business is which animals you’ll include. Condarco cautions, “Start small and grow as your business grows. Stay lean, and work smarter, not harder, by not having more animals than you need to provide your service.” You may be surprised to learn that there are different USDA laws regulating the care and exhibition of different animals. For example, throwing a few cuddly puppies in with your mix of farm animals might sound like a good idea — until you realize that the exhibition of cats and dogs is governed by a completely different (and much more complicated) set of rules than that of livestock. Guinea pigs and hamsters have their own set of rules, as do rabbits. So before you add Thumper or Hammy to the menagerie, you’ll want to read through the law and see if the additional effort and expense are worth the benefit of including these animals.

S peaking of the USDA regulations, the next step you take should be to order the Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations booklet from the USDA or access it online at www.aphis.usda.gov . Before you begin building new pens and duck shelters , or buying crates to transport animals in, you’ll need a thorough understanding of the rules governing animal enclosures. Ensuring that your petting zoo facilities are up to snuff is vital to the success of your business because you will have to be inspected and licensed as an exhibitor by the USDA before you can open to the public. Condarco tells us, “I was scared of the USDA licensing process — it looked so complicated. But my daughter just kept telling me to do it. She got the paperwork for me, and it really wasn’t as hard to do as I thought.”

Getting your “Class C” license isn’t difficult, as long as you follow the rules. Those rules specify not only how your enclosures should be built, but also how your animals should be cared for. They dictate minimum cleaning and feeding schedules, as well as require that a veterinarian be formally retained by your petting zoo in order to monitor the animals’ health, such as chicken ailments . You will also be responsible for keeping records outlining your animals’ program of veterinary care, as well as the details of all animal purchases.

Once you have everything in place, you can pay the application fee of $10, and invite the USDA inspector for a visit. If you pass the inspection, you’ll be required to pay an annual licensing fee based on the number of animals in your petting zoo. For example, for 6 to 25 animals, you’ll pay $85, while a license for 26 to 50 animals will cost you $185. But be careful not to let your level of compliance slip — inspectors will make surprise visits every once in a while to make sure that everything is still hunky-dory.

At this point, you’ll want to get a solid insurance policy to cover your fledgling business. No matter how many safety precautions you take, mixing kids and animals is always unpredictable. And as Condarco reminds us, “Liability insurance is important to protect yourself and your family. Many churches and cities will not even do business with you without it!”

Now, all that remains is to let the world know about your petting zoo. Erickson recommends holding a grand opening event with free admission: “We put an ad in the local newspaper that we were opening a petting zoo with an ‘Open Barn.’ Free food and admission sure work! And the local paper gave us a very nice article on what we were doing.” According to Condarco, “Google Adwords is the most efficient and cost-effective way to get business.” But both agree that a professional-looking website and a presence on Facebook and other social media sites are vital, as well. And of course, word-of-mouth advertising never goes out of style. “When you show up with healthy, clean, and happy animals,” Condarco says, “the word is passed around, and yes, word of mouth is still a great way to get business.”

So why not consider starting a petting zoo business? As Condarco says, “Be aware that you are not going to get rich running a petting zoo. But you can make money and pay your bills. You can be happy and live comfortably.” And Erickson reminds us that not all the benefits are tangible: “The biggest reward has to be the smiles on the faces, young and old, when they get the chance to be up close with the animals.”

Have you considered starting a petting zoo business? What are your concerns?

Originally published in Countryside & Small Stock Journal, September/October 2013 and regularly vetted for accuracy.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment.

Subscribe to Countryside Magazine Today!

What you can do with countryside as your guide.

• Grow and preserve the most nutritious food for you and your family
• Raise healthy animals from pasture to plate
• Cook simply and naturally
• Build things yourself and take pride in your handiwork
• Treat ailments naturally and take control of your own health and longevity
• Fix what is broken so you get the most out of your investments
• Create your own certainty in an uncertain world

Canadian Subscribers • International Subscribers

Canadian subscriptions: 1 year (includes postage & GST)

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

Keep in Touch

Get Your Petting Zoos Business Essentials Today!

Foster growth with 250+ time-saving, business-specific templates. Swift designs, easy tools, all in one place.

Embarking on Your Petting Zoo Adventure

Launching a Petting Zoos business encompasses more than just a love for animals--it's about crafting an enchanting experience that connects people with nature. Before diving in, it's crucial to research local regulations and obtain necessary permits, ensuring that your animal haven complies with all guidelines. Securing a suitable location is paramount, as it sets the stage for your menagerie of gentle creatures. Selecting a variety of friendly animals that thrive on human interaction will create a heartwarming and memorable touchpoint for guests. Design an engaging space using tools like Desygner to produce vibrant signage and educational materials. Building strong relationships with veterinary professionals will ensure the health and wellbeing of your furry and feathered friends.

Diving deeper into the realm of animal encounters, consider the importance of crafting an immersive environment that resonates with both children and adults alike. It's essential to establish robust protocols for animal care and visitor safety, creating a nurturing atmosphere where all can flourish. Incorporate unique features like interactive feeding stations or educational workshops to add layers of engagement to your zoological oasis. Marketing your petting zoo through creative channels can spark excitement and draw in crowds eager for connection with nature's playful companions. Training your staff to deliver exceptional service with a personal touch will enhance the charm of your establishment. Remember, each detail contributes to the tapestry of wonder and education that makes your petting zoo truly special.

Understanding Regulatory Compliance

When considering how to start a petting zoo, one of the foremost challenges is navigating the maze of regulatory compliance. Securing the right permits and licenses can be a complex process, often involving local, state, and federal regulations. It's crucial to ensure you're meeting all animal welfare standards to provide ethical treatment to your animals. Additionally, zoonotic disease prevention must be top of mind to protect both visitors and animals. Thorough research and perhaps consultation with legal experts in this field are essential steps for a solid foundation.

Finding the Right Location

Finding an ideal location is another critical step when exploring how to start a petting zoo. The site needs to be easily accessible for visitors while providing ample space for animals to live comfortably. Zoning laws play a significant role here as not every area permits the establishment of such businesses. Moreover, the proximity of neighbors should be considered due to potential noise or odors emanating from the zoo. Striking a balance between visitor accessibility and animal wellbeing is key.

Investing in Animal Care and Welfare

A successful petting zoo hinges on the health and happiness of its resident animals. This commitment requires significant ongoing investment in veterinary care, proper nutrition, and habitat maintenance. Every species has unique care requirements that must be diligently met. Furthermore, staff must be trained to handle animals safely and educate visitors on appropriate interactions. Prioritizing animal care isn't just ethically sound--it's also good business practice.

Ensuring Visitor Safety and Satisfaction

Your guests' safety is paramount--not only for their well-being but also for the reputation and legal standing of your business. Implementing robust safety protocols helps prevent accidents and ensures everyone has an enjoyable experience. This includes clear signage about rules, well-designed pathways, and barriers where necessary. Training staff in first aid and emergency response is also vital. Lastly, providing excellent customer service will encourage positive reviews and repeat visits.

Budgeting for Your Petting Zoo

An accurate budget is essential when figuring out how to start a petting zoo as it prevents financial oversights that could jeopardize your venture. Startup costs can be substantial--ranging from animal purchases to habitat construction and insurance coverage. Operational expenses also need careful consideration since food, staffing, maintenance, marketing, and unexpected costs can add up quickly. A detailed financial plan will help you stay on track and secure necessary funding or loans.

Boost campaigns with 250+ editable templates. Save, reuse, and wield design tools for business growth.

Marketing Your Petting Zoo Effectively

In today's digital world, marketing your petting zoo effectively is indispensable for attracting visitors. Employing a mix of online strategies like social media engagement as well as traditional advertising such as flyers or local partnerships can boost visibility. Interactive events or educational programs could further set you apart from competitors. Remember that word-of-mouth is particularly powerful in this industry; hence delivering exceptional experiences can lead to organic growth through recommendations.

Building a Caring Team

The team behind your petting zoo plays a pivotal role in its success--employees should share your commitment to animal welfare and customer service excellence. Hiring individuals who possess not only the requisite skills but also genuine enthusiasm can make all the difference. Investing in thorough training programs ensures your staff is knowledgeable and confident in their roles. A supportive team environment encourages better performance, turning daily operations into smooth sailing.

Leveraging Design Tools for Branding

To make your petting zoo stand out visually among potential customers branding is essential; it shapes public perception of your business from the outset.Using design tools like Desygner can help create professional-looking materials without needing expert design skills.You can craft logos, brochures, business cards, or even social media posts that resonate with your brand's image.Desygner's user-friendly interface makes it easy for business owners to maintain consistency across various mediums.Ultimately effectiveness in branding influences both initial attraction and long-term loyalty.

The Importance of a Strong Start for Petting Zoos

Embarking on a petting zoo venture with a well-defined starting strategy can be the cornerstone to a flourishing business. A meticulous beginning ensures that you lay down a robust foundation, fostering an environment where both animals and visitors can thrive. By being systematic and deliberate from the outset, you mitigate potential pitfalls that could otherwise compromise animal welfare and visitor safety--a top priority in this industry.

Commencing your petting zoo journey with clarity and purpose paves the way for a harmonious operation. It allows for thoughtful selection and acquisition of healthy, docile animals that are suitable for interaction with the public. Moreover, it grants you the foresight to implement rigorous health and safety protocols, ensuring a delightful and secure experience for your guests. This attention to detail not only enhances your reputation but also instills confidence in your patrons, often resulting in positive word-of-mouth and repeat visits.

A strategic start is instrumental in shaping visitor impressions. From the moment they enter your establishment, guests should encounter an inviting ambiance radiating warmth and joy. A well-planned startup positions you to offer immersive educational experiences that are engaging, informative, and entertaining. By providing such enriching interactions, you contribute positively to community knowledge about animals while fostering empathy and respect towards them.

In the grand scheme of things, initiating your petting zoo business with precision has far-reaching benefits. It can lead to stable financial growth by setting clear budgetary guidelines that prevent unnecessary expenses early on. Operational efficiency is heightened when you have effective management systems in place from day one--systems that streamline tasks, facilitate staff training and deliver impeccable customer service.

In essence, a well-conceived launch into the petting zoo realm is more than just advantageous--it's transformative. It empowers you to create an enchanting sanctuary where visitors can forge unforgettable connections with nature while supporting animal conservation efforts. So remember, how you start sets the tone for everything that follows; it's the difference between a mere attraction and an esteemed community treasure that positively impacts lives--one pet at a time.

Concluding Thoughts on Starting a Petting Zoo Business

As we wrap up our journey through the fascinating process of starting a petting zoo business, it's important to revisit and underscore the key takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs. The creation of a petting zoo is not only an opportunity to share your love for animals with the community but also a chance to educate and inspire future generations about wildlife and conservation.

First and foremost, remember that thorough research and planning are foundational steps that cannot be overlooked. You'll need to consider zoning laws, obtain necessary permits, and ensure you have appropriate insurance coverage. Additionally, designing engaging enclosures that are both safe for visitors and comfortable for the animals is essential. Here's a quick recapitulation of crucial points to bear in mind:

• Develop a detailed business plan outlining your vision, goals, and financial projections.
• Choose suitable animal species that are friendly and manageable.
• Ensure compliance with all local and national regulations.
• Create effective marketing strategies to attract visitors year-round.
• Prioritize animal welfare with regular veterinary check-ups and proper nutrition.
• Train staff thoroughly in animal care and customer service.
• Implement interactive educational programs for visitors of all ages.
• Utilize tools like Desygner for professional-looking marketing materials.

Maintaining high standards of care for your animals while providing an enjoyable experience for guests will be the cornerstone of your success. As the petting zoo becomes more established, seek feedback from visitors to continuously improve your offerings. Keep up-to-date with industry trends to ensure that your petting zoo remains a popular destination.

Your entrepreneurial spirit coupled with passion can make your dream of running a petting zoo business a reality. Remember that first impressions count. So why not begin by crafting visually appealing promotional materials with Desygner? Your brand deserves the best start possible--sign up at Desygner today to create stunning designs that capture the essence of your new venture!

Unlock the Potential of Your Petting Zoo with Smart Marketing Techniques

Creating Captivating Content for Your Petting Zoo Business

UNLOCK YOUR BUSINESS POTENTIAL!

Get every material you need for your business in just a few clicks

• Business Ideas
• Registered Agents

How to Start a Petting Zoo in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

Updated:   February 22, 2024

BusinessGuru.co is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Opening a petting zoo can be a fun and rewarding business venture. Petting zoos have grown in leaps and bounds over the past five years, reaching a compound annual growth rate of 3.9% . This means the market may reach $107.2 million by the end of 2024

When starting your own petting zoo, you’ll need to make key decisions about location, enclosures, and animal selection. It’s important to start small with just a few friendly animal species and basic amenities before expanding. City farms, children’s farms, small roadside zoos, and mobile petting farms are all popular models.

This guide will walk you through how to start a petting zoo. Topics include market research, competitive analysis, registering an EIN, forming a legal business entity, obtaining business insurance, customer focus strategies, and more.

1. Conduct Petting Zoo Market Research

Market research is essential when running a petting zoo. It offers insight into the most popular petting zoo animals such as farm animals, guinea pigs, and pony rides. It also helps you better understand your target audience of animal lovers.

Several key factors are driving growth in this market:

• American parents look for activities that are educational or allow kids to acquire new skills. Petting zoos check both boxes.
• Petting zoos also cater to parents seeking screen-free activities for children.
• The industry benefits from increasing consumer spending on experience-related services.
• In terms of market opportunities, mobile petting farms represent an especially lucrative niche.
• Traveling farms go directly to events, schools, parties, etc., eliminating issues around fixed location and access.
• While the overall petting zoo industry is fragmented with mostly regional, small-scale operators, that creates opportunities for larger chains to expand through mergers and acquisitions.
• Consolidation allows operators to increase pricing power, leverage shared administrative expenses, expand locations and geographic reach, and implement unified brands, standards, and best practices.

Nimble mobile petting farms and rolled-up regional chains are well-poised to capitalize on these trends. The market size may appear niche but shows no signs of slowing momentum.

2. Analyze the Competition

Understanding the competitive landscape is crucial when starting any small business, including a petting zoo. Doing thorough competition research can help you identify unmet consumer needs, optimal pricing strategies, and ways to differentiate yourself in the market.

For a location-based business like a petting zoo, your first step should be identifying direct local competitors. Drive around your target region and note any fellow petting zoos’ key attributes like size, layout, featured animals, admission fee, and add-on amenities like concession stands.

Observe foot traffic levels to gauge real-world demand. Talk to parents in the parking lot about why they chose to visit that day. This field research gives insights no online search can match.

Evaluate aspects like usability, visual appeal, posted photos/videos, engagement levels, and activity frequency. Use Alexa.com to compare website traffic metrics. Sign up for email lists to analyze messaging cadence and promotional offers. Monitor review sites like Yelp for mentions.

Subscription tools like SEMrush and SimilarWeb provide detailed web traffic analytics on the competition. Paid search ad history, keyword rankings, referral sources, highest traffic pages, and more can inform your fledgling digital strategy.

This multi-pronged approach helps you capitalize on competitors’ weaknesses and build on their existing consumer appeal, both offline and online. Analyzing the competition should be an ongoing process as you establish and iterate your petting zoo offering.

3. Costs to Start a Petting Zoo Business

When starting a petting zoo, significant upfront investments should be expected before opening day to construct proper enclosures and facilities, obtain animals, acquire supplies and equipment, market your attraction, and cover licensing, insurance, and other administrative expenses.

Start-up Costs

• Fencing and Enclosures: Constructing basic suitable habitats for small- to medium-sized animals like goats, pigs, sheep, rabbits, ponies, chickens, ducks, etc. can cost an average of $20,000.
• Initial Animal Acquisitions: Buying the animals themselves will likely run you $3,000 to $5,000 or more initially. Prices fluctuate based on type, age, training level, and source.
• Supplies & Equipment: First aid kits, scales, tack boxes, and tools like shovels, pitchforks, and wheelbarrows will also be necessities, adding up to around $3,500 upfront.
• Insurance, Licensing & Legal: Business insurance is non-negotiable when working with live animals around the public starting at approximately $1,000 annually for a single LLC location.
• Facilities & Amenities: Building out any facilities or visitor amenities will incremental costs that can be spread out over time. Even basic gravel pathways and signage could be $2,000+.

In total, petting zoo owners cite average start-up costs ranging from $40,000 to $60,000+. Spreadsheet out every anticipated expense line item and get quotes from vendors to inform budgets.

Ongoing Costs

In terms of ongoing operational costs after the doors open, foremost are expenses related to caring for the animals like food, supplies, vet bills, training, waste removal, plus maintaining the grounds and facilities. Staffing costs are another considerable monthly expense.

• Animal Care & Feed: From feed to bedding to routine medical exams and emergency vet care, keep at least $500-800 monthly set aside for proper animal husbandry per number and type housed. Hoof trimming costs ~$30 per animal twice annually as well.
• Facilities & Equipment Maintenance: Expect ongoing upkeep year-round for any structures, fencing, pathways, and maintenance equipment from paint and minor repairs to full renovations down the line at approximately $150 monthly minimum.
• Insurance Premiums: Annual comprehensive business insurance will need to be renewed starting at ~$1,000 for a single LLC. Additional premium costs accumulate from added locations, animals, amenities, employees, etc.
• Staffing: A petting zoo cannot operate without trained handlers and supervision. With the federal minimum wage at $7.25/hour, one initial full-time employee earning $30,000 annually already tallies $2,500+ monthly.
• Admin, Utilities & Misc: Budget for monthly office expenses like website hosting, point-of-sale system fees, advertising, accounting software, utilities, and other recurring overheads averaging $500-800+ per month.

4. Form a Legal Business Entity

When establishing a petting zoo business, one of the first legal steps is choosing a business structure. The four primary options each have pros and cons to weigh regarding taxation, liability protection, operations, and ownership flexibility.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is the easiest and cheapest model to set up, requiring minimal paperwork. All profits and losses pass through to the solo business owner’s tax returns. If sued, personal savings and other assets could be forfeited which provides little protection.

Partnership

A partnership functions similarly to a sole proprietorship but involves two or more co-owners sharing control and assuming equal liability. While operations and ownership are split, if one partner makes a poor business decision or faces a lawsuit, the other partners and their assets remain financially responsible.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Given hands-on interaction with animals, children, and likely food concession operations, an LLC is likely the best option when starting a petting zoo. LLCs limit the financial liability of all members to their investment amount, protecting personal assets like home equity if sued.

Corporation

C-corps and S-corps place the highest formal separation between business and personal finances but incur double taxation, extensive record keeping, and corporate formalities. The petting zoo context does not need segmented business units or boards of directors. For small operations, corporate rigidity usually outweighs liability advantages over simpler LLCs.

5. Register Your Business For Taxes

Any petting zoo legally structured as a business entity like an LLC or corporation must obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Also sometimes called a Federal Tax ID Number, an EIN functions like a social security number for your company to identify tax returns and accounts.

Applying for an EIN is free and can be completed entirely online via the IRS website typically in under 15 minutes.

• Select “View Additional Types, Including Tax-Exempt and Governmental Organizations”
• Choose “Other Non-Profit/Tax-Exempt Organizations” from the drop-down options even if structured as an LLC/corporation.
• Provide basic information like name, address, and ownership details for your petting zoo as well as a valid social security number.
• Double-check that the legal name, county, and ZIP code match what is listed on your formation documents.
• Choose the appropriate reason code for applying. Code 7 represents “Business started or acquired” in this case.
• Your EIN will be displayed on the confirmation screen. Retain this number to open business bank accounts, apply for pertinent licenses, hire staff when ready, and file taxes going forward.

In addition to the federal EIN, contact your state revenue or taxation authority to learn requirements around sales tax permits, consumer use tax registration, and excise or lodging permits depending on if your petting zoo charges admission fees or hosts birthday parties/events.

6. Setup Your Accounting

Petting zoos deal in high transaction volume across both business and personal finances. Proper accounting keeps track of incoming and outgoing funds and simplifies tax season.

Accounting Software

The first step should be evaluating small business accounting software like QuickBooks to automate invoicing, inventory, and reporting in real time. Connecting bank/credit card accounts to the software allows transactions to seamlessly sync. The software also reconciles accounts payable, tracks sales taxes, and preps financial statements.

Hire an Accountant

Hiring an accountant or bookkeeper provides experienced guidance on capturing relevant petting zoo transactions within the proper income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement categories per Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) standards.

Apply for a Business Bank Account and Credit Card

Separating all petting zoo accounts and transactions from one’s finances is crucial. Keep all assets wholly distinct. Apply for dedicated business credit cards in the LLC’s name using the EIN with limits tied to the business’ reported revenues.

7. Obtain Licenses and Permits

Petting zoo owners must comply with due diligence by securing all legally required licensure. Find federal license information through the U.S. Small Business Administration . The SBA also offers a local search tool for state and city requirements.

At the federal level, a USDA Animal Welfare License under the Animal Welfare Act guarantees all petting zoo creatures receive proper care, housing, space, nutrition, and enrichment. Detailed regulations cover aspects like pen sizes, shelter dimensions, waste removal schedules, and more.

Any petting zoo serving food must also follow state or county laws around food service permits and safety protocols like the federal Food Safety Modernization Act. Regular health inspections confirm proper prep space, cooking equipment, refrigeration temperatures, and employee behaviors.

Zoning laws represent another compliance area, outlining designated agriculture or commercial land usage where petting zoo construction is allowed. Within municipal jurisdictions, additional special use permits, class certifications, waste management plans, water runoff rules, and parking minimums may apply.

Local fire safety and building codes layered onto state regulations also prevent unlawful construction risks endangering animals, staff, or visitors after opening. Electrical systems, emergency lighting, ventilation, accessibility features, and construction materials all undergo planned inspection.

Speak with business insurance carriers to ask what additional risk mitigations, assurances, or policy exceptions they mandate carrying coverage as well. Their requirements often force owners to comply with best practice flags uncovered in the licensing process.

While the red tape duties may seem excessive initially, regulators simply aim to ensure family fun petting zoo environments remain securely out of harm’s way. Enlisting consultants like retired health inspectors clear knowledge gaps so owners can address compliance hurdles systematically.

8. Get Business Insurance

Insuring your petting zoo safeguards the sizable personal investment required to open and operate while protecting customers and creatures alike should the unforeseen occur. Accidents happen when working with excitable animals and children, making insurance nonnegotiable.

Imagine one hyper puppy playfully nips a small hand, resulting in an aggressive parent lawsuit. Without coverage, hard-won savings could evaporate practically overnight settling claims and legal fees.

The law requires animals to carry rabies vaccinations but personal liability protection remains the owners’ duty alone. Or envision a fence left unlatched Allows escape. Retrieval costs compound rapidly tracking the animal plus addressing any property damage caused before re-enclosure.

Even scenarios like a power outage ruining refrigerated inventory or storm flooding pathways place the zoo’s next-day viability at risk absent insurance payouts. Simply put, don’t open the gates without it.

To begin the application process, determine the zoo’s legal entity type like LLC partnership or sole proprietorship. Insurers utilize this framework to assess risk exposure. Document every physical asset and animal on premises for underwriters.

Land parcels, gift shops, concession stands, and party rooms all represent separate insurable items. Disclose full employee roster salaries intending to cover as well.

Armed with specifics, obtain quotes through an online marketplace to compare premiums and coverage inclusions across multiple carriers. Expect rates between $1500-3000 annually factoring in different breeds housed, claims history, attendance size, add-on policies like workers’ comp, etc.

9. Create an Office Space

As a primarily outdoor attraction, petting zoos may question dedicating budgets to formal office space. However, owners still routinely handle administrative duties, vendor calls, payroll, accounting, marketing planning, and other computer or phone-based work. Here are some options for a petting zoo office:

Home Office

A basic home office suffices initially for intermittent paperwork and digital tasks when starting small. As full admission seasons launch and staff/animals multiply, limitations arise. Juggling confidential meetings with rambunctious family chaos becomes untenable over time, not to mention tax deduction restrictions.

Retail Office

Retail office space connects directly to gift shops/ticketing booths for customer-facing sites. Managing daily openings/closings while monitoring ground activity proves convenient. Square footage needs to stay small with possible room for minor storage. Costs range from $10-15 per square foot depending on finishes.

Coworking Office

Coworking spaces like WeWork offer affordable mixed-usage offices for yard maintenance coordinators, event planners, and other behind-the-scenes associates. Accessible 24/7, these modern amenities-rich settings encourage collaboration with fellow entrepreneurs via open layouts and networking events.

10. Source Your Equipment

Launching a petting zoo requires extensive upfront investments into Constructing enclosures, acquiring supplies, and prepping outdoor spaces. While buying everything shiny and new seems ideal for durability, significant cost savings can be achieved through used purchases and temporary rentals without sacrificing quality.

When buying new, materials like lumber, fencing, tools, and maintenance equipment can be sourced affordably at local home improvement stores like Home Depot . Specialty items like livestock transport trailers, trimming shears, and veterinary products shop at farm supply retailers such as Rural King in-person or online.

To save substantially, search used marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for fencing, fixtures, and implements priced at 50% or more discounts. Listings abound from hobby farm shutters. Be ready to transport larger items with a truck/trailer. Sterilize thoroughly before use.

Instead of committing huge capital to amenities like bouncy houses, picnic tables, and concession equipment that see seasonal spike use, renting makes operational sense. Peer-to-peer rental platforms and local operation facilities offer flexible terms.

11. Establish Your Brand Assets

Beyond just opening the gates, petting zoos must nurture a distinctive brand identity through markers like logos, contact information, and an online presence to spark community awareness and drive visitor traffic long-term.

Get a Business Phone Number

Start by establishing a primary phone line for reservations and inquiries tied specifically to the business. Services like RingCentral provide toll-free numbers, call routing to cell phones, voicemail transcriptions, and more professional capabilities starting under $30 monthly. Publish this call-to-action contact across all materials.

Design a Logo

To enable consistent recognition across touchpoints, create a primary logo encapsulating the zoo’s personality through a color palette, fonts, icons, and graphical treatments via DIY sites like Looka . Scalable vector files retain crispness on signs and t-shirts alike. Extension brand imagery then echoes this core visual theme.

Print Business Cards

Business cards offer convenient information exchange with guests, vendors, and partners. Order cheap, custom cardstock integrating the new logo alongside phone, email, web, and social media channels through convenient online print services like Vistaprint . Keep stacks handy upfront and with staff to enable organic referrals.

Get a Domain Name

Of equal importance are a .com domain name and website establishing an online hub for schedule details, photos, event bookings, and contact convenience. Services like Namecheap facilitate quick, affordable domain purchases and hosting setups.

Design a Website

A website is imperative to any new petting zoo facilities. It helps customers find you and offers an air of authority. Build out full multi-page sites via user-friendly DIY platforms like Wix to showcase features or have designers on Fiverr custom craft sites if preferring a hands-off approach.

12. Join Associations and Groups

While seemingly niche, a surprisingly robust community exists helping petting zoo owners operate optimally, market strategically, and tap into collective wisdom. By proactively networking locally, new startups plug into valuable knowledge banks accelerating the path to profitability and smoothing inevitable hiccups.

Local Associations

Petting zoo-specific trade associations share everything From animal nutrition tips to info packet templates for schools/camps. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums offers similar guidance. Regional zoo alliances also provide forums for coordination.

Local Meetups

Attending area small business conferences, farm seminars, agritourism workshops, and family entertainment expos exposes additional insights from those navigating parallel micro-niches. Sites like Meetup index myriad such local events to browse. Bring plenty of business cards to exchange in person.

Facebook Groups

Online communities enable advice gathering from national newcomers and veterans alike. For instance, the Small Business Owners USA is a great place to meet other small business owners and World Zoo Keepers share first-hand experiences overcoming obstacles. Survey long-timers before replicating strategies.

13. How to Market a Petting Zoo Business

After perfecting animal care protocols and visitor experiences, petting zoos must still strategically promote offerings to move from hobbyist enthusiast endeavors to secure community institutions. Leveraging both established networks and emerging tools maximizes exposure channels.

Referral Marketing

Start by incentivizing delighted visitors to actively endorse the grounds. Offer a 10% off admission coupon to anyone providing a positive social media tag or online review showcasing their memorable experience. Such authentic peer advocacy carries tremendous influence driving referral traffic better than any advertisement.

Digital Marketing

In terms of digital marketing opportunities, numerous options exist to drive ongoing awareness and bookings:

• Google Ads campaigns can optimize visibility for critical seasonal revenue boosts like spring break or summer with geo-targeted promotions. Expect to budget $100-300 monthly as a start based on bid competition.
• Facebook/Instagram ads showcase behind-the-scenes creature highlights or event sneak peeks to fans and parents while updating Visit scheduling prompts direct bookings. Links within the drive to the website for purchases.
• Launching a dedicated YouTube channel publishing short vertebrate vignettes or kid visitor reactions generates both engagement and SEO discovery juice as the clips propagate across Google searches.
• An email newsletter with insider news, newly arrived animals, and special subscriber-only promotions reward loyal patrons with exclusive value for repeat business.

Traditional Marketing

For more traditional approaches consider:

• Eye-catching vinyl banners or digital displays promoting seasonal events/camps placed strategically near schools and neighborhoods with lots of young families
• Simple flyers/mailers sent to previous summer camp groups, schools, churches, and other kid-centric organizations
• Radio underwriting sponsorships on local stations aligning with parenting demographics – “Brought to you by [Your Zoo]”
• Chamber membership securing proclamation days dedicating your anniversary as “Petting Zoo Day” citywide!

While newer outlets present tremendous scale, the most effective initiatives enhance existing networks sharing memorable on-site moments within their communities. The seed that visible joy and marketing needs become secondary amidst growing crowds and booking redundancies!

14. Focus on the Customer

While purchasing adorable creatures and constructing enclosures represents a significant upfront investment when launching a petting zoo, the venture’s long-term viability relies wholly on consistently delighting visiting families through stellar customer service.

Meeting specialty diet restrictions for birthday parties, calmly addressing overeager kids, and ensuring guests with disabilities access enjoyable vantage points for animal interactions demonstrate the thoughtful care that earns loyalty.

Actively monitoring and responding to social media tags and reviews showcases responsive patron attention, thanking positive endorsers, and addressing constructive feedback shows the zoo cares about continually improving.

Consider personal touches like handwritten thank you notes to those booking larger events or surveys to regulars asking for input on new potential animals to acquire.

Petting zoos best thrive via community goodwill as a memorable place for creating joyful family memories away from ever-present screens. Investing efforts into hospitality as much as healthy habitats telegraph that message through staff conduct.

Ultimately, when warm customer service pervades the grounds, the animals and guests respond in kind. That’s an environment everyone wants to be a part of.

You Might Also Like

April 1, 2024

0  comments

How to Start a Headstone Cleaning Business in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

The headstone and cemetery monument cleaning and cemetery services market has grown 6.5% throughout ...

How to Start a Steam Cleaning Business in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

Starting a steam cleaning business could be your ticket to financial freedom and entrepreneurial ...

How to Start a Dryer Vent Cleaning Business in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

The global dryer vent cleaning services market is expected to grow at a compound ...

How to Start a Yard Cleaning Business in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

The landscaping services industry, which includes yard cleaning, is a thriving market in the ...

Check Out Our Latest Articles

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Pets and Animals

How to Start a Petting Zoo

Last Updated: November 1, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 85% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 138,457 times. Learn more...

Petting zoos are a fun and educational activity for people of all ages, but with the right planning, they can also be a lucrative business venture. If you're an animal lover who's always dreamed of operating your very own interactive sanctuary, your first step will be to apply for a license that permits you to legally own animals for display. Next will come leasing a plot of land spacious enough to suit your needs, then constructing the necessary facilities and leasing the animals themselves. After that, it will just be a matter of hiring help and finding resourceful ways to market your new business within your local community.

Getting Your Business off the Ground

• A local petting zoo may be your option if your goal is to own and operate a business with regular hours and procedures.
• Traveling petting zoos often make stops at places like schools, daycares, retirement homes, community centers, and public events. [2] X Research source

• You may need additional permits to work with exotic breeds.
• Review the farming and animal handling laws in your region to brush up on what sorts of practices are allowed

• Is your petting zoo going to be a temporary endeavor or a full-time commitment? The answer to this question will help you determine whether it would be cheaper in the long run to buy or rent.
• Even if you're launching a traveling petting zoo, you'll still need a place to house your animals and serve as a base of operations between showings.

• Consider taking out a business loan or seeking outside investors to supplement the capital you've already got.
• Keep in mind that you won't be making a profit right away, so you'll need to have enough money saved up to keep the business afloat through the early weeks and months.

Using Your Resources Effectively

• Proceed with a simple, intuitive layout in mind. Configure your property in a long line and have visitors work their way from one end to the other, or situate the pens in a loop so they end up back where they started.

• If space permits, you could include other buildings like a separate storage room or gift shop.
• Once you're ready to break ground, hand off your plans to a team of specialty contractors to get construction underway.

• Place benches, picnic tables, or similar seating at regular intervals so tired visitors will have somewhere to sit and rest.
• Designate one or two especially scenic areas as backdrops where people can have their pictures made with the animals.

• It's vital that you go through a reputable, licensed dealer when stocking your pens. In this case, you're looking for a Class A or Class B AWA license, which says that the vendor has permission to buy, sell, and trade live animals under federal law. [10] X Research source
• You'll have quite a bit of freedom when it comes to the types of animals you put on display, as long as they meet the conditions of your exhibitor's license and don't pose a threat to the safety of your customers or any of the other animals.

• Decorate your convoy of vehicles with banners and decals bearing the name of the petting zoo to advertise while you're on the go to and from various events.

Operating Your Petting Zoo

• Advertise jobs at your petting zoo to students, farm hands, and other individuals who are interested in working with animals on a part-time basis.
• In addition to hourly employees, you should hire at least one or two experienced animal handlers to see to the animals' daily needs.

• $8-10 for an adult is average, with a reduced rate of $5-7 for kids.
• Offering special discounts for small children and seniors may help to attract more business.
• For appearances at birthday parties and other events, charge a flat rate somewhere between $100-200 per hour. [14] X Research source

• Post your hours near the entrance of the zoo where they can be seen easily by those passing by. If you've launched a website for your business, be sure to list the information there, as well.
• Remember to update your hours to reflect holidays, special events, and necessary closures.

• See if other small businesses in your area would be willing to help you advertise.
• Take advantage of the reach of social media by setting up a Facebook, Instagram, or even a Twitter account for your business.

Community Q&A

• If you've already got some experience working with animals (at a zoo, farm, or veterinarian's office, for instance), you'll have an advantage when starting your own petting zoo. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Since you'll be surrounded by live animals, it's critical that you take every step possible to maintain safe, sanitary, and humane working conditions. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Give your petting zoo a memorable name that will stick in people's minds. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

• Be especially careful about keeping different species of animals separated while you're transporting or corralling them. The last thing you want is for them to become agitated and start attacking one another. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
• While you do have the option of operating your petting zoo part time, you should be aware that caring for the animals will be a round-the-clock job. That means you'll often find yourself working outside of your listed hours of operation. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/businessideas/petting-zoo
• ↑ https://www.atouchofbusiness.com/ideas/Petting-Zoo/Start-A-Petting-Zoo.html
• ↑ https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalwelfare/SA_Regulated_Businesses
• ↑ http://www.hobbyfarms.com/why-to-think-twice-about-starting-a-farm-petting-zoo-7/
• ↑ https://howtostartanllc.com/business-ideas/petting-zoo
• ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238086

About This Article

Starting your own petting zoo is a great idea if you love animals and you have some business experience. First, you’ll need to figure out the cost of building and operating your zoo to make sure it’s financially viable. Costs will include building stalls, outdoors pens, a dedicated feeding area, restrooms, seating areas, and an office building or two. To run your petting zoo, you’ll need to regularly pay for food, grooming supplies, veterinary services, basic farming equipment, and staff wages. Once you’ve figured out your budget, apply for the license you need, which in the U.S. will usually be a Class C Exhibitor's license. Then, you can buy or rent a suitable plot of land, build your petting zoo, and bring the animals home. For more tips, including how to advertise your petting zoo, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Peg Marshall

Jun 25, 2016

Did this article help you?

May 1, 2022

Gayle Bishop

Mar 28, 2016

Richard Meilij

Jun 30, 2016

Aug 4, 2016

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

How to Start a Petting Zoo

A petting zoo provides a space where customers can pet an assortment of small animals.  Petting zoo animals may include goats, llamas, sheep, and other friendly animals. Such businesses are usually favored by children but enjoyed by clients of all ages. A petting zoo may be in a standing location or may specialize in providing animals for parties and other special events.

Learn how to start your own Petting Zoo and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a petting zoo by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Petting Zoo
• Form your Petting Zoo into a Legal Entity
• Register your Petting Zoo for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Petting Zoo
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Petting Zoo
• Get Petting Zoo Insurance
• Define your Petting Zoo Brand
• Create your Petting Zoo Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your petting zoo. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Petting Zoo Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your petting zoo?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a petting zoo.

The cost of opening your business can vary greatly, starting with where it is located and how big it is. If you are trying to secure ten acres, for instance (a good size for a petting zoo), you might pay $20,000 (if it is all considered farmland), $65,000 (If it is considered undeveloped land), or over a million dollars (if it is considered developed land).

Similarly, if you are having to build from scratch, it can cost between $15,000 to $100,000 to create the buildings to house and display your animals. You will need to get liability insurance as well, which will likely be a minimum of $4,000. You will also need a Class “C” license from the government to exhibit animals; this costs between $30 and $300 depending on how many animals you have. The final cost to consider is the cost of the animals themselves, which varies greatly (goats alone can range between $75 to $300 per animal), and the starting salaries of your staff (which will vary based on size, but is worth budgeting at least $5,000 for).

It should be noted that if you have an opportunity to buy or lease an existing farm or other space to accommodate your animals, the starting costs may be much lower.

What are the ongoing expenses for a petting zoo?

The ongoing expense for a petting zoo varies based on its size, the size of the staff, the amount of the animals, and so on. A good analogue would be a small farm, which might have expenses of $5,000 a month. This goes towards mortgage (about $1,500), electricity and utilities (about $2,000), insurance payment ($500 or so), and animal food and assorted supplies ($1,000). Again, the exact amount will vary based on the size of the zoo.

Who is the target market?

Generally, your preferred clients are families. Petting zoos are always a hit with young children who end up bringing their parents and other relatives into the business.

How does a petting zoo make money?

Most petting zoos make money by charging a fee at the door. If you do “rent out” animals to parties and other events, that should be charged as a separate, higher fee.

Ultimately, your pricing should be competitive with other businesses in your area. With that in mind, a typical cost would be $10 to $20 per adult to visit your zoo, with a lower cost for children below a certain age. If you bring animals to birthday parties or other events, you may consider charging $100 to $200 per hour.

How much profit can a petting zoo make?

The exact profitability of a petting zoo is difficult to gauge. On one hand, zoos in general can be profitable, with the collective non-profit zoos and aquariums in America bringing in $2.6 billion per year. On the other hand, some zoos are much more profitable than others, and there is little research about average petting zoo income. You can potentially increase your revenue by selling animals, growing and selling crops on your land, and otherwise taking advantage of the land you have access to.

How can you make your business more profitable?

As mentioned above, you can offer other services on the land you have available. Your petting zoo may also offer pony rides, for instance, and you might partner with the local 4H Club to help people store and take care of their own animals. Beyond this, make sure that you market year-round, and emphasize that a petting zoo is utterly unlike anything kids or parents can access at home. By emphasizing you are a unique experience, you can help secure steadier traffic.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your petting zoo is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a petting zoo. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .

For more information about local licenses and permits:

• Check with your town, city or county clerk’s office
• Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in US Small Business Associations directory of local business resources .

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

Release of Liability

To avoid liability and potential lawsuits, petting zoo businesses should have their clients sign a release of liability. Here is an example of one such form.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional release of liability form for your petting zoo when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

Certificate of Occupancy

A petting zoo is generally run out of a large outdoor space. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a   Certificate of Occupancy  (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to lease a location :
• It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
• Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a petting zoo.
• After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening,  it is recommended  to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
• If you plan to purchase or build a location :
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your petting zoo will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Petting Zoo needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Petting Zoo.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a petting zoo

As mentioned above, you can effectively advertise your business by exhibiting animals at local and state fairs as well as at birthday parties and other special events. You may also be able to strike up a deal with local pet stores, farm supply stores, and related businesses to advertise your animals to their customers. Otherwise, you'll want to offer a mixture of traditional marketing (such as radio, newspaper, and even TV, budget permitting) and more modern marketing (via your website, social media, and so on).

How to keep customers coming back

Attracting customers is primarily a product of the advertising methods above. You may also consider speaking at local schools and colleges to build up the interest of young people, or offering group discounts that target certain businesses, church groups, and so on. Customer retention is primarily a matter of making each customer and animal interaction feel special: be informative about the animals, as this lets customers know how special this experience is. This will make them want to return time and again.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Obviously, this business is perfect for those who love animals. It is also good for those who like children, as they will be a major part of your visitors.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a petting zoo?

Part of your job involves feeding/taking care of the animals and cleaning the areas they are housed in so they are presentable. When customers arrive, you must entertain them and supervise their interactions with the animals (particularly young children). If you “rent out” the animals, part of your job will be to transport them to parties and set up their temporary enclosures which must later be cleaned and transported back. Finally, “down time” is typically spent working on new ways to advertise the business.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful petting zoo?

Previous experience caring for animals (such as working at a zoo, on a farm, or as a veterinary assistant) is very helpful, as is any other job experience involving animals (such as working for a pet store).

What is the growth potential for a petting zoo?

The growth potential for such a business is moderate. In some areas, petting zoos are primarily a seasonal business, while they flourish year round in other places. As with many businesses, securing profitability and the potential to grow larger hinges on finding a specific niche for your region. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics sees the animal care and service field in general growing by eleven percent by 2024.

Not sure if a petting zoo is right for you? Try our free Business Idea Generator and find your perfect idea.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a petting zoo?

Make sure that you have a niche, offering something your local community does not have easy access to. Considering offering those aforementioned “extra” services, such as providing animals for parties and/or allowing people to pay for special events at the zoo itself. Finally, don't miss an opportunity to both make money and advertise your business at the local and state fairs.

How and when to build a team

Unlike other businesses, you will need a team immediately for this job. This is because taking care of your animals is not something limited to traditional business hours, and you will want to be able to rotate duties so you and others do not get exhausted.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

• Wild Things Zoo Safari Franchise opportunity
• Association of Zoos & Aquariums
• World Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Real World Examples

• Ann Arbor business
• Georgia business
• Michigan business

Further Reading

• Things You Should Consider Before Starting a Petting Zoo
• Tips for Starting Your Petting Zoo
• Learn about more Family Fun Business Ideas!

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

Our work is reader-supported, meaning that we may earn a commission from the products and services mentioned.

How To Start A Petting Zoo

• Last Updated: September 27, 2023
• By: Greg Bouhl

Advertising Disclosure

How to Start a Petting Zoo

A petting zoo can be a fulfilling and profitable business, bringing joy to kids and families while teaching them about animals. But here’s the thing: running a petting zoo isn’t just about cute animals and happy kids. There’s a lot to consider, from local rules to animal care, to how you’ll keep the place running smoothly.

But don’t sweat it! This guide will walk you through the essentials and answer some common questions to help you start right.

Business Overview

A petting zoo provides a facility where children and adults can come to pet and feed animals such as goats, ponies, llamas, chickens, rabbits, sheep, or other animals that are friendly for a fee.  This business can be stationary, mobile, or both, as some petting zoo businesses offer mobile services for birthday parties or other events.

While the thought of owning a petting zoo may sound like a dream, know that there is a lot of work to care for the animals, such as vaccinations, proper feeding, constant cleaning, etc.

Related Business Ideas

Cat Cafe Dog Breeding Fish Farm Goat Farm Pet Boarding See the full library of business ideas >>

Industry Summary

Petting zoos have traditionally been operated within large zoos, but small petting zoos on farms or mobile petting zoos are also becoming popular.  

The petting zoo industry is expected to generate $83 million in 2023, and this industry largely falls under the broader category of “agritainment” or agricultural entertainment. This is an industry that combines farming with fun activities for the public. Think pumpkin patches, apple picking, and, yes, petting zoos. These businesses are popular in both rural and urban settings because, let’s face it, who doesn’t love adorable animals?

The zoo and aquarium industry has faced challenges in recent years due to reduced government funding and fluctuating attendance. However, opportunities exist for small petting zoos that cater to families and schools. Focusing on hands-on education, animal care, and community engagement can set your business apart.

Steps To Start A Petting Zoo

To launch a petting zoo, you will need to make plans for funding, facilities, inventory, permitting, staffing, and more. Let’s go over the important steps here:

Step 1:  Assess the Market

So you’ve got the dream, the vision, and the passion to start a petting zoo. Before you jump in, it’s important to know if there’s enough interest in your community for a business like this. Starting a petting zoo can be a big investment of both time and money, so you’ll want to make sure that it’s something people actually want. Opening any business is a bit of a gamble, but you can tilt the odds in your favor with good research, and that’s why we start with market research.

A few methods that you can use to measure the interest and demand in your area include:

Customer research: It’s a good idea to start by conducting market research to give valuable insights into your potential customers and what they are looking for in a petting zoo. The largest market for petting zoos are families with children nine and younger. You can find out how many people fit that demographic in your community by researching the Census Bureau’s website .

If you live in a tourist area, you can also work with your local tourism bureau or economic development office to get statistics on the number of visitors to your area.

Study your competitors: Next, you will want to research your competitors to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Analyzing what your competitors are doing can give you a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t. You can do this by looking at their website, social media, or visiting their facility. By doing this, you’ll have a better grasp of what you’ll need to offer to compete with them successfully. If there are no competitors, don’t automatically assume the market is wide open. There may not have been enough customers to support others from trying.

Use social media: Use social media platforms to run polls or ask questions. This not only measures interest but also helps spread the word about your potential business. You can also create polls or surveys on social media to ask potential customers what they would like to see in your petting zoo.

Get feedback from the community: Another great way to research demand is to get feedback from the community. This can include talking to local schools and children-focused organizations. By getting out there and talking to people, you’ll have a better understanding of what people are looking for in a petting zoo.

Step 2:  Write a Business Plan

After you’ve done your homework and found out there’s interest in a petting zoo in your community, it’s time to begin crafting a business plan. Crafting a thorough business plan takes work, but it’s an essential step in making your petting zoo dream real. It helps you think through key parts of your business.

Think of this plan as a roadmap. It lays out how you’ll get from point A, having an idea, to point B, running a successful petting zoo. Plus, if you need a loan, banks are going to want to see this plan. It shows you’ve thought things through and are serious about your business.

A few sections of the plan to focus on include:

Market Analysis

When you’re writing about the market, you’re basically answering one question for the lender: Why will people come to your zoo? Dive into who your customers are and what they want. If you did your research, you already know there’s interest. Now, show how you’ll meet that demand better than anyone else. Maybe you’ve got unique animals, or maybe you plan to offer educational programs that schools will love. Whatever it is, make it clear why your petting zoo is a solid bet.

Management Team

Lenders pay a lot of attention to who’s running the show. They want to know the owners and key staff have the skills and experience to make this work. Include bios and highlight any relevant experience, like working with animals or running another business. The point is to show the lender that you and your team have the chops to make this petting zoo a success.

Your choice of location can make or break your petting zoo. Lenders know this, so you’ll want to explain why you’ve chosen your specific spot. Maybe it’s close to schools for field trips, or maybe it’s easily accessible from the highway. Highlight factors like foot traffic, accessibility, and any other perks that make your location a good fit for a petting zoo.

Financial Projections

This is the section lenders will look over the most. You’ll need to provide forecasts for income, costs, and profit. Be as realistic as possible. Lenders are good at sniffing out numbers that don’t add up. Make sure you understand every number you put down because you’ll likely need to explain how you arrived at those figures.

Before showing this plan to any lender, get another pair of eyes on it. Someone with experience, like a business owner or an accountant, can provide valuable insights. They might spot potential issues you didn’t see, giving you a chance to fix them before you sit down with the lender.

Related:   How to write a business plan

Step 3:  Source Funding

So you’ve confirmed there’s demand for your petting zoo, and you have a business plan. The next important step is securing the money to actually start your business. Making sure you have the funds upfront is important because without money, well, nothing else happens. You can’t buy animals, secure land, or even get the right permits without some cash on hand.

Securing funding can be a tough part of getting your petting zoo off the ground, but it’s also one of the most important. Let’s talk about where that money can come from.

Personal savings: The first place most people look is their own bank account. If you’ve got enough saved up to cover all your startup costs, that’s fantastic. However, personal savings often fall short. In such cases, you’ll have to explore other options.

Lenders: Getting a bank loan is a common approach to funding a petting zoo. Banks will generally ask you to put up 15% to 25% of your own money toward the total cost. They’ll also want to see a good credit score and some kind of collateral, like property. If a bank thinks lending to you is considered a bit too risky, they might go for a Small Business Administration (SBA) or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan guarantee, which can make it easier for you to get that loan.

Friends and family: Another option is to turn to the people who believe in you the most: your friends and family. However, mixing business and personal relationships can get messy. To avoid any confusion or hard feelings down the line, put any agreements in writing. Be clear about whether the money is a gift, a loan, or an investment.

Microloans: If you find you only need a small amount of money or can’t secure a traditional loan, a microloan might be the way to go. These are smaller loans, typically up to $150,000, often accompanied by business training. They can be particularly useful if you’re new to running a business and could use some extra guidance.

Investors: Investors can be another avenue. The family entertainment sector is a growing industry, and investors are looking for investment opportunities in this sector. Petting zoos can be a good option for investors who are looking for a fun and rewarding investment.

Step 4:  Register the Business

Setting up a petting zoo requires several official steps to ensure that the business is legal, including forming a business structure, registering a business name, and obtaining necessary licenses and permits.

Choose a business structure: First things first, you’ll need to decide on a business structure. The structure you choose will have an impact on your taxes, paperwork, and how much of your personal assets are at risk if the business runs into trouble. The main types to consider are:

• Sole proprietorship : This is the simplest and least expensive way to start a business. You’re the boss, and the business is essentially you. The downside is that your personal assets, like your home and savings, can be at risk if the business gets into financial or legal trouble.
• General partnership : If you’re starting the petting zoo with someone else, you might go for a partnership. Like a sole proprietorship, it’s relatively easy and cheap to set up, but you’re both personally liable for the business.
• Corporation : This is a more complex setup and involves more paperwork and staying on top of administrative requirements. But it does offer strong protection for your personal assets.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) : An LLC is often considered a mix of a corporation and a sole proprietorship. It provides liability protection but is easier to set up and run than a corporation.

Considering the liabilities involved in having live animals and public interactions, an LLC or corporation might be your best bet for better asset protection.

Related: Comparison of business structures

Forming an LLC sounds complicated and expensive, but using an entity formation service guides you through the process so you know it was done right.

Some popular LLC formation services include:

IncFile  - $0 plus state fees & free registered agent for 1 year!

ZenBusiness  - Best for beginners. $0 plus state fees & free registered agent for 1 year!

Northwest  - Best privacy protection. $39 plus state fees & free registered agent for 1 year!

Business name registration: After registering the business structure, you may need to register your business name. This process will vary depending on what business structure you pick. Sole proprietors and partnerships will often be required to register a “Doing Business As” (DBA), while corporations and LLCs register with the state during the formation process.

During this time, it’s also a good idea to check if the name you want is available as a web domain, even if you’re not ready to set up a website yet.

Related: Finding a domain name for your business

Obtain business licenses and permits: The types of licenses and permits you’ll need can vary significantly depending on your location. Since each state has different rules, you’ll need to check with your state and local government to find out what’s required.

Starting with licensing related to petting zoos specifically, a  Class C Exhibitor’s License  will be needed from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Depending on the types of animals on display, additional permits may also be required.

An animal welfare license is often required for petting zoos that house animals. This license is issued by the state government and ensures that the petting zoo is meeting certain animal welfare standards.

In addition, there will be a few general business licenses and permits needed.  A few of these may include a sales tax permit and an Employer Identification Number.

Related:  Common business licenses, permits, and registrations by state

Step 5:  Acquire Property & Set Up the Zoo

You’ve navigated the maze of funding and legal requirements, and now you’re standing at the doorstep of making your dream tangible. The location you pick will set the stage for your petting zoo, and the buildings and animals you choose will become the stars of the show.

Your petting zoo location should be convenient for families, so it’s best to not be too far out in a rural area.  If you are going to run a mobile petting zoo, you’ll need to determine how far you’re willing to travel with your animals to choose your service area.

The facilities should include level terrain for safe walking, bathroom facilities, and a concessions area.

Once the property is secured, construction can begin. Depending on your business plan, this might involve building animal shelters, visitor facilities, fences, and other structures. Remember, each structure should meet the specific needs of the animals it will house. For example, different animals require different types of fencing for their safety and the safety of your visitors.

Step 6:  Hire Staff

Depending on the scale of your zoo, employees may be needed. From animal caretakers, customer service representatives or maintenance staff, there are several roles for employees to play in a zoo. Before diving into the hiring pool, there are some legal steps you need to square away as an employer.

These typically include:

Obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) : This is a unique number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that you’ll need for tax filing and reporting purposes.

Employment eligibility verification : Employers must verify an employee’s eligibility to work in the U.S. You’ll need to complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for each new hire.

State reporting : Each state has different requirements for reporting new hires. Generally, employers must report newly hired and re-hired employees to a state directory within 20 days of their hire or rehire date.

Workers’ compensation : Most states require businesses with employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which covers medical costs and lost wages if an employee is injured on the job.

Understanding labor laws : Familiarize yourself with federal and state labor laws, including minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping, and youth employment standards.

Related: State guides for hiring an employee

Step 7:  Create a Marketing Strategy

With the steps winding down, you’re almost ready to open the gates and welcome guests to your petting zoo. Now, it’s time to get the word out.

One effective way to market your business is through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. These platforms allow you to post pictures of your animals and upcoming events, and they’re a great way to connect with local families. Additionally, creating a website with key details like your location, hours, and pricing can give you a professional edge.

Don’t forget about the traditional methods like putting up flyers in community centers or taking out ads in local newspapers. It’s also a good idea to offer opening-day specials or partnership deals with schools, daycares, community centers, and local businesses to drum up interest.

Also, claim your Google Business Profile and list on platforms like Yelp or TripAdvisor to boost your visibility.

Related:  Low-cost ideas to market a new business

Step 8: Prepare to Open!

You’re nearing the finish line, but there are some final steps you need to address to make sure your petting zoo is set to open smoothly. Every business will have different needs, but here’s some common items that you shouldn’t overlook:

Business insurance : This is not optional; you need to have liability insurance to protect your business in case of accidents or property damage. We recommend getting at least three insurance quotes, including local insurance agents and online providers like Coverwallet or Hiscox to get the best coverage and price.

Setting up bookkeeping : Proper financial tracking is key. You can use software like Wave Accounting (FREE) or Quickbooks or hire a professional to help you keep track of income, expenses, and taxes.

Business bank account : Open a separate account exclusively for your business transactions. This makes tax time a whole lot easier.

Ticketing and pricing system : Decide how you’ll handle admissions. Will it be pay-per-entry, or will you offer multi-visit passes? Set up a system that’s easy for customers to navigate. Solutions like ZooEasy and Centaman can help not only manage ticketing but also manage animal records, breeding programs, and more.

Industry associations : Consider joining groups like the Association of Zoos and Aquarium Association , which can offer valuable resources and networking opportunities.

Grand opening : Plan a memorable grand opening. Promote it well in advance and consider offering special deals or activities to attract a large crowd.

Related:  Common types of insurance a business may need

Common Questions When Starting A Petting Zoo

How much does it cost to start a petting zoo.

The total upfront costs to start a petting zoo can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for small- to medium-sized operations.

Buying the land for your petting zoo is one of the most significant expenses you’ll incur. Depending on the location and size, land can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 or more. It’s important to ensure the land is zoned appropriately for a petting zoo before making any commitments.

Preparing the property by adding fencing, enclosures, shelters, and walkways could add another $15,000 to $30,000.

Livestock like goats, pigs, ponies, and chickens will likely total $10,000 to $25,000.

You’ll also need to budget for supplies like feed, brushes, and toys, which can cost $5,000.

Required permits, licenses, and insurance will cost several thousand dollars upfront.

Marketing expenses to promote your opening, like print ads, flyers, and a website, may be $3,000 to $5,000 initially.

Taking all these into account, the financial hurdle is substantial but manageable with careful planning and budgeting. Make sure to do thorough research and prepare for all the costs involved in starting your petting zoo.

How profitable is a petting zoo?

Profits for a petting zoo can vary widely based on factors like location, the variety of animals, and the experiences offered.

A common formula for estimating profit in the petting zoo industry is to calculate the revenue per visitor, which might range from $10 to $20 for entry fees, additional activities, and merchandise sales.

So, if your zoo attracts 100 visitors a day, operates 200 days a year, and we go with $15 per visitor, the resulting annual revenue would be $300,000 (100 visitors x $15 x 200 days).

Now, let’s consider expenses. Animal care could cost about $30,000 a year. Employee wages could be another $60,000 annually for a small team. Add to that utility costs, insurance, and maintenance, which might total another $50,000. So, the total annual expenses could be around $140,000.

So, depending on various factors, you could be looking at an annual profit of $160,000. Of course, these are rough estimates, and actual figures will vary, but they give you a ballpark idea of the profit potential.

What skills are helpful in running a petting zoo?

Running a petting zoo requires a unique blend of skills. Here are some of the most important ones:

Animal care knowledge : This is critical as you will be responsible for the health and well-being of the animals in your zoo. You should understand animal behavior, nutrition, and handling techniques, as well as signs of common diseases.

Business acumen : Running a petting zoo is not just about caring for animals, but also operating a successful business. Skills in areas such as finance, marketing, and operations are crucial.

Customer service skills : A petting zoo is a people-oriented business. You’ll need to interact with customers, answer their questions, and ensure they have a positive experience. Good interpersonal and communication skills are key.

Problem-solving skills : Things won’t always go as planned. The ability to quickly identify problems and devise effective solutions is very valuable.

Physical stamina : Working with animals can be physically demanding. You might need to lift heavy feed bags, clean enclosures, and be on your feet for much of the day.

Patience : Animals don’t always behave as expected, and visitors, especially children, will often need clear and repeated instructions. Patience will definitely be a virtue in this line of work.

Passion for animals : This might seem obvious, but a genuine love for and interest in animals can make the hard work involved in running a petting zoo more rewarding and enjoyable.

Knowledge of safety regulations and procedures : Ensuring the safety of both the animals and visitors is paramount in this type of business. You need to understand and adhere to all relevant safety guidelines.

Risk management : Understanding potential risks and how to mitigate them is important in a petting zoo where interaction between animals and humans occurs regularly.

Educational skills : Often, petting zoos have an educational component, teaching visitors about the animals and their care. Being able to effectively convey this information is a valuable skill.

What is the NAICS code for a petting zoo?

The NAICS code for a petting zoo is 712130, which is classified under Zoos and Botanical Gardens.

The NAICS code (North American Industry Classification System) is a federal system to classify different types of businesses for the collection and reporting of statistical data.

Related: What is a NAICS code and how to find yours

With over two decades as an entrepreneur, educator, and business advisor, Greg Bouhl has worked with over 2,000 entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their businesses. Fed up with clients finding and acting on inaccurate and outdated information online, Greg launched StartUp101.com to be a trusted resource for people starting a business.

View all posts

Popular Questions

See more start-up questions

Popular Business Ideas

See more business ideas

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Form An LLC

Business ideas, common start-up questions, get in touch.

Contact Form

Mailing Address: PO Box 2571 Carbondale, IL 62901

Rules and regulations for starting a business change frequently. While we do our best to keep this information fully up-to-date, its very difficult to stay on top of the changes for every state. Also, this site is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal or tax advice.

Additionally, Startup101 may earn a small commission from products or services mentioned on this site.

Disclaimer | Privacy

© 2017 – 2024 StartUp101 LLC – All Rights Reserved.

Some (but not all) of the links on StartUp101.com  are affiliate links. This means that a special tracking code is used and that we may make a small commission on the sale of an item if you purchase through one of these links. The price of the item is the same for you whether it is an affiliate link or not, and using affiliate links helps us to maintain this website.

StartUp101.com  is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to  Amazon.com .

Our mission is to help businesses start and promoting inferior products and services doesn’t serve that mission. We keep the opinions fair and balanced and not let the commissions influence our opinions.

How to Start a Petting Zoo Business

• Entrepreneurship
• Small Business
• Online Business
• Home Business
• Operations & Success

Legal Considerations

Location of your zoo, petting zoo facilities, cost of admission.

Mary Hope Kramer works in the equine industry and has a passion for careers in the animal industry. 

• Berry College

Kids never get tired of petting zoos. The chance to interact with and learn about many different wild animals presents a fun, educational opportunity for families, schools, and other groups. What's more, a petting zoo can be a fun and profitable business opportunity for animal lovers . If you think you might be interested in starting your own petting zoo, here's what you need to know.

Be sure to take out any licenses or permits required by federal, state, or local government agencies. It's wise to begin by researching requirements with the Department of Agriculture, local zoning boards, and local licensing boards before setting out to develop a petting zoo in any particular locale.

Make sure that your business has a liability insurance policy to protect against injury claims from park visitors. Animals can be unpredictable, and even the most docile animal can strike out when it feels threatened. Liability insurance will protect you and your park against lawsuits.

A petting zoo generally requires the use of 10 acres (or more) for proper planning. The more animals you plan to have, the more room you will need.

That being said, you don't want to place yourself too far from the city. Extremely rural petting zoos will usually not generate enough revenue to stay in business. Locate your petting zoo within a reasonable driving distance from a city or large town to generate sufficient customer traffic.

Petting zoos may include a wide variety of animals. Common choices include horses, ponies, sheep, goats, cows, donkeys, deer, alpacas, giant tortoises, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, and geese. Larger animals will need to be separated from guests behind fences, and they will require close monitoring when interactions take place. Some petting farms also feature free flight aviaries (where tropical birds interact with guests) and fish ponds with koi.

Animals should be purchased from reputable breeders , farms, or other petting zoos. It is important to give each animal time to adjust to its new surroundings, and to be sure that the animals selected for the zoo are reasonably well mannered and tolerant of the attention they will be receiving.

A petting zoo should be safely enclosed with a network of fences and gates to prevent animal escapes. Areas that are off limits to the public should be clearly marked. Rules for visitor conduct and safety should also be clearly posted on signs near each animal enclosure.

The facilities for the animals should include both display areas (where animals can interact with visitors) and areas that are restricted from public access. It's also important to have areas where you can quarantine any sick animals or those about to give birth. Adequate shade is another important feature for both the animals and the patrons of the zoo.

The facilities for visitors should include a concessions area, bathroom facility, safe paths for walking between exhibits, paved or gravel parking areas, and seating areas. Golf carts, trucks, trailers, and farm equipment will be necessary to move animals and supplies. Larger parks often offer train rides around the park.

Depending on the scale of your operation, you may need to hire additional full- or part-time staff to clean up after the animals, give food and water, sell tickets or concessions, operate the gift shop, perform general park maintenance, and supervise guests as they interact with the animals. Most petting zoos are run as a family business or with hired help—they are rarely a one-person endeavor.

It is not necessary to have a veterinarian on site, but you should contract with a local vet to provide care for your animals when necessary.

The cost of admission may vary based on the size of the petting zoo and what is offered, but in general, the cost of daily admission will range from $8 to $15 per person. There may be additional fees for animal feed, pony rides, train rides, or other activities. Many petting zoos offer discounts on days with less visitor traffic, such as Mondays and Tuesdays.

Once you've got your zoo ready, you've just got to get people there. It's important to market a petting zoo to the right target audience: children and their parents. Schools, daycares, scouting groups, and other such groups may also be interested in taking their students on field trips to your location.

The best places to spend your advertising dollars will be local newspapers and magazines. Online and social media ads also are a great way to get the word out about your business.

You should also create a webpage and social media pages with all the relevant details about the petting zoo, including hours, cost, and any additional activities that might be available (such as on-site birthday parties or bringing animals to a client’s party location). Incentivize people on your email newsletter list by offering coupons in exchange for signing up.

Donating tickets to charities or offering a discounted rate to large school groups are other guaranteed ways to generate patron traffic. You'll want to exhaust every possible avenue for getting first-time visitors to try out your new petting zoo.

How To Write a Business Plan for Small Petting Zoo in 9 Steps: Checklist

By henry sheykin, resources on small petting zoo.

• Financial Model
• Business Plan
• Value Proposition
• One-Page Business Plan
• SWOT Analysis
• Business Model
• Marketing Plan

Welcome to our blog post on how to write a business plan for a small petting zoo! Did you know that the petting zoo industry has been experiencing steady growth in recent years? According to the American Pet Products Association , the petting zoo sector has seen a 5% increase in revenue in the past year alone. This makes it an exciting and potentially profitable venture for aspiring entrepreneurs like you.

Whether you're passionate about animals or simply looking for a unique business opportunity, a small petting zoo can be a successful venture with the right planning and execution. In this article, we'll provide you with a step-by-step checklist to help you write a comprehensive business plan for your petting zoo.

From defining your target market and conducting market research to determining your budget and developing a marketing strategy, each step is crucial in ensuring the success of your petting zoo. We'll also cover important considerations such as location selection, licensing requirements, animal care, staffing needs, and risk management.

So, let's dive into the steps and get you on your way to creating a thriving small petting zoo business!

Define Your Target Market And Research The Demand For A Small Petting Zoo In Your Area.

Before delving into the details of starting a small petting zoo, it is crucial to define your target market and understand the demand for such a venture in your specific area. Conducting thorough market research will arm you with valuable insights that will shape the foundation of your business plan.

Identify your target audience:

• Start by identifying the primary audience for your petting zoo. Is it families with young children, animal enthusiasts, or event organizers? Defining your target market will help you tailor your offerings and marketing strategies accordingly.
• Consider the demographics of your target audience, including age, income, and location. For instance, if you are located in a residential area with a high concentration of families, your petting zoo may cater more towards children's parties and family events.

Research the demand:

• Examine the existing market for petting zoos in your area. Are there any competitors or similar attractions offering animal experiences? This will give you an idea of the demand and potential saturation of the market.
• Engage with potential customers and gather their opinions through surveys, focus groups, or online platforms. This feedback will provide valuable information on their interest in a petting zoo, their preferences, and pricing expectations.
• Explore the popularity of events in your area that could benefit from a petting zoo experience. Local festivals, community gatherings, and corporate events may present opportunities for collaboration or partnerships.
• Visit other petting zoos in nearby areas to observe their target market and offerings. Take note of their strengths and areas for improvement to differentiate your own business.
• Consult with local event planners, schools, and children's organizations to gauge their interest in a petting zoo attraction and to understand any specific requirements they may have.
• Consider conducting a pilot program or pop-up event to test the demand for your petting zoo before fully committing to the business.

By defining your target market and researching the demand for a small petting zoo in your area, you will gain valuable insights that will guide your business decisions moving forward. This information will help shape your offerings, pricing strategies, and marketing efforts, setting you up for success in establishing a profitable petting zoo.

Conduct A Comprehensive Competitive Analysis.

When starting a small petting zoo business, it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive competitive analysis to understand the market landscape and identify your competitors. This analysis will help you gain insights into what other petting zoos offer, their pricing strategies, target markets, and any unique features or services they provide.

To conduct a competitive analysis, start by researching and compiling a list of existing petting zoos in your area or any nearby locations that could be potential competitors. Visit their websites, social media pages, and online directories to gather information about their offerings, pricing, and customer reviews. This will give you an idea of the competition you will face and the areas where you can differentiate your petting zoo.

Important considerations for conducting a comprehensive competitive analysis:

• Identify the key strengths and weaknesses of your competitors. This can help you identify areas where you can surpass them or offer unique services that they don't.
• Take note of any gaps in the market that your petting zoo can fill. For example, if there are no petting zoos that offer a wide variety of baby animals, this could be an opportunity for you to stand out.
• Analyze the pricing strategies of your competitors. This will help you determine a competitive price point for your own services.
• Examine the target market of your competitors. Are they targeting families, schools, or corporate clients? Understanding their target market will assist in refining your own target audience.
• Tip 1: Visit the petting zoos in person, if possible, to observe their overall customer experience, cleanliness, and the condition of their animals. This will give you valuable insights into the quality of service you need to provide.
• Tip 2: Engage with customers who have used the services of your competitors. Ask them about their experience, what they liked and disliked, and any suggestions they may have. This feedback can help you improve your own offerings.
• Tip 3: Stay informed about industry trends and developments by attending industry conferences, joining relevant organizations, and networking with other petting zoo owners. This will broaden your knowledge and help you stay ahead of the competition.

Conducting a comprehensive competitive analysis will provide you with valuable insights and enable you to position your small petting zoo business competitively in the market. By understanding your competitors' strengths and weaknesses, you can develop strategies to differentiate your offerings and attract your target audience.

Identify Potential Locations For Your Petting Zoo And Evaluate Their Feasibility.

When it comes to setting up a small petting zoo, location plays a crucial role in its success. The right location can attract more visitors and ensure easy accessibility for both local residents and potential clients hosting events. Here are some important factors to consider when identifying potential locations for your petting zoo:

• Demographics: Research the demographics of the area, including the population size, age groups, and income levels. This information will help you gauge the demand for a petting zoo in the community.
• Proximity to Potential Clients: Look for locations that are in close proximity to areas where your target market resides, such as residential neighborhoods, schools, and community centers. Being conveniently located near your potential clients will increase the likelihood of attracting more business.
• Adequate Space: Assess the available space in each potential location to ensure it is sufficient to comfortably house all the animals you plan to include in your petting zoo. It should also have enough room for visitors to move around easily and for additional amenities like pony rides and concessions.
• Accessibility and Parking: Consider the site's accessibility and availability of parking spaces. A location with ample parking and easy access from main roads will make it convenient for visitors to come to your petting zoo, increasing foot traffic.
• Zoning Regulations and Permits: Research the zoning regulations in the potential locations to ensure that operating a petting zoo is permitted. Additionally, find out if there are any specific permits or licenses required for this type of business in the area.
• Competition: Evaluate the presence of any existing petting zoos or similar attractions in the vicinity. Assess their offerings, pricing, and popularity to determine if the location can support another petting zoo and if there is enough market demand to sustain healthy competition.

Tips for Evaluating Potential Locations:

• Visit the potential locations in person to assess the condition of the site and its surroundings.
• Speak to local residents and business owners in the area to gather insights about the community's interests and needs.
• Consider collaborating with existing businesses or venues that may be interested in hosting your petting zoo, such as farms, recreational parks, or event venues.
• Ensure that the potential location aligns with your business goals and vision for the petting zoo.
• Keep in mind any specific requirements or regulations related to the animals you plan to include in your petting zoo, such as space and safety considerations.

Determine The Necessary Licenses And Permits Required To Operate A Petting Zoo

Operating a petting zoo requires obtaining the appropriate licenses and permits to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. These regulations are in place to protect the safety and well-being of both the animals and the visitors. Here are some important licenses and permits you may need to consider when starting your petting zoo:

• Zoning Permit: Check with your local zoning department to determine if your intended location is zoned for a petting zoo. Some areas may have specific regulations governing the operation of such establishments.
• Animal Exhibitor License: Depending on the types of animals you plan to keep in your petting zoo, you may need to obtain an animal exhibitor license. This license ensures that you adhere to the Animal Welfare Act and meet the required standards for animal care and housing.
• Health Certificate: Regular veterinary inspections and health certifications may be required to ensure that the animals in your petting zoo are healthy and free from any contagious diseases. Contact your local veterinarian or animal health department for guidance on obtaining these certificates.
• Insurance Coverage: Obtain liability insurance to protect your business in case of any accidents or injuries that may occur during the operation of the petting zoo. Consult with an insurance agent who specializes in this type of coverage to understand your options and the coverage limits necessary to protect your business adequately.
• Food Handling Permit: If you plan to offer concessions or sell food and beverages at your petting zoo, you may need to obtain a food handling permit. This permit ensures that you meet food safety and sanitation requirements set by local health departments.
• Research and familiarize yourself with all the specific licensing and permit requirements for petting zoo operations in your area. These requirements can vary depending on your location.
• Keep detailed records of all licenses and permits obtained to demonstrate compliance with regulations.
• Seek guidance from professionals, such as attorneys or consultants with experience in the animal entertainment industry, to ensure you meet all the necessary legal and regulatory obligations.

Define Your Budget And Financial Projections For The Business

When starting a small petting zoo, it is crucial to define a clear budget and financial projections to ensure the success and sustainability of your business. This step will help you determine the initial investment required, the ongoing expenses, and the potential revenue streams.

To begin, create a comprehensive list of all the items and services you will need to open and operate your petting zoo. This may include animal feed, enclosures, transportation vehicles, insurance, licenses, permits, marketing materials, and staff salaries. Research the market prices for each item to get an accurate estimate of your expenses.

Next, calculate the expected revenue for your petting zoo. Consider the different services you plan to offer, such as event rentals, pony rides, face painting, and concessions. Determine the pricing for each service, taking into account the local market rates, demand, and competition. Be realistic in your projections and consider factors like seasonal variations and potential fluctuations in demand.

It is also crucial to create a financial contingency plan to prepare for any unexpected expenses or downturns in business. Set aside a portion of your budget as a reserve fund to cover emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. This will provide you with peace of mind and ensure your petting zoo can weather any storm.

Tips for Defining Your Budget and Financial Projections:

• Research various suppliers and service providers to find the most cost-effective options.
• Consider reaching out to local businesses or sponsors for potential partnerships or sponsorships to offset some expenses.
• Regularly review and update your financial projections as your business grows and evolves.
• Consult with a financial advisor or accountant to ensure your budget and projections align with industry standards and best practices.

Defining your budget and financial projections is a critical step in planning your petting zoo business. It will provide you with a clear understanding of the financial requirements and potential revenue, enabling you to make informed decisions and set achievable goals for your business.

Develop A Comprehensive Marketing Strategy

Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy is essential for the success of your small petting zoo. It will help you reach your target market, raise awareness about your business, and attract customers. Here are some important steps to consider:

• Identify your target market: Determine who your ideal customers are, such as families with young children, animal enthusiasts, or event planners. Understand their needs, preferences, and behaviors to tailor your marketing efforts accordingly.
• Create a strong online presence: Set up a professional website and create profiles on popular social media platforms. Share engaging content, post pictures of your adorable animals, and regularly update your followers about upcoming events and special offers.
• Utilize event planning websites: List your petting zoo services on event planning websites to reach potential customers actively looking for animal-themed entertainment for various occasions. Collaborate with these platforms to gain visibility and increase bookings.
• Offer incentives and promotions: Attract customers by offering special discounts, package deals, or loyalty programs. Consider partnering with local businesses to create mutually beneficial promotions or cross-promote each other.
• Advertise through local channels: Reach out to local newspapers, magazines, and radio stations to place advertisements or get featured in articles and interviews. Participate in local community events and sponsor relevant organizations to enhance your brand's visibility.

Tips for an effective marketing strategy:

• Engage with your audience: Respond to comments and messages promptly, and encourage customers to share their experiences on social media. Positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations can significantly boost your reputation and attract more business.
• Utilize visual content: Use high-quality photos and videos on your website and social media platforms to showcase the animals and create an emotional connection with your audience. These visual elements will pique interest and generate excitement for your petting zoo.
• Collaborate with influencers: Partner with local influencers, bloggers, or even veterinarians who have a strong presence in your community. Their endorsements can help expand your reach and attract a larger audience.
• Track and analyze your marketing efforts: Regularly monitor the performance of your marketing campaigns and track key metrics such as website traffic, social media engagement, and booking conversions. Use this data to refine your strategies and optimize your marketing budget.

Decide On The Types Of Animals To Be Included In Your Petting Zoo And Research Their Specific Care Requirements.

Choosing the right animals for your petting zoo is essential to creating a successful and enjoyable experience for your visitors. You want to offer a diverse selection of animals that will appeal to a wide range of guests, while also ensuring that you can provide proper care for them. Here are a few steps to help you make informed decisions:

• Research local regulations: Check with your local authorities to understand any zoning restrictions or regulations regarding the types of animals you can keep in your area.
• Consider popular choices: Look into the animals that are commonly found in petting zoos, such as goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and ponies. These animals are typically well-suited for interacting with guests.
• Evaluate space and resources: Assess the size of your facility and the availability of resources such as food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. Ensure that you can provide adequate living conditions for the animals you choose.
• Research care requirements: Once you have identified potential animals, thoroughly research their specific care needs. Consider factors such as diet, exercise, grooming, temperature requirements, and veterinary care.
• Assess compatibility: Some animals may not get along well with others, so it's important to consider the compatibility of different species before making your final selection.
• Consult with experts: Seek advice from veterinarians, animal care professionals, or other experienced petting zoo owners. They can provide valuable insights and guidance in selecting and caring for the animals.

Tips for Choosing Animals:

• Consider the popularity of certain animals among your target market. This can vary depending on the region and demographics.
• Be mindful of any potential allergies or sensitivities that visitors may have to certain animals.
• Take into account the lifespan of the animals you choose. Some may require long-term commitment and care.
• Ensure that the animals you select have a temperament suitable for interacting with people, especially young children.

By carefully considering the types of animals to include in your petting zoo and researching their specific care requirements, you can create a safe and enjoyable environment for both the animals and your visitors. Remember, providing exceptional care for your animals should be a top priority to maintain their health and well-being.

Determine Staffing Needs And Evaluate Recruitment Options

Once you have defined your target market and business model for your small petting zoo, it is essential to determine your staffing needs and evaluate recruitment options. Having a reliable and dedicated team is crucial for the success of your petting zoo. Here are some steps to help you with this process:

• Assess the number of staff required: Consider the size of your petting zoo, the number of animals, and the expected number of visitors. Determine the number of employees needed to handle tasks such as animal care, customer service, and event coordination.
• Identify the necessary skill sets: Evaluate the specific skills and qualifications required for each position. For example, animal caretakers should have knowledge and experience in handling and caring for different types of animals.
• Create job descriptions: Develop detailed job descriptions for each role, outlining the responsibilities, required qualifications, and desired experience. This will help you attract suitable candidates and streamline the recruitment process.
• Explore recruitment options: Consider various avenues for recruiting staff members, such as online job boards, social media platforms, and local community networks. You can also reach out to local colleges or schools that offer animal-related programs to find potential candidates.
• Conduct thorough interviews and screenings: Once you receive applications and resumes, conduct interviews to assess the candidates' skills, experience, and compatibility with your business values. It is advisable to conduct background checks and contact references to ensure the reliability and trustworthiness of potential employees.
• Consider hiring individuals with a genuine passion for animals and a natural ability to interact with both animals and people.
• Provide comprehensive training and ongoing education about animal care and handling, as well as customer service and safety protocols.
• Consider offering competitive wages and benefits to attract and retain quality staff members.
• Establish an open and supportive work environment to foster a strong team spirit and ensure effective communication.

By carefully determining the staffing needs of your small petting zoo and evaluating your recruitment options, you can build a skilled and dedicated team that will contribute to the overall success of your business.

Conduct A Risk Assessment And Develop An Appropriate Risk Management Plan.

When operating a small petting zoo, it is crucial to conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify and mitigate potential risks that could affect the safety of both visitors and animals. This process will help you develop an appropriate risk management plan that ensures the smooth operation of your business and minimizes any potential harm or liability.

1. Identify potential risks: Begin by identifying all the potential risks that could arise in a petting zoo environment. This can include animal-related risks such as bites, scratches, or allergies, as well as hazards like loose flooring, overcrowding, or inadequate fencing.

2. Evaluate the likelihood and severity: Assess the likelihood and severity of each identified risk. This will help you prioritize them based on their potential impact on visitors, animals, and your business.

3. Implement preventive measures: Once risks have been identified, take proactive measures to minimize or eliminate them. This may involve implementing safety protocols, providing adequate supervision, maintaining secure enclosures, and ensuring proper animal handling techniques are practiced.

4. Training and education: Train your staff on safety procedures and proper animal handling techniques. Educate your visitors about interacting with animals to reduce the chances of accidents or injuries.

5. Insurance coverage: Obtain appropriate insurance coverage that protects against potential liabilities and unforeseen incidents. Consult with an insurance agent specializing in animal-related businesses to ensure you have adequate coverage.

• Regularly review and update your risk management plan to adapt to any changes in your business or industry.
• Consider seeking guidance from industry experts or consultants who specialize in animal-related businesses to ensure you have covered all potential risks.
• Be proactive in addressing and communicating any known risks to visitors, allowing them to make informed decisions about their interactions with the animals.

6. Emergency response: Develop a robust emergency response plan that outlines procedures for incidents such as animal escapes, injuries, or medical emergencies. Train your staff on these protocols and ensure emergency contact numbers are easily accessible.

7. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation: Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your risk management plan. Stay updated on industry best practices and make any necessary adjustments to ensure its continued success.

8. Compliance with regulations: Ensure your petting zoo operations comply with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations related to animal welfare, health, and safety. This includes obtaining necessary permits, licenses, and inspections.

9. Communication and signage: Clearly communicate safety guidelines and any additional rules or restrictions to your visitors through signage and verbal instructions. Encourage visitors to report any safety concerns they may observe.

By conducting a risk assessment and developing an appropriate risk management plan , you are taking proactive steps to protect the well-being of your visitors, animals, and your small petting zoo business. Remember, safety should always be a top priority as you create memorable experiences for your customers.

Writing a business plan is essential for starting a small petting zoo. By following these 9 steps, you can ensure that you have a solid foundation for your petting zoo business. By defining your target market, conducting research, and analyzing the competition, you can identify the demand for your business and plan accordingly. Evaluating potential locations, obtaining the necessary licenses and permits, and creating a budget will help you set up your petting zoo in a feasible and legal manner. Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy, determining the types of animals to include, and considering staffing needs will ensure the success of your petting zoo. Lastly, conducting a risk assessment and developing a risk management plan will help you mitigate any potential challenges or issues that may arise. With a well-written business plan in hand, you can confidently pursue your dream of owning a small petting zoo and making it a profitable venture.

$169.00 $99.00 Get Template

Related Blogs

• Starting a Business
• KPI Metrics
• Running Expenses
• Startup Costs
• Pitch Deck Example
• Increasing Profitability
• Sales Strategy
• Rising Capital
• Valuing a Business
• How Much Makes
• Sell a Business
• Business Idea
• How To Avoid Mistakes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

We earn commissions if you shop through the links below.  Read more

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Zoo

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on June 20, 2022 Updated on March 13, 2024

Investment range

$4,001,550 - $12,154,100

Revenue potential

$1,095,000 - $5,475,000 p.a.

Time to build

12 – 18 months

Profit potential

$0 - $0 p.a.

Industry trend

Zoos offer family fun and help with animal conservation, which is why the US zoo industry is set for sharp 9% growth in 2022 after a pandemic slump. Starting a zoo is of course a massive undertaking, but if you love animals and enjoy providing a fun, educational experience, you can build a thriving zoo operation that helps build your community. 

But before you start dreaming of lions, tigers, and bears, you’ll need to understand what it takes to start a business. Fortunately, this step-by-step guide has you covered with all the info you need to get your zoo up and running and putting smiles on countless faces. 

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Starting a zoo has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you.

• Have Purpose – Help save endangered animals
• Sizable Income – Most zoos are non-profit, but you should make good money
• Good Times – Zoos are fun for kids of all ages!
• Large Investment – Starting a zoo takes a huge budget
• Ongoing Expenses – Just feeding the animals costs a lot

Zoo industry trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth – The US zoo and aquariums industry is worth $2.5 billion in 2022 after declining an average of 1.5% annually the last five years.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/zoos-aquariums-united-states/ ))
• Growth forecast – The US zoo and aquariums industry is projected to grow 9% in 2022. 
• Number of businesses – In 2022, 436 zoo and aquarium businesses are operating in the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/zoos-aquariums-united-states/ )) 
• Number of people employed – In 2022, the US zoo and aquarium industry employs 27,267 people.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/zoos-aquariums-united-states/ ))

Trends and challenges

Trends in the zoo industry include:

• Zoos are designing larger enclosures with real trees and ponds, encouraging more natural behavior that’s better for the animals and conservation research.
• Research is becoming more of a focus for zoos, leading to more ways to protect animals and encourage proliferation. 

Challenges in the zoo industry include:

• Concerns have been raised about the well-being of animals kept in enclosures, which can lead to serious physical ailments. 
• Lack of regulations has led to poorly managed zoos that fall short in terms of animal breeding and maintaining animal health.

How much does it cost to start a zoo business?

Startup costs for a zoo range from $4 million to $12 million. Costs include the land and construction of enclosures and facilities. You’ll also have to purchase animals, which zoos generally buy from other zoos. 

A zoology degree would be very helpful for you to understand how to care for and manage animals. You can find online degree programs at many colleges and universities in the US. Experience working in a zoo is also helpful.

If a zoo is too overwhelming for you financially, you could start a petting zoo, or even a mobile petting zoo for children’s parties. This would help build up your experience and save money toward opening your own zoo. 

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your zoo business, including: 

• Animal enclosures
• Animal feeding equipment
• Animal handling equipment
• Water systems
• Snack bars and equipment

How much can you earn from a zoo business?

Zoos are generally non-profit organizations, which means that any revenues that exceed expenses must be put back into the business. In addition, a key element of non-profits is that they are allowed to accept donations and government funding. 

Still, you’ll want to try to make your zoo as self-sustaining as possible, from admissions and membership fees, food and drink and gift shop sales, and attractions like pony rides. The average zoo admission cost is $15, although popular zoos like the San Diego Zoo charge up to $50. 

In your first year or two, you might get an average of 100 visitors per day, each of whom spends $30, bringing in $1,095,000 in annual revenue. At that stage, you would probably be relying heavily on donations to cover your substantial operating costs. 

As your zoo gains popularity, you might get 500 visitors a day, bringing in annual revenue of $5,475,000. At this point, you should be able to finance your own healthy zoo operation, and perhaps even consider expansion. 

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a zoo. Your biggest challenges will be:

• The substantial startup costs of construction and operations
• The skills required to manage a zoo and ensure animal welfare

Related Business Ideas

How to Start an Animal Rescue Business

How to Start an Aquarium Business

How to Start a Cat Cafe

Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a zoo, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research zoos in your area to examine their services, price points, and customer reviews. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a zoo with natural habitats for large mammals or a zoo that has birds like ostriches.

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as reptiles or local wildlife species.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your products or services

You’ll charge admission for the zoo and may charge for other attractions like guided tours, pony rides or a petting zoo. You can make money from snacks and gifts as well. 

How much should you charge for zoo services?

The average zoo admission price is about $15. Check zoo prices in your local area or in your state to make sure you’re competitive. 

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will mainly be young families. You can market to them on Instagram and Facebook. You might also reach out to local schools for field trips, and area businesses for corporate events. Find them on LinkedIn, Google and Yelp. 

Step 3: Brainstorm a Zoo Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “zoo” or “family zoo”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Wild Adventures Zoo” over “Australian Wildlife Zoo”
• Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion
• Use online tools like the Step by Step Business Name Generator . Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

Powered by GoDaddy.com

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Zoo Business Plan

Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:

• Executive Summary: Summarize your zoo business’s mission to provide educational and recreational experiences through wildlife exhibits and conservation programs.
• Business Overview: Describe your zoo’s focus on housing a diverse range of animals, offering educational exhibits, and participating in wildlife conservation efforts.
• Product and Services: Detail the services offered, including animal exhibits, educational programs, guided tours, and special events.
• Market Analysis: Assess the demand for zoological parks, considering factors like local tourism, community interest, and demographic trends.
• Competitive Analysis: Compare your zoo to other regional attractions, focusing on unique offerings such as rare animal species, interactive exhibits, or conservation initiatives.
• Sales and Marketing: Outline your strategy for attracting visitors, including advertising campaigns, partnerships with travel agencies, or social media outreach.
• Management Team: Highlight the expertise of your team, especially in zoology, animal care, park management, and customer service.
• Operations Plan: Describe the operational aspects, including animal care, habitat maintenance, visitor services, and safety protocols.
• Financial Plan: Provide an overview of financial aspects, covering startup costs, operational expenses, ticket pricing, and revenue projections.
• Appendix: Include supplementary documents such as animal inventory lists, educational program details, or environmental impact assessments to support your business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to zoos 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your zoo will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

If you decide to operate for profit, we recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have. 

However, most zoos operate as non-profit organizations. 

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2023

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a zoo business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. You also could try to do public fundraising. 

Step 8: Apply for Zoo Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a zoo business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal zoo licenses are distributed by the  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service , which is a part of the Department of Agriculture. You’ll also need to make sure that you comply with the Animal Welfare Act . 

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your zoo business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as blackbaud , Species360 , or ZooEasy , to manage your animal care, operations, admissions, and ticketing. 

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google.

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Themed Events and Exhibitions: Organize special events and themed exhibitions, such as animal birthdays, seasonal displays, or conservation-focused programs, to attract diverse audiences and keep visitors engaged.
• Animal Encounters and Interactive Experiences: Offer hands-on experiences like animal feeding sessions, behind-the-scenes tours, or interactive exhibits, providing visitors with memorable moments that enhance their overall zoo experience.
• Membership Programs: Introduce membership programs with perks like unlimited visits, exclusive events, and discounts on merchandise, encouraging repeat visits and fostering a sense of community among your regular patrons.
• Educational Programs for Schools: Develop educational partnerships with schools, offering tailored programs that align with curriculum standards, promoting learning and making your zoo a go-to destination for field trips.
• Social Media Contests and Challenges: Leverage social media platforms by running contests, challenges, and photo-sharing campaigns to increase online engagement, create a buzz, and attract a younger audience.
• Collaborate with Local Businesses: Establish partnerships with nearby businesses to cross-promote each other, offering joint discounts or promotions to expand your reach and tap into new customer bases.
• Community Outreach and Sponsorship: Engage with the local community through sponsorships of community events, participating in parades, or hosting outreach programs to build positive relationships and enhance your zoo’s visibility.
• Seasonal Promotions and Packages: Design seasonal promotions, such as holiday-themed events or family packages, to capitalize on peak times and encourage families and groups to choose your zoo as their preferred entertainment destination.
• VIP Experiences and Corporate Partnerships: Create exclusive VIP packages or corporate partnerships that include private tours, reserved seating at shows, and customized experiences, attracting high-value customers and corporate clients.
• Conservation and Environmental Initiatives: Emphasize your zoo’s commitment to conservation and environmental sustainability through initiatives like wildlife protection programs, recycling efforts, or partnerships with environmental organizations to appeal to socially conscious visitors.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your zoo meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your zoo business could be:

• Your annual zoo membership means endless family fun 
• Save endangered species with a lovely day at the zoo
• Exotic animals and more at your local world-class zoo

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a zoo, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in zoos for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in zoos. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a zoo business include:

• Admissions Attendants – sell tickets
• Animal Caregivers – feed animals, clean enclosures
• Veterinarian – care for sick animals
• Cleaners – clean up park area
• Zoo Director – manage operations, accounting
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media, fundraising

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Zoo – Start Making Money!

Who doesn’t remember going to the zoo as a child and being fascinated by all the exotic animals? Zoos are a great way to enjoy amazing animals and help save our natural world. Starting a zoo is quite a process, but it could be the perfect way for you to do good and enjoy animals while making a good living. 

Now that you’ve got all the information you need, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start finding some fascinating animals to build around. 

• Zoo Business FAQs

Zoos are generally set up as non-profits and generally rely on donations to supplement their high operating costs. Owning a zoo, however, can be quite rewarding, as you’re contributing to the animal conservation cause.

A zoology degree would be helpful for you to understand how to care for and manage animals. You can find online degree programs at many colleges and universities in the US. Experience working in a zoo is also helpful.

Zoos obtain animals from a variety of sources, including captive breeding programs, wild capture, confiscations, donations from other institutions, and purchases from licensed dealers. 

Some animals, such as elephants, can live up to 70 years in captivity, while others, like rodents and small birds, may only live a few years. Some turtles and tortoises can live up to 100 years in zoos.

The biggest zoo in the world by land area is the Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, China, which covers an area of 2,000 acres (809 hectares). It is home to over 20,000 animals from more than 500 species.

The size of a zoo depends on many factors, including the number and types of animals it houses, the availability of land, and the budget for construction and maintenance. Generally, larger zoos are better equipped to provide more space and better living conditions for animals, as well as a wider range of exhibits and visitor amenities. However, smaller zoos can still be successful if they focus on providing high-quality care for a smaller number of animals and creating engaging exhibits and educational programs.

To differentiate your zoo from others in the market, you can focus on providing unique and engaging experiences for visitors, such as interactive exhibits, behind-the-scenes tours, and hands-on animal encounters. You can also emphasize your zoo’s commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and education by showcasing your conservation initiatives and partnerships with other organizations. 

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Zoo Name
• Create a Zoo Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Zoo Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Zoo - Start Making Money!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Featured resources.

16 Business Ideas for Vacant Land

Carolyn Young

Published on September 8, 2022

How can you turn a vacant property into a steady revenue stream? There are plenty of ways. You could rent it out, convert it into storage, build afa ...

17 Business Ideas that Help the Community

Esther Strauss

Published on July 29, 2022

Just about everybody wants to live in a warm, welcoming close-knit community, and you can help build one by starting a business that helps peopleliv ...

18 Pet Business Ideas for Animal Lovers

Published on July 14, 2022

Americans are spending more on pet care and products as the pet humanization trend, which treats pets as family members, takes root. Annually, anown ...

No thanks, I don't want to stay up to date on industry trends and news.

How to write a business plan for a private zoo?

Putting together a business plan for a private zoo can be daunting - especially if you're creating a business for the first time - but with this comprehensive guide, you'll have the necessary tools to do it confidently.

We will explore why writing one is so important in both starting up and growing an existing private zoo, as well as what should go into making an effective plan - from its structure to content - and what tools can be used to streamline the process and avoid errors.

Without further ado, let us begin!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a private zoo?

• What information is needed to create a business plan for a private zoo?
• How do I build a financial forecast for a private zoo?

The written part of a private zoo business plan

• What tool should I use to write my private zoo business plan?

Having a clear understanding of why you want to write a business plan for your private zoo will make it simpler for you to grasp the rationale behind its structure and content. So before delving into the plan's actual details, let's take a moment to remind ourselves of the primary reasons why you'd want to create a private zoo business plan.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

Small businesses rarely experience a constant and predictable environment. Economic cycles go up and down, while the business landscape is mutating constantly with new regulations, technologies, competitors, and consumer behaviours emerging when we least expect it.

In this dynamic context, it's essential to have a clear roadmap for your private zoo. Otherwise, you are navigating in the dark which is dangerous given that - as a business owner - your capital is at risk.

That's why crafting a well-thought-out business plan is crucial to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your venture.

To create an effective business plan, you'll need to take a step-by-step approach. First, you'll have to assess your current position (if you're already in business), and then identify where you'd like your private zoo to be in the next three to five years.

Once you have a clear destination for your private zoo, you'll focus on three key areas:

• Resources: you'll determine the human, equipment, and capital resources needed to reach your goals successfully.
• Speed: you'll establish the optimal pace at which your business needs to grow if it is to meet its objectives within the desired timeframe.
• Risks: you'll identify and address potential risks you might encounter along the way.

By going through this process regularly, you'll be able to make informed decisions about resource allocation, paving the way for the long-term success of your business.

To anticipate future cash flows

Regularly comparing your actual financial performance to the projections in the financial forecast of your private zoo's business plan gives you the ability to monitor your business's financial health and make necessary adjustments as needed.

This practice allows you to detect potential financial issues, such as unexpected cash shortfalls before they escalate into major problems. Giving you time to find additional financing or put in place corrective measures.

Additionally, it helps you identify growth opportunities, like excess cash flow that could be allocated to launch new products and services or expand into new markets.

Staying on track with these regular comparisons enables you to make well-informed decisions about the amount of financing your business might require, or the excess cash flow you can expect to generate from your main business activities.

To secure financing

Crafting a comprehensive business plan for your private zoo, whether you're starting up or already established, is paramount when you're seeking financing from banks or investors.

Given how fragile small businesses are, financiers will want to ensure that you have a clear roadmap in place as well as command and control of your future cash flows before entertaining the idea of funding you.

For banks, the information in your business plan will be used to assess your borrowing capacity - which is defined as the maximum amount of debt your business can afford alongside your ability to repay the loan. This evaluation helps them decide whether to extend credit to your business and under what terms (interest rate, duration, repayment options, collateral, etc.).

Similarly, investors will thoroughly review your plan to determine if their investment can yield an attractive return. They'll be looking for evidence that your private zoo has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and consistent cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand the importance of creating a business plan for your private zoo, let's delve into the necessary information needed to craft an effective plan.

Information needed to create a business plan for a private zoo

Drafting a private zoo business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast, and convince the reader that there is a viable commercial opportunity to be seized.

Below, we'll focus on three critical pieces of information you should gather before starting to write your plan.

Carrying out market research for a private zoo

As you consider writing your business plan for a private zoo, conducting market research becomes a vital step to ensure accurate and realistic financial projections.

Market research provides valuable insights into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies, and other key factors that can significantly impact the commercial success of your business.

Through this research, you may uncover trends that could influence your private zoo.

You may discover that people are increasingly interested in sustainable practices, such as conservation and animal welfare. Research may also show that people are increasingly interested in educational experiences that involve interacting with animals, such as animal-assisted therapy or learning about how animals behave in their natural habitats.

Such market trends play a significant role in forecasting revenue, as they offer valuable data about potential customers' spending habits and preferences.

By incorporating these findings into your financial projections, you can present investors with more accurate information, helping them make informed decisions about investing in your private zoo.

Developing the sales and marketing plan for a private zoo

Budgeting sales and marketing expenses is essential before creating a private zoo business plan.

A comprehensive sales and marketing plan should provide an accurate projection of what actions need to be implemented to acquire and retain customers, how many people are needed to carry out these initiatives, and how much needs to be spent on promotions, advertising, and other aspects.

This helps ensure that the right amount of resources is allocated to these activities in order to hit the sales and growth objectives forecasted in your business plan.

The staffing and capital expenditure requirements of a private zoo

Whether you are starting or expanding a private zoo, it is important to have a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) in order to ensure the success of the business.

Both the recruitment and investment plans need to be coherent with the timing and level of growth planned in your forecast, and require appropriate funding.

A private zoo might incur staffing costs such as salaries for zookeepers, veterinarians, and other personnel, as well as benefits and insurance costs. Additionally, they might incur costs for equipment, such as cages and enclosures, food and water dispensers, veterinary equipment, and safety gear.

In order to create a realistic financial forecast, you will also need to consider the other operating expenses associated with running the business on a day-to-day basis (insurance, bookkeeping, etc.). 

Once you have all the necessary information to create a business plan for your private zoo, it is time to start creating your financial forecast.

What goes into your private zoo's financial forecast?

The financial forecast of your private zoo will enable you to assess the profitability potential of your business in the coming years and how much capital is required to fund the actions planned in the business plan.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a private zoo are:

• The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
• The projected balance sheet ,
• The cash flow forecast ,
• And the sources and uses table .

Let's take a closer look at each of these.

The projected P&L statement

Your private zoo forecasted P&L statement enables the reader of your business plan to get an idea of how much revenue and profits your business is expected to make in the near future.

Ideally, your reader will want to see:

• Growth above the inflation level
• Expanding profit margins
• Positive net profit throughout the plan

Expectations for an established private zoo will of course be different than for a startup. Existing businesses which have reached their cruising altitude might have slower growth and higher margins than ventures just being started.

The projected balance sheet of your private zoo

Your private zoo's forecasted balance sheet enables the reader of your plan to assess your financial structure, working capital, and investment policy.

It is composed of three types of elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

• Assets: represent what the business owns and uses to produce cash flows. It includes resources such as cash, equipment, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
• Liabilities: represent funds advanced to the business by lenders and other creditors. It includes items such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers), taxes due and loans.
• Equity: is the combination of what has been invested by the business owners and the cumulative profits and losses generated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). Equity is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

Your private zoo's balance sheet will usually be analyzed in conjunction with the other financial statements included in your forecast.

Two key points of focus will be:

• Your private zoo's liquidity: does your business have sufficient cash and short-term assets to pay what it owes over the next 12 months?
• And its solvency: does your business have the capacity to repay its debt over the medium-term?

The cash flow forecast

A projected cash flow statement for a private zoo is used to show how much cash the business is generating or consuming.

The cash flow forecast is usually organized by nature to show three key metrics:

• The operating cash flow: do the core business activities generate or consume cash?
• The investing cash flow: how much is the business investing in long-term assets (this is usually compared to the level of fixed assets on the balance sheet to assess whether the business is regularly maintaining and renewing its equipment)?
• The financing cash flow: is the business raising new financing or repaying financiers (debt repayment, dividends)?

As we discussed earlier, cash is king and keeping an eye on future cash flows an imperative for running a successful business. Therefore, you can expect the reader of your private zoo business plan to pay close attention to your cash flow forecast.

Also, note that it is customary to provide both yearly and monthly cash flow forecasts in a business plan - so that the reader can analyze seasonal variation and ensure the private zoo is appropriately funded.

The initial financing plan

The initial financing plan - also called a sources and uses table - is an important tool when starting a private zoo.

It shows where the money needed to set up the business will come from (sources) and how it will be allocated (uses).

Having this table helps understand what costs are involved in setting up the private zoo, how the risks are distributed between the shareholders and the lenders, and what will be the starting cash position (which needs to be sufficient to sustain operations until the business breaks even).

Now that the financial forecast of a private zoo business plan is understood, let's focus on what goes into the written part of the plan.

The written part of a private zoo business plan plays a key role: it lays out the plan of action you intend to execute to seize the commercial opportunity you've identified on the market and provides the context needed for the reader to decide if they believe your plan to be achievable and your financial forecast to be realistic.

The written part of a private zoo business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

• The executive summary
• The presentation of the company
• The products and services
• The market analysis
• The strategy
• The operations
• The financial plan

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

The executive summary, the first section of your private zoo's business plan, serves as an inviting snapshot of your entire plan, leaving readers eager to know more about your business.

To compose an effective executive summary, start with a concise introduction of your business, covering its name, concept, location, history, and unique aspects. Share insights about the services or products you intend to offer and your target customer base.

Subsequently, provide an overview of your private zoo's addressable market, highlighting current trends and potential growth opportunities.

Then, present a summary of critical financial figures, such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

You should then include a summary of your key financial figures such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Lastly, address any funding needs in the "ask" section of your executive summary.

2. The presentation of the company

As you build your private zoo business plan, the second section deserves attention as it delves into the structure and ownership, location, and management team of your company.

In the structure and ownership part, you'll provide valuable insights into the legal structure of the business, the identities of the owners, and their respective investments and ownership stakes. This level of transparency is vital, particularly if you're seeking financing, as it clarifies which legal entity will receive the funds and who holds the reins of the business.

Moving to the location part, you'll offer a comprehensive view of the company's premises and articulate why this specific location is strategic for the business, emphasizing factors like catchment area, accessibility, and nearby amenities.

When describing the location of your private zoo, you may want to emphasize its potential for growth. You could mention its proximity to a major population center and to a well-traveled network of roads and highways. Additionally, you may want to emphasize the potential for increased tourism, as the area has a variety of attractions that could draw in customers from a wide area. Finally, you could make note of the potential for local investments in infrastructure, such as hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that could benefit from the presence of the zoo.

Lastly, you should introduce your esteemed management team. Provide a thorough explanation of each member's role, background, and extensive experience.

It's equally important to highlight any past successes the management team has achieved and underscore the duration they've been working together. This information will instil trust in potential lenders or investors, showcasing the strength and expertise of your leadership team and their ability to deliver the business plan.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of the offerings that your company provides to its customers. 

For example, your private zoo might offer guided tours, educational sessions, and animal encounters to its customers. Guided tours provide customers with an in-depth look at the animals, allowing them to learn more about the animals and their natural habitats. Educational sessions provide customers with an opportunity to learn more about conservation and animal welfare, as well as the importance of protecting our natural environment. Finally, animal encounters provide customers with an up-close and personal experience with the animals, allowing them to form a connection with the animals.

When drafting this section, you should be precise about the categories of products or services you sell, the types of customers you are targeting and how customers can buy them.

4. The market analysis

When you present your market analysis in your private zoo business plan, it's crucial to include detailed information about customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and any relevant regulations.

The main objective of this section is to help the reader understand the size and attractiveness of the market while demonstrating your solid understanding of the industry.

Begin with the demographics and segmentation subsection, providing an overview of the addressable market for your private zoo, the key trends in the marketplace, and introducing different customer segments along with their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

Next, focus on your target market, zooming in on the specific customer segments your private zoo aims to serve and explaining how your products and services fulfil their distinct needs.

For example, your target market might include affluent families. These families would be likely to have disposable income that they can spend on a private zoo experience. Additionally, they will likely be interested in the educational and experiential aspects that a private zoo offers. Finally, affluent families may also be interested in the opportunity to have exclusive access to areas of the zoo that the general public does not have access to.

Then proceed to the competition subsection, where you introduce your main competitors and highlight what sets you apart from them.

Finally, conclude your market analysis with an overview of the key regulations applicable to your private zoo.

5. The strategy section

When crafting the strategy section of your business plan for your private zoo, it's important to cover several key aspects, including your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, clearly explain what sets your company apart from competitors. This is particularly critical if you're a startup, as you'll be trying to establish your presence in the marketplace among entrenched players.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you aim to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to your customers.

For the sales & marketing plan, outline how you plan to reach and acquire new customers, as well as retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

In the milestones subsection, detail what your company has achieved thus far and outline your primary objectives for the coming years by including specific dates for expected progress. This ensures everyone involved has clear expectations.

Lastly, in the risks and mitigants subsection, list the main risks that could potentially impact the execution of your plan. Explain the measures you've taken to minimize these risks. This is vital for investors or lenders to feel confident in supporting your venture - try to proactively address any objection they might have.

Your private zoo could face a lot of risks. For example, there may be a rise in the cost of feed for the animals, which could lead to an increase in expenses. Additionally, there might be the risk of natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, or extreme weather which could damage the zoo's infrastructure and cause injury to the animals. In such cases, you may incur significant losses and disruption to your operations.

6. The operations section

The operations of your private zoo must be presented in detail in your business plan.

The first thing you should cover in this section is your staffing team, the main roles, and the overall recruitment plan to support the growth expected in your business plan. You should also outline the qualifications and experience necessary to fulfil each role, and how you intend to recruit (using job boards, referrals, or headhunters).

You should then state the operating hours of your private zoo - so that the reader can check the adequacy of your staffing levels - and any plans for varying opening times during peak season. Additionally, the plan should include details on how you will handle customer queries outside of normal operating hours.

The next part of this section should focus on the key assets and IP required to operate your business. If you depend on any licenses or trademarks, physical structures (equipment or property) or lease agreements, these should all go in there.

You may have key assets such as the animals themselves, which could be valuable intellectual property. Additionally, the zoo might have trademarks, patents, or copyrights for the name of the zoo, the logo, or any other original designs or materials created for the business.

Finally, you should include a list of suppliers that you plan to work with and a breakdown of their services and main commercial terms (price, payment terms, contract duration, etc.). Investors are always keen to know if there is a particular reason why you have chosen to work with a specific supplier (higher-quality products or past relationships for example).

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will include the financial forecast we discussed earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of what goes into a private zoo business plan, let's look at some of the tools you can use to create yours efficiently.

What tool should I use to write my private zoo's business plan?

There are two main ways of creating your private zoo business plan:

• Using specialized business planning software,
• Hiring a business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your private zoo's business plan

Using online business planning software is the most efficient and modern way to write a private zoo business plan.

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

• You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
• You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
• You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
• You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
• You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Hiring a business plan writer to write your private zoo's business plan

Outsourcing your private zoo business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

These writers possess valuable experience in crafting business plans and creating accurate financial forecasts. Additionally, enlisting their services can save you precious time, enabling you to concentrate on the day-to-day operations of your business.

It's important to be mindful, though, that hiring business plan writers comes with a cost. You'll be paying not just for their time but also for the software they use, and their profit margin.

Based on experience, a complete business plan usually requires a budget of at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax, and more if revisions are needed after initial meetings with lenders or investors - changes often arise following these discussions.

When seeking investment, be cautious about spending too much on consulting fees. Investors prefer their funds to contribute directly to business growth. Thus, the amount you spend on business plan writing services and other consulting services should be negligible compared to the amount you raise.

Another aspect to consider is that while you'll receive the output of the business plan, you usually won't own the actual document. It will be saved in the consultant's business plan software, which will make updating the plan challenging without retaining the consultant on a retainer.

Given these factors, it's essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons of outsourcing your private zoo business plan to a business plan writer and decide what best suits your business's unique needs.

Why not create your private zoo's business plan using Word or Excel?

Using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write a private zoo business plan is not advisable. Allow me to explain the reasons.

Firstly, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel or any spreadsheet demands technical expertise in accounting principles and financial modelling. Without a degree in finance and accounting and significant financial modelling experience, it's unlikely that the reader will fully trust your numbers.

Secondly, relying on spreadsheets is inefficient. While it may have been the go-to option in the past, technology has evolved, and software now performs such tasks much faster and more accurately.

The second reason is that it is inefficient. Building forecasts on spreadsheets was the only option in the early 2000s, nowadays technology has advanced and software can do it much faster and much more accurately.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Moreover, software offers ease in comparing actuals versus forecasts and maintaining up-to-date forecasts for clear visibility on future cash flows, as we discussed earlier in this guide. Such tasks are cumbersome when using spreadsheets.

Now, let's address the written part of your private zoo business plan. While it may be less prone to errors, using software can significantly boost productivity. Word processors lack instructions and examples for each section of your business plan. They also won't automatically update your numbers when changes occur in your forecast, and they lack automated formatting capabilities.

In summary, while some entrepreneurs may consider Word or Excel for their business plan, it's far from the best or most efficient solution when compared to specialized software.

• Having an up-to-date business plan is key to maintaining visibility on your future cash flows.
• A business plan has 2 parts: a financial forecast highlighting the expected growth, profitability and cash generation of the business; and a written part which provides the context needed to interpret and assess the quality of the forecast.
• Using business plan software is the modern way of writing and maintaining business plans.

We hope that this guide helped you to better understand how to write the business plan for a private zoo. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• How to write a 5 years business plan
• Business plan myths

Know someone who owns or wants to start a private zoo? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

Create a convincing business plan

Assess the profitability of your business idea and create a persuasive business plan to pitch to investors

500,000+ entrepreneurs have already tried our solution - why not join them?

Not ready to try our on-line tool ? Learn more about our solution here

Need some inspiration for your business plan?

Subscribe to The Business Plan Shop and gain access to our business plan template library.

Need a professional business plan? Discover our solution

Write your business plan with ease!

It's easy to create a professional business plan with The Business Plan Shop

Want to find out more before you try? Learn more about our solution here

Do I Need an LLC for My Petting Zoo Business?

Starting and running a petting zoo business can be a lot of fun, but it is also an undertaking that requires careful planning and preparation. Forming an LLC, or limited liability company, is one of the most important steps in setting up a successful petting zoo business and will protect you, your business partners, and your customers. Learn the five simple steps on how to set up an LLC for your petting zoo business right here.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• Best Agriculture Business Ideas & Examples in 2023
• 25 Catchy Petting Zoo Business Names:
• Petting Zoo Business Plan Template & Guidebook
• List of the Best Marketing Ideas For Your Petting Zoo Business:

7 Steps to Setting up an LLC for your Petting Zoo Business:)

1. pick a name for your petting zoo llc..

When naming your Airbnb LLC, it is important to consider the potential impact it could have on your business. Your name should be catchy and memorable, while still accurately representing the services that you provide, whether that’s rental properties or travel experiences. Consider the following tips when making a decision:

• Research the competition - Look at the names of other Airbnb businesses to get an idea of what is already out there. Are there any words or phrases that you find especially appealing?
• Be unique - Aim for a name that isn’t already in use, either online or in real life. A good rule of thumb is to make sure there aren’t any other companies with the same name.
• Think of a memorable phrase - If you’re having trouble coming up with something new and fresh, look for different adjectives and nouns to get your creative juices flowing.
• Stay relevant - Your name should be rooted in the concept of travel and hospitality, which can easily be accomplished by including keywords such as “lodging”, “vacation” or “rooms''.

powered by Namecheap

2. Choose a Registered Agent For Your Petting Zoo LLC.

Choosing a suitable registered agent for your new petting zoo LLC should be a top priority, as they will provide you with the support and advice necessary for the successful operation of your business. It's important to research potential candidates thoroughly to ensure that you're making the best decision for your petting zoo. Here are some tips to help you select a reliable registered agent:

• Look into their experience and qualifications - Ensure that your chosen registered agent has the required qualifications and experience, especially when it comes to handling the specific legal needs of running a petting zoo.
• Check their reputation - Search online for reviews written by former clients and look into any complaints that may have been lodged against them. Knowing what other customers have experienced will help you make an informed choice.
• Compare rates - Different registered agents may have different price points, so it’s important to shop around and compare different quotes. Keep in mind that cheaper options aren’t always best.
• Consider the location - Make sure that the registered agent you are considering is located in the same state where your petting zoo will be based. They should also have a good understanding of both local and federal laws.

3. File Your Petting Zoo LLC Certificate of Organization.

Starting a petting zoo business requires several steps to get off the ground. One of the most important steps is filing for the certificate of organization, which is a legal document that provides legal recognition for your petting zoo business. This document is usually filed with the secretary of state where you plan to operate your business. By following the necessary steps, you can quickly file your certificate of organization and move on to other start-up tasks.

• Contact your state's secretary of state office and ask for specifics on how to file your certificate.
• Fill out the forms to become an LLC or corporation, depending on which type of business entity you prefer.
• Obtain a physical address in the same state as you will be filing in and use it as the address for your business.
• Provide information about your proposed petting zoo's name, registered agent and how many members will be involved in the venture.
• Pay the fee associated with filing the certificate. Depending on what state you are located in, this fee can range from $50-$800.
• Submit all necessary paperwork to secretary of state office and wait for approval.

4. Draft Your Petting Zoo LLC Operating Agreement.

If you're looking to start a petting zoo business, an operating agreement is a must. It's the key to ensuring that all parties involved in the operation of your petting zoo are clear on their roles, responsibilities and expectations. An Operating Agreement should include the following key components:

• Defining the Purpose of the Petting Zoo
• Establishing Legal Documents and Requirements
• Outlining Rules and Regulations Governing the Petting Zoo
• Specifying Liabilities & Insurance Requirements
• Specifying Employees’ Rights & Responsibilities
• Addressing Animal Care and Welfare Standards
• Providing Customer Service Policies
• Explaining Health & Safety Procedures
• Setting Out Revenue-Generation & Marketing Strategies

With all these key points in place, you'll be able to keep everyone involved in your petting zoo business safe, secure and happy, from administrators and staff to customers, animals, and contractors. Ensure your petting zoo operating agreement is properly drafted and legally binding for a successful petting zoo business.

5. Grab Your Petting Zoo LLC EIN.

Obtaining an EIN number for a petting zoo business is a quick and straightforward process. An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique identification number used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify taxpayers that are required to file various business tax returns. With a few easy steps, you can apply for and obtain your EIN in no time.

• Visit the IRS website ( https://www.irs.gov/ ) to apply for an Employer Identification Number.
• Select the “Apply for an EIN” option in the navigation bar.
• Choose the most appropriate form of application from the various options available.
• Fill out all of the relevant information on the application form, including your petting zoo business name, industry, location and other information as required.
• Submit your application, with any additional documentation as necessary.
• Receive your EIN in approximately one week or less.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is it legally required to have an llc for your petting zoo business, what are the tax benefits for having an llc for your petting zoo business.

Forming an LLC for your petting zoo business can provide a variety of tax benefits that can help maximize your profits and make sure your business is compliant. With an LLC, your business will be viewed as its own entity, with its own unique set of benefits and liabilities. Here are some of the key tax advantages you can enjoy with an LLC:

• Pass-through taxation: An LLC is a "pass-through" entity, meaning that all profits and losses are passed directly to its members’ personal tax returns and aren’t subject to double taxation. This means that you only pay taxes on the income you earn from the petting zoo once, at the individual level.
• Protection from personal liability: As an LLC, you are considered a separate legal entity from its owners. This provides personal liability protection and keeps your business assets separate from your personal ones.
• Flexible tax filings: LLCs also have more flexibility when it comes to filing taxes. Depending on how many members you have, you can file taxes as a partnership or corporation.
• Self-employment tax savings: With an LLC, any money you put back into the business is not subject to self-employment taxes. This can add up and result in significant savings over time.

Overall, forming an LLC for your petting zoo business can provide numerous financial benefits in terms of taxes and asset protection. By taking advantage of these opportunities and considering all available options, you may be able to increase profits and ensure long-term success for your unique petting zoo venture.

What Does it Cost to Form an LLC For Your petting zoo Business?

What liability risks do petting zoo businesses face, additional resources for starting an petting zoobusiness:.

The petting zoo industry is a growing and thriving business, providing great opportunities for entrepreneurs who are passionate about animals and want to share them with others. Before you get started, there are several important resources that you need to use to ensure that your petting zoo business is successful. This includes researching your local market, obtaining permits, recruiting good staff and more. Here are some useful resources for entrepreneurs getting started in the petting zoo industry.

• Industry Associations: Get involved in the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) or the North American Petting Zoo Association (PZA) for helpful tips on setting up a petting zoo business.
• Government Organizations: Look into your local government’s regulations regarding petting zoos. You may need special permits or licences to run your business.
• Business Courses: Many online courses provide advice and tips on starting a petting zoo business, such as "Start Your Own Petting Zoo Business" from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
• Existing Petting Zoo Owners: Reach out to existing owners in the industry who can provide valuable advice on how to get started in the industry and run a successful petting zoo.
• Events: Attend conferences, trade shows and other related events to find out more information about the industry from experienced professionals.

Other LLCs Your Can Start:

Yoga Studio

Vending Machine

Window Washing

Window Tinting

I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

How To Start a Petting Zoo

Steps to Starting a Petting Zoo

Starting a petting zoo is a big step that affects your finances and professional life. I suggest you take your time and talk to experienced people for advice, and I have a few tips to help you. This post will look at the steps you need to take, to start. We will then go over some points to consider before you get started.

Let’s get started with the steps you need.

1. Research

Business research.

The most important step you can take is research! The more you know about owning and running a petting zoo, the fewer surprises you will encounter. Therefore, it’s highly advisable to seek advice from experienced people. For all the details, See An Inside Look Into the Business You Want To Start.

Target Audience

You must understand the customers you plan to target. If you don’t understand your customers, you won’t be able to advertise correctly or cater to your customers’ needs. For more, see, How To Understand Your Target Market

2. Choosing The Right Business Location

The area you choose to open is critical. If you locate your zoo in an area where people are not interested, you will be spending time and money for nothing.

You must ensure the area is appropriate and there is a demand. Yes, there will be adults that will come to your petting zoo, but children and their parents are a significant part of your target market, so you need to make sure there are a significant amount of children in the area. For more, see Choosing The Best Location for Your Business.

3. Choose a Business Name

The name you choose for your business is something that needs time to be appropriate from the start. Business names rarely change, and you must remember that the one you choose now is the name you will have as long as you own your business. For this important step, see How to Choose a Business Name.

4. Legalizing Your Company

Registration:.

It’s critical to ensure your business is legal and set up correctly for tax purposes and liabilities. For example, a sole proprietorship is the easiest and quickest to set up, but it offers the least protection for your assets and doesn’t offer many tax-saving advantages. See, How to Register your Business  for more.

All petting zoos that operate in the United States are normally required to have a Class C Exhibitor’s License issued by the Department of Agriculture. In addition, you may need a Class C license or other exotic animal permits.

You will need to contact the authorities in your area for information on what steps you must take to be issued all required licenses and permits.  See Our Page on Licenses and Permits

5. Create Your Corporate ID

A corporate ID consists of components such as; a logo, brochure, business sign, website, stationary, promotional items, and business cards . Your corporate ID is the face of your business and one of the ways your customers identify your company. Therefore, your Corporate Identity must be professionally designed to make a positive impression on your customers.

Corporate ID’s can be expensive, and when starting, you can choose the components you need during the startup phase. Then, you can complete the remaining components as your business expands. See A Complete Introduction to Corporate Identity Packages for more.

6. Estimating Startup Cost

Estimating your startup costs is an important step. If you estimate startup costs on the low side, you will run out of money before you open. On the other hand, if your estimate is too high, it makes it harder to get the funding you need, and when looking at profitability, it could look like a risky venture. So research the costs you need and do your best to plan costs accurately. For more, see, Estimating Startup Costs.

7. Writing a Business Plan

You will want to create a business plan to stay on track and have a roadmap for starting and operating your business. You will need a business plan if you intend on getting investors or require a business loan. There are many options if to creating this important document. If you don’t know how to create one, see How to Write a Business Plan.

8. Set up Your Banking

Choosing a bank and more importantly, developing a relationship with a good banker is a priority. You want a bank in your area, especially if you deal with a lot of cash. You don’t want to keep a lot of cash on hand. You are better off making multiple deposits. You won’t make frequent deposits if your bank is located in a distant area.

As mentioned you want to build a relationship with your banker. They can help you with loan approvals and offer valuable financial advice. The better your relationship, the more they are willing to help when they can.

You’ll also need to set up a merchant account that will allow you to accept credit cards. Many of your customers will want to pay for entry and other items you offer with their debit and credit cards. Without a merchant account, you will have to ask for cash, which is an inconvenience for your customers and will cause you to lose business.

For more see, How to Open a Business Bank Account. You may also want to look at, What Is a Merchant Account and How to Get One.

9. Get the Funding for Your Operation

It’s time to get the funds you need to start and operate your business. A lack of funds is one of the main reasons many companies don’t last. Getting a business loan isn’t easy because of the risks involved. Other options include getting investors, selling off assets, using your own money, etc.

You need to secure the funding before moving forward. Starting without the funds you need to open your doors to the public, is a bad idea. Getting some of the money now and then getting the rest after you’ve made progress may seem like the best course of action, but if you don’t get the remaining funds, you won’t be able to proceed and you will lose your investment. See, Getting a Small Business Loan for more.

10. Software Setup

You’ll need various software packages to run your business, such as packages for bookkeeping and products such as Microsoft office. There is also software specializing in zoo operations, to help enhance your visitor’s experience and help you organize your operation. Using the right software will enhance your operations and make running your business easier. Check out Google’s Latest Search Results for Software Packages Related to a Petting Zoo.

11. Get The Right Business Insurance

Insurance is a must for any business. With a Petting zoo, you must have sufficient coverage for your customers. Any incident that may occur can result in a huge cost. You must have sufficient insurance coverage for your customers, employees, and property. Insurance costs are a part of doing business. Make sure you have the cost of insurance in your operating budget.

For more, see What to Know About Business Insurance . You will also want to browse the latest Google Search Results for Petting Zoo Insurance .

12. Physical Setup

Depending on the size of your operation, there could be a lot of work to physically set up your petting zoo. You will want to ensure safety first for your customers, employees, and animals. You need to focus on the layout and paths for visitors to follow and visit the animals in your zoo.

You will also want to set up your office correctly because you need an area where you can manage your business. Your office needs to be organized so you can save time and be productive when managing your business. See, Here are Considerations for The Setup of Your Office  for the details.

The signage for your zoo is an important part of your setup. If you completed your Corporate ID, you would already have your logo created, and you will want to incorporate your logo into your business sign. For more, see, All About Company Signs.

13. Creating a Website

Your website plays an instrumental role in your business. You use it to connect with your customers. You can provide them with information like hours of operation, and what to expect when customers visit. Marketing can also be done through your website, therefore you want to spend time creating a website that is just right for your business.

You will want to register a domain name and get a reliable web host. Using your own domain and web host gives you control of your online property. Sure you can add pages and accounts on social media like a Facebook page but you don’t have much control over those accounts. Your main online presence should be your website. For more, see How to Build a Website .

14. Create an External Support Team

You need a group of people that are not on your payroll and people you can depend on for advice and services. This group of people includes lawyers, financial advisors, accountants, tech experts, marketers, etc. These are the people that will help you keep your business in operation and help you expand if there is an opportunity . For more, see, Building a Team of Professional Advisors for Your Business.

15. Hiring Employees

In the beginning, you could be planning to do everything yourself, and that’s a good idea and possible with a small operation, but if your business expands, you will need to hire a crew to help you with operations. The cost of a large payroll can be crippling to a business. Therefore, you need to only fill those positions that are necessary. For more, see, How and When to Hire a New Employee.

Next Steps to Evaluate

Getting customers through the door.

You now have an overview of the steps you need to take to start your business, and at this point, it’s time to get people to visit. Without customers, all your efforts are wasted. From step one, you researched your target audience and know it’s time to do some marketing. You can look at our article How To Get Customers Through the Door , you’ll find a few ideas you can use.

A Grand Opening

Another way to bring awareness to your petting zoo is to have a grand opening. This is a big event that needs planning and an effective advertising campaign, for people to attend. For the details, see How To Plan a Grand Opening.

Marketing Ideas

There are also numerous articles from A Touch of Business to get the word out, including online as well as offline marketing ideas. See our Marketing Section and explore those techniques that interest you.

A Quick Overview of a Petting Zoo Business

This business offers a variety of niches, including permanent or traveling petting zoos, where you can take your zoo to schools, senior homes, and of course, birthday parties.

It might look good on paper to decide that you want fifteen large animals, but you have to look at the practical aspects of having that many animals to care for daily.

To run a local or mobile petting zoo correctly will take a lot of effort in providing animal care, shelter, and maintaining health standards.

• Cleaning animals
• Maintenance and cleaning of animal corrals and cages
• Feeding and watering
• Veterinary records and shot record keeping
• Providing animal-specific diets
• Experience in animal or veterinary care is a plus
• Monitoring visitor interactions with the animals
• Common Business Skills

Hours of Operation:

Animal care, in general, is a 24/7 job. Hours of operation for visits will vary according to when you’re busy. For example, on weekends, you would probably have extended hours.

Plan to spend about two to four hours feeding all the animals, cleaning their areas, and checking on their health before and after visits and at regular times throughout each day.

Equipment and Supplies

• Pens, cages, corrals
• Truck & Trailer
• An area to set up your zoo
• Rakes, Shovels, Buckets, Gloves, Rope
• Heating and air conditioning units
• First-aid kit
• Trash bags or containers for debris and animal droppings
• Onsite dumpster
• Composting containers
• Essential Office Equipment

Monthly Expenses and Operating Costs To Consider:

• Animal housing
• Animal Care
• Fuel for mobile animal transportation
• Temporary permits if set up on a fairground
• Small Business Expenses

Approximate Minimum Startup Cost:

Naturally, your costs will depend on the size of your operation. For example, a petting zoo in your backyard will cost almost nothing compared to a multi-acre setup. Some of the Costs include; advertising, licenses, permits, the cost of the animals, and insurance coverage. You must also factor in the cost to lease or own the land and barn and set up expenses such as fences.

Tips and Considerations:

• You will want to protect your assets if someone becomes injured while visiting your zoo. Therefore, be sure to purchase the right liability insurance. To do this, contact a qualified insurance broker.
• Adequate space for both the animals and visitors is a must. An acre or two will be significant for a small to a midsize petting zoo.
• Make sure that the land is accessible to the public and that there are no land restrictions near your zoo, especially for exotic zoo operations.
• It is also a good idea to check land and building codes with your state’s zoning department to know certain zoning bylaws. Lastly, ensure that all predatory animals are kept away from their prey to avoid attack or situation. Finally, always do extensive research, and seek the advice and assistance of zoo experts and animal care specialists.
• Create guideposts to direct visitors where they can see all the animals during their tours. Have signs close by with facts and details describing each animal by species. Also, ensure your facility is secure enough to be completely safe for your visitors.
• Always purchase your animals from a licensed vendor. Examine these credentials carefully to ensure they are updated by a government-sponsored organization or state commission. The basic criteria when selecting your animals are that they are people-friendly, are well-behaved around other animals, have been properly cared for by the previous owner, and are disease-free. If you decide to purchase animals for an exotic zoo business, contact your local authorities to secure permits for handling such animals if necessary.
• Always provide your animals with a healthy diet, proper physical fitness, and regular vaccinations. Give them lots of love and nurturing. Pay very close attention to behavior patterns, and watch for signs of odd conduct and unhealthy emotional issues. Address all health concerns immediately as they occur. Completely groom them daily, and keep them as comfortable and happy as possible. Allow them to rest and play when needed.
• Keep your operation sanitary, and ensure that you adjust the temperature settings for your animal facility according to weather conditions. Maintain adequate heating for the cold winter season.
• Starting a mobile petting zoo will need mobile units to transport your animals from one location to the next. You can start by leasing trailers and trucks for tours to schools, private parties, and county fairs. After raising a bit more capital, you should invest in your own trailers and trucks. Make sure they are cleaned regularly, in good mechanical condition, and are properly registered and insured.

Pros and Cons:

• Ideal business for animal lovers
• Excellent side business for farms and ranches
• You get to work outside
• You provide a fun and educational service
• This business is completely expandable
• Minimal competition
• You can be your own boss
• Work tends to slow down during the winter months
• Heavy lifting and hauling machinery of all different types are required
• Caring for sick animals can get extremely costly
• Chance of visitors getting hurt or bitten (hence, high liability insurance costs)
• Many hours of upkeep
• Numerous laws, rules, and regulations to comply with
• Opposition from animal activists
• Zoning laws may restrict the types or numbers of animals you can keep on your property
• High startup cost

The news is one way to stay up to date on what the media is covering related to petting zoos. I like using Google news because it’s quick and is updated constantly. You can even set up a Google alert to device notification any time something new is published. See Google’s news search results related to petting zoos.

Videos are another source of information to gain ideas and get an inside look at established petting zoos. When watching a video on YouTube, the site will display a list of related videos. I find these useful because they are related to topics you may not have considered and are worth looking into.

See the most recent videos related to petting zoos.

Privacy Overview

• Website Design & Development Services
• Startup Branding
• Paid Marketing
• Organic Marketing
• Market Research
• Business Plans
• Pitch Decks
• Financial Forecast
• Industry Market Research Reports
• Social Media & Website Guides
• Case Studies
• Services Marketing Website Design & Development Services Startup Branding Paid Marketing Organic Marketing Consulting Market Research Business Plans Pitch Decks Financial Forecast
• About Resources Articles Templates Industry Market Research Reports Social Media & Website Guides Case Studies Team

How to start a petting zoo business

Explore Options to Get a Business Plan.

Are you interested in starting your own Petting Zoo Business?

Why write a business plan?

• Business Plans can help to articulate and flesh out the business’s goals and objectives. This can be beneficial not only for the business owner, but also for potential investors or partners
• Business Plans can serve as a roadmap for the business, helping to keep it on track and on target. This is especially important for businesses that are growing and evolving, as it can be easy to get sidetracked without a clear plan in place.
• Business plans can be a valuable tool for communicating the business’s vision to employees, customers, and other key stakeholders.
• Business plans are one of the most affordable and straightforward ways of ensuring your business is successful.
• Business plans allow you to understand your competition better to critically analyze your unique business proposition and differentiate yourself from the market.
• Business Plans allow you to better understand your customer. Conducting a customer analysis is essential to create better products and services and market more effectively.
• Business Plans allow you to determine the financial needs of the business leading to a better understanding of how much capital is needed to start the business and how much fundraising is needed.
• Business Plans allow you to put your business model in words and analyze it further to improve revenues or fill the holes in your strategy.
• Business plans allow you to attract investors and partners into the business as they can read an explanation about the business.
• Business plans allow you to position your brand by understanding your company’s role in the marketplace.
• Business Plans allow you to uncover new opportunities by undergoing the process of brainstorming while drafting your business plan which allows you to see your business in a new light. This allows you to come up with new ideas for products/services, business and marketing strategies.
• Business Plans allow you to access the growth and success of your business by comparing actual operational results versus the forecasts and assumptions in your business plan. This allows you to update your business plan to a business growth plan and ensure the long-term success and survival of your business.

Business Plan Content

• Executive Summary
• Company Overview
• Industry Analysis
• Consumer Analysis
• Competitor Analysis & Advantages
• Marketing Strategies & Plan
• Plan of Action
• Management Team

The financial forecast template is an extensive Microsoft Excel sheet with Sheets on Required Start-up Capital, Salary & Wage Plans, 5-year Income Statement, 5-year Cash-Flow Statement, 5-Year Balance Sheet, 5-Year Financial Highlights and other accounting statements that would cost in excess of £1000 if obtained by an accountant.

The financial forecast has been excluded from the business plan template. If you’d like to receive the financial forecast template for your start-up, please contact us at [email protected] . Our consultants will be happy to discuss your business plan and provide you with the financial forecast template to accompany your business plan.

Instructions for the Business Plan Template

To complete your perfect Petting Zoo business plan, fill out the form below and download our Petting Zoo business plan template. The template is a word document that can be edited to include information about your Petting Zoo business. The document contains instructions to complete the business plan and will go over all sections of the plan. Instructions are given in the document in red font and some tips are also included in blue font. The free template includes all sections excluding the financial forecast. If you need any additional help with drafting your business plan from our business plan template, please set up a complimentary 30-minute consultation with one of our consultants.

Ongoing Business Planning

Want a bespoke business plan for your petting zoo business, our expertise.

Website Design & Development for Petting Zoo Businesses

A Guide to Social Media for Petting Zoo Businesses

Petting Zoo Business Plan Template FAQs

What is a business plan for a/an petting zoo business, how to customize the business plan template for a petting zoo business, what financial information should be included in a petting zoo business plan, are there industry-specific considerations in the petting zoo business plan template, how to conduct market research for a petting zoo business plan, what are the common challenges when creating a business plan for a petting zoo business, how often should i update my petting zoo business plan, can i use the business plan template for seeking funding for a petting zoo business, what legal considerations are there in a petting zoo business plan.

Start a Zoo Business

The Wild Calling: Merging Passion and Profitin Your Own Zoo

ZOO BUSINESS

Related business ideas, discover your perfect domain, zoo mini business plan, expected percent margin:, earnings expectations:, actions to hit those numbers:, animal care and maintenance:, marketing and customer acquisition:, ticket sales:, concessions and souvenirs:, cost control:, other revenue streams:, not what you had in mind here are more ideas, grab your business website name, step 1: determine if a zoo business is right for you, breakdown of startup expenses, breakdown of ongoing expenses, examples of ways to make money, step 2: name the business, step 3: establish a legal entity, types of legal entities, benefits of establishing a legal entity, step 4: obtain licenses and permits, types of licenses and permits, benefits of obtaining licenses and permits, step 5: create a business plan, components of a business plan, benefits of creating a business plan, step 6: secure financing, types of financing, benefits of securing financing, step 7: find a location, factors to consider when choosing a location, benefits of finding the right location, step 8: hire employees, tips for hiring employees, benefits of hiring the right employees, step 9: market the business, types of marketing strategies - there are many types of marketing strategies that can be used to help get the word out about the business. these strategies include online marketing, print advertising, and word of mouth. online marketing can be done through social media, email campaigns, and search engine optimization. social media can be used to create a presence for the business and to reach potential customers. email campaigns can be used to send out newsletters and updates about the business. search engine optimization can help the business show up higher in search engine results. print advertising can include newspaper ads, flyers, and brochures. newspaper ads can be used to reach a large audience. flyers can be distributed in the local area to reach potential customers. brochures can be used to provide information about the business and its services. word of mouth is a great way to reach potential customers and can be done through networking and referrals. networking can be done by attending local events and talking to people in the community. referrals can be done by asking existing customers to refer their friends and family., benefits of effective marketing - there are many benefits to effective marketing. effective marketing can help the business reach a larger audience and increase customer awareness. it can also help the business build a positive reputation and create a loyal customer base. effective marketing can also help the business stand out from the competition and generate more sales. finally, effective marketing can help the business increase its profits and grow its customer base., explore more categories, take the next steps.

How to Start a Mobile Petting Zoo Party Business

• Small Business
• Types of Businesses to Start
• Starting a Pet Business
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Pinterest" aria-label="Share on Pinterest">
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Reddit" aria-label="Share on Reddit">
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Flipboard" aria-label="Share on Flipboard">

Marketing Ideas for Healthy Pet Foods

How to open a small pet store, how to start a child photography business.

• Department Store Event Ideas
• How to Start a Home Business in Baby-Sitting

Kids love petting zoos. A mobile petting zoo business can take the animals to the birthday boy or girl, arrive at events, hit the local park and go anywhere there is a need for a petting zoo. A mobile petting zoo helps reduce property insurance costs that one run out from a business or home location incurs. As a business owner, you also broaden the range of customers, because the business goes to locations that are convenient to your customers. According to Entrepreneur.com, it costs between $10,000 and $50,000 to start a petting zoo.

Acquire the animals for your petting zoo. Add a couple of medium-sized animals such as a goat and a miniature pony. The rest of the animals can include rabbits, a puppy and chickens. Socialize the animals from a young age by inviting friends and family with children to visit. Get the animals used to being handled.

Purchase equipment and supplies. You will need a trailer and truck to transport the animals. Buy or build fencing that you can put up and take down easily. Other items needed include hay, feed for the animals and small cups that the children can carry the food in when feeding the pets.

Obtain licenses and insurance. You will need a general business license available through the secretary of state. Check with the board of health in your area to see if there are any special requirements for livestock businesses. Contact your insurance agent and inquire about business automobile insurance and liability insurance in case an animal were to bite a child. An Association of Zoos and Aquariums membership and accreditation will likely reduce your insurance costs.

Hire and train employees. It is vital that children have proper supervision while attending your mobile petting zoo. Children don't always know to treat an animal gently. Trained staff can step in and direct the child in how to treat the animal so both the child and the pet are protected.

Promote your business and gain customers. Create a website showcasing pictures of your animals and information on your mobile petting zoo. Purchase business cards with your business name and contact information. Make up a brochure that lists party packages and prices. Pass out brochures and business cards to everyone you know and ask them to spread the word. Send a press release to local newspapers. Post a flyer at the library and grocery store.

• Association of Acquariums and Zoos: Accreditation
• Create rules for anyone handling your pets and share them with both adults and children before allowing them into your petting zoo.

Lori Soard has been a writer since 1995, covering a variety of topics for local newspapers and magazines such as "Woman's World." For five years, she served as a site editor for a large online information portal. Soard is also the author of several published books, both fiction and nonfiction.

Related Articles

How to become a purina feed distributor, how to start a face-painting business, how to start a dog walking business for a kid, marketing strategy for cut flowers, how to run & operate a grooming business, marketing strategies for herbal soap, how to start a freshwater shrimp business, how to start a fried dough business, what can i deduct for a fly fishing guide business, most popular.

• 1 How to Become a Purina Feed Distributor
• 2 How to Start a Face-Painting Business
• 3 How to Start a Dog Walking Business for a Kid
• 4 Marketing Strategy for Cut Flowers

How does a town of 200 prepare for 100,000 eclipse visitors? For Hochatown, tourism is 'our bread and butter'

Millions of Americans will watch the sky darken on Monday as the moon completely blocks out the sun for a few short minutes.

Many of those in the path of the total solar eclipse will be visitors from near and far — and tens of thousands of them are expected to watch the celestial event from a small town nestled in Oklahoma's Kiamichi Mountains.

Hochatown, Oklahom a, is a town of 200 residents, but don't let that number fool you. The community is flush with tourists every weekend, mostly coming from Texas to relax in a cabin and spend time in the outdoors, thanks to its proximity to Beavers Bend State Park and Broken Bow Lake.

But the number of visitors to Hochatown, which is located on either side of the two-lane State Highway 259, could be up to 100,000 on Monday, the day it will be in the path of totality of the 2024 solar eclipse.

That's double what they see on a fully booked weekend, said Mayor Dian Jordan.

More: What time is the solar eclipse? Search your ZIP code for a viewing guide

50,000 to 100,000 visitors for the eclipse? That's Hochatown's 'bread and butter'

How will the town handle so many?

"We're used to dealing with tourists," Jordan said. "I mean, that's our bread and butter, those are our businesses. We feed them, we take care of them, we house them, we entertain them. So we feel like the eclipse is just another weekend."

Hochatown sees an average of 30,000 each weekend and expects 50,000 this weekend with accommodations 95% booked. With only one way in and out of town, the town is no stranger to backed-up traffic, and businesses are used to serving thousands each weekend.

But of course, some additional preparations are being made. Like the 30 port-a-potties the town rented to be placed up and down the highway.

And Jordan said because McCurtain County is the only county in Oklahoma seeing 100% totality, it's been easy to get help from the state.

Along with Oklahoma National Guard troops, 70 additional highway patrolmen will be present. The McCurtain County Health Department also has called in extra sanitarians to inspect restaurants.

"If this had been the whole state, we would have been struggling for resources," Jordan said. "But as it is, they understand, we're a brand-new town, we're all volunteers."

Traffic gridlock expected on two-lane highway through Hochatown

One of the biggest concerns is the expected traffic gridlock as thousands try to make their way along the two-lane highway.

But Jordan said the town, and all of McCurtain County, has been preparing for more than a year for the chaos the eclipse is likely to bring.

Hochatown's Community Emergency Response Team is prepared to hop on ATVs and ride on the side of the highway, in case of emergencies.

The members of the Hochatown Volunteer Fire Department will stay in a home close to town so they can be present without worrying about traffic. The same is true for the rural water district employees, who will stay at the water department in case they need to respond to broken water lines or other emergencies.

Solar eclipse warnings piling up: Should Oklahomans be worried on April 8, 2024?

Hochatown businesses make plans ahead of solar eclipse

Business owners are planning some changes, as well, including having employees stay at work the night before the eclipse, and plan to potentially stay Monday night, too.

The Hochatown Rescue Center and Petting Zoo will be fully staffed on Monday, and employees are prepared to have "a slumber party," said supervisor Kayla Tucker.

"It's one of those things where we've never had to face this before, so we're not fully sure what to expect," Tucker said. "We just kind of expect the worst and be prepared for that, and hope for the best."

The local hardware store has ordered extra emergency supplies like tarps, flashlights and gas cans, Jordan said.

At the Beavers Bend Mining Co. , which is just north of the entrance to Beavers Bend State Park and is within walking distance of the petting zoo, owner Billy Brooks said the idea of the eclipse and so many people coming to town is "a little unnerving."

"How do you prepare for something that the town has never really experienced?" Brooks asked. "I mean, you can prepare to a certain extent, and you try to guess what people are going to do. You try to guess how many people are going to be here ... what kind of dangers, what kind of unique situations you're going to encounter. But that's what they are. They're guesses. And so we hope we guess correctly."

Brooks said they will have a food truck on-site ready to grill and serve more than their typical coffee and pastries, anticipating some customers may not be able to leave due to traffic. He also said they are adding several new activities — in addition to panning for real gemstones, uncovering dinosaur fossils and playing at Pirate's Cove — to keep people entertained before and after the eclipse.

Brooks, his wife and their Yorkie will stay in their RV on-site, expecting difficulties getting back to their home in Broken Bow. He also said his employees are prepared to spend the night if the need arises.

More: Camping out for the eclipse? Plan for poor cell service, winding roads and maybe wildfires

Tips for visiting Hochatown during the 2024 solar eclipse

Hochatown's mayor and business owners have some tips for eclipse visitors:

• Fill up with gas before you get to town. Don't expect to be able to get gas in Hochatown or on your way out, in case of fuel shortages due to trucks carrying fuel not being able to reach gas stations.
• If you're staying overnight, bring all your food with you to your cabin. The nearest grocery store (Pruett's Food) is 10 miles south in Broken Bow.
• Keep food and medical supplies in your vehicle. There's no telling how long you'll be stuck in traffic.
• Bring plenty of cash. At some point, cellular service may go down, affecting businesses' ability to accept credit and debit cards.
• Bring a physical map, or screenshots on your phone, in case you lose service.
• Pre-program any emergency phone numbers you may need, like local first responders and the management for your cabin.
• Make contingency plans in case you're unable to make it home after the eclipse, including a plan for someone to care for any animals back home.
• Bring your own eclipse glasses in case businesses run out.
• Make sure you're not parking on private property, like someone's backyard.

Most importantly, Jordan is asking visitors to "bring their patience. It's a party, it's a celestial event, just plan on having a good time."

Total solar eclipse

When: The  eclipse will cross southeastern Oklahoma at the Red River about 12:27 p.m. Monday and exit the state about 3:07 p.m.

Totality path: It will completely cover McCurtain County and partially cover Choctaw, Bryan, Atoka, Pushmataha, Latimer and Le Flore counties. It will last only from about 1:44 p.m. to 1:51 p.m.

Statewide: Much of Oklahoma will have at least 90% totality.

Viewing: Be prepared with special eclipse glasses , which will be required to block out the sun's harmful rays. 

Wonder Gardens signs 10-year agreement to run, update 'community treasure' in Bonita Springs

Southwest Florida's oldest roadside attraction isn't going anywhere.

The Wonder Gardens – formerly known as the Everglades Wonder Gardens – just signed a new operating agreement with the City of Bonita Springs.

As part of the public-private partnership, the nonprofit will pay the city $50,000 a year in rent for the next 10 years and make at least $3 million in capital improvements during that time, according to a news release from the Wonder Gardens and the City of Bonita Springs.

“The City is happy to have reached a comprehensive agreement for such a staple in downtown Bonita Springs," Bonita Mayor Rick Steinmeyer said in the release. "The Wonder Gardens is reminiscent of Old Florida, giving a connection to the past for our community."

Wonder Gardens: Home to more than 300 animals in Bonita Springs

The Wonder Gardens has gone through many changes since opening in 1936 as the Everglades Reptile Gardens. Now it's a botanical garden and animal refuge that's home to more than 300 rescued, rehabilitated and non-releasable animals.

That menagerie includes alligators, flamingoes, parrots, turtles, tortoises and Chinese golden pheasants. The attraction also features hundreds of native and exotic plants: Fruit and nut trees, palms, orchids, water lilies, ferns and even Ylang-Ylang trees (the scent used for Chanel No. 5 perfume).

The City of Bonita Springs approved the renewable agreement after a second reading at the April 3 City of Bonita Springs Council meeting.

“We’re so pleased to continue our relationship and collaboration with the City of Bonita Springs…" said Wonder Gardens president and CEO Neil Anderson in the release. "And (we) welcome the vision and commitment to honoring the Wonder Garden’s legacy as an iconic representation of Old Florida at its best, while ensuring its relevancy and sustainability as a beloved community institution in the heart of Bonita Springs."

The City of Bonita Springs owns the 3.5 acres on Old 41 Road that house the Wonder Gardens. According to the agreement, any naming rights, subleases and property improvements need city approval.

A new chapter in Wonder Gardens history

A group of Southwest Florida residents started the nonprofit Bonita Wonder Gardens, Inc. in 2015 and contracted to buy the attraction and save it from possible commercial development. But the City took the title to the land in 2018 when that group – after a $3 million loan from the city − wasn't able to make payments on its mortgage.

The new agreement allows the City and the Wonder Gardens to move forward, including developing a master plan for new exhibits and improvements and seeking accreditation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

“The support of the City allows us to update and expand the Wonder Gardens experience while continuing what makes the Wonder Gardens so special," Anderson said. "With the City’s collaboration, we look forward to enhancing all that makes the Wonder Gardens a beloved community treasure that represents a link to the rich, cultural legacy of Bonita Springs.”

The Wonder Gardens is located at 27180 Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs. For more information, call 992-2591 or visit wondergardens.org .

— Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at [email protected] . Follow or message him on social media: Facebook ( facebook.com/charles.runnells.7 ), X (formerly Twitter) ( @charlesrunnells ), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram ( @crunnells1 ).

Frustrated Dollar Tree shoppers threaten to ditch the store after it announces $7 items

• Dollar Tree customers say they'll shop at Walmart  and elsewhere as the store adds more expensive items.
• The retailer said in March that some items would cost up to $7. 
• Despite some higher-income shoppers, many dollar-store customers are still on a tight budget.

Dollar Tree is adding items with prices as high as $7, causing customers to question whether shopping at the dollar store is even worth it anymore.

Everything at Dollar Tree was a single price for years: $1, then $1.25. That helped it stand out from Dollar General , which has sold merchandise at various price points for years.

Now, as Dollar Tree strays from its traditional pricing strategy, customers are considering shopping elsewhere.

Scott Kolack, a shopper at a Dollar Tree store in West Palm Beach, Florida, told the local TV station WPTV that if items were to go up to $7, "that'd be too much," adding: "I'd rather just get everything at Walmart."

In the weeks since the $7 price announcement, some Dollar Tree customers have commented on the company's Instagram posts expressing their displeasure.

"$7 dollar store!! Not shopping with y'all no more," one comment on a March 25 post reads.

"$1.25 was acceptable, but $7?" another commenter wrote a few days later. "We might as well go to Five Below , Family Dollar, Dollar General. Don't be surprised when business depreciates."

Related stories

Dollar Tree didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

The higher prices aren't coming to all Dollar Tree stores right away. CEO Rick Dreiling said earlier this year that a selection of about 300 items, which are priced from $1.50 to $7, was being rolled out to 3,000 Dollar Tree locations. The company operates about 8,000 stores under the Dollar Tree brand, as well as a similar number that uses the Family Dollar name.

Last year, Dollar Tree started experimenting with prices as high as $5. The more-expensive products included items that the retailer's executives said they hadn't previously been able to offer, such as frozen waffles and coffee creamer.

Some shoppers have flocked to dollar stores to save money as inflation has pushed prices for many consumer goods higher. Dollar Tree has even said it's noticed more customers who make six-figure incomes stopping by its stores.

But one Dollar Tree store manager in Minnesota — who worked for the company for a decade and a half before leaving in 2022 — told BI that many other less-affluent Dollar Tree customers were likely to be turned off by the higher prices.

The manager recalled that many customers bought fewer items after Dollar Tree's 2021 decision to increase prices to $1.25.

"Your average sale should actually go up a little bit if they're paying more," the manager said, adding that he instead noticed people counting at the registers and saying: "Oh, geez, I'm at $5 already. That's only four items."

"A quarter don't sound like much, but when that's the people you're catering to, it is a lot," he said.

Do you work at Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General, or another retailer and have a story idea to share? Reach out to this reporter at [email protected]

Watch: The surprising reason millennial parents are miserable

• Main content

Advertisement

Supported by

Anxiety, Bedtime and Mating: How Animals May React to the Eclipse

When the total solar eclipse happens on Monday, animals at homes, farms and zoos may act strangely. Researchers can’t wait to see what happens when day quickly turns to night.

• Share full article

By Juliet Macur and Emily Anthes

This article is part of The Times’s coverage of the April 8 eclipse , the last time a total solar eclipse will be visible in most of North America for 20 years.

While millions of people are preparing to watch the total solar eclipse that will make its way across North America on Monday, the animals in that affected area — in homes, on farms, in zoos and in the wild — missed the news that the moon will block the sun, briefly turning day into night.

How they react to that swift and unexpected change of light and temperature, which in some places will last as long as four and a half minutes, is anyone’s guess.

Cows may mosey into their barns for bedtime. Flamingoes may huddle together in fear. The giant, slow-motion Galápagos tortoise may even get frisky and mate.

Circadian rhythms might take a noticeable hit, with nocturnal animals mistakenly waking up and starting their day only to realize that, whoa, nighttime is already over. And then there will be some animals, perhaps particularly lazy domestic cats or warthogs focused on foraging, who might not give the dark sky a second thought.

“Everybody wants to see how they are going to react,” said Robert Shumaker, the chief executive and president of the Indianapolis Zoo, which will experience nearly four minutes of darkness. It’s one of several prominent zoos situated along the path of totality, a gentle arc stretching from Texas to Maine, where researchers, animal keepers, volunteers and the public will be studying the animals’ response to the eclipse.

Dr. Shumaker, an expert in animal behavior and cognition, said that “most of the animals, of course, they’re going to notice that there’s something unusual happening.”

Most animals will likely be confused by the darkness and will start their nighttime routines, said Dr. M. Leanne Lilly, a veterinary behaviorist at Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

But the way humans react to the eclipse — looking at the sky, expressing excitement or gathering in a group — could affect domesticated animals, like dogs or cats, because pets can act strangely when their humans are acting strangely, Dr. Lilly said.

“That can make any of our domestic animals feel like things are not as safe and predictable as they are supposed to be,” Dr. Lilly said, adding that any unusual human behavior can disturb pets because they are “domesticated to attend to us.”

“We might be the problem,” she said, with a laugh.

How animals will react to solar eclipses can only give hints of animal behavior because the relatively few studies of the topic are often conflicting. One study in 1560 cited that “birds fell to the ground.” Other studies said birds went to roost, or fell silent, or continued to sing and coo — or flew straight into houses. Dogs either barked or whimpered, or did not bark or whimper.

A study of the 1932 eclipse, which was thought to be the first comprehensive research conducted on the subject and included observations from the public, explained that it received “a good deal of conflicting testimony” from people who had observed mammals. It concluded that several animals showed the strongest responses: squirrels ran into the woods and cattle and sheep headed for their barns.

Zoo animals, the study said, showed little or no response, and Dr. Shumaker does not expect the animals at the Indianapolis Zoo to show much of an unusual response, because “they take a lot of things in stride.”

“ We’re thinking that this will be a very casual and easy experience for the animals,” he said, adding that some might experience “a little bit of confusion” about what’s going on. “I certainly don’t anticipate that it will be alarming to them.”

Dr. Shumaker is as curious as anyone to see what the animals will do, and in 2017, Adam Hartstone-Rose, now a professor of biological sciences at North Carolina State University, tried to get some answers. Before that total solar eclipse crossed the United States, he launched a formal study of animals at the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia., S.C., and it resulted in what was likely the broadest study of animals during an eclipse since the 1932 effort.

Just as he is doing next week at the Fort Worth Zoo, Dr. Hartstone-Rose assembled a group of researchers, animal keepers and volunteers to observe animals before, during and after totality.

About three-fourths of the 17 species his team studied, including mammals, birds and reptiles, displayed a behavior response to the eclipse, with many of those animals thinking that the change in light meant it was time to prepare for bed. A smaller group of animals, including the giraffes, baboons, gorillas, flamingoes, lorikeets (a type of parrot) and one Komodo dragon showed behavior that was out of the ordinary and could be interpreted as anxiety.

According to the study, the baboons ran around their enclosure as totality approached, and one paced and walked in circles for about 25 minutes. One male gorilla charged the glass. The flamingoes huddled together, encircling their young, vocalizing loudly and looking toward the sky, which is “the kind of thing they might do if they think there’s an aerial predator around,” Dr. Hartstone-Rose said.

The lorikeets grew active and loud just before totality, and during totality flew together to one side of their exhibit. One Komodo dragon rushed to his den but the door was closed, and he “ran erratically” around until daylight returned.

He noted that it was “entirely possible” that the behaviors were triggered not by the eclipse, but by the large crowds and the noises at the zoo, which included fireworks exploding in the distance.

Yet the giraffes’ behavior that day in South Carolina was similar to the animals’ behavior elsewhere during eclipses, including at the Nashville Zoo in 2017, and also in the wild in Zambia during a 2001 eclipse.

“Most of us expected that the giraffes would just kind of be like, ‘Oh, it’s dark, so it’s bedtime,’” said Alyson Proveaux, curator of mammals at the Riverbanks Zoo and one of the observers of the giraffes in 2017. But their reaction was much more dramatic.

Normally, the Riverbanks Zoo giraffes chomp on lettuce, chew their cud, mill about or play with their enrichment toys. But when the sky went dark, according to the study, they stopped eating and huddled in the back of their enclosure, with one pacing and swaying. As the daylight slowly returned, several broke into a gallop for several minutes, which was extremely out of character. Giraffes also galloped during the eclipse at the Nashville Zoo and in Zambia.

“They are creatures of habit,” Ms. Proveaux said. “So we just rocked their world.”

In another part of the Riverbanks Zoo, the Galápagos turtles did something even stranger just before totality that the study described as a “novel response.” Instead of moving slowly around their area, as they usually do, they grouped together and two started mating. During totality, all four tortoises moved faster than usual.

Dr. Hartstone-Rose is curious to see if these responses will be repeated by animals at the Fort Worth Zoo, where he will likely be monitoring the bonobos, which are similar to chimpanzees. He said bonobos often exhibit sexual behavior to alleviate anxiety and that it will be fascinating to see their response to the unexpected darkness.

He also is asking the public to formally observe the animals around them during the eclipse and submit those findings to him so he can include them in his study. Those animals include pets, livestock, as well as wild animals, who also are known to alter their behavior during eclipses.

Scientists have used different types of technology to record wild animal responses to an eclipse. For the 2017 solar eclipse, scientists used radar data from weather stations across the country to study how flying animals responded when day turned into night.

As the sky darkened, the amount of biological activity in the atmosphere fell, they found, suggesting that insects were landing and birds were beginning to roost. In some places, there were also brief pulses of activity during totality, when some nocturnal creatures — which may have included bats, some insects and birds that migrate at night — came to life.

Still, the brief bout of darkness did not seem significant enough to completely convince animals that night had descended. “It’s kind of a muted response,” said Andrew Farnsworth, a visiting scientist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology who was an author of the study.

Some animals, including many butterflies, are especially sensitive to temperature. During the 2017 eclipse , Robert Michael Pyle, an ecologist and butterfly expert in southwestern Washington, spent hours carefully logging the conditions in his yard and as the temperature dropped, the woodland skippers, a common butterfly species, disappeared. “Two degrees put the butterflies back to bed,” he said.

Although they have been the focus of less research, plants, which require the sun for sustenance, are also affected by eclipses . “As the sun goes away, photosynthesis goes down,” said Daniel Beverly, an ecophysiologist at Indiana University who documented that slowdown in big sagebrush during the 2017 eclipse. The findings highlight the importance of circadian rhythms beyond the animal kingdom, he said.

And careful observations of what organisms do during an eclipse can yield new insights that extend beyond the event itself. The eclipse “is a sort of natural experiment, manipulating light and temperature on a grand scale,” said Candace Galen, an evolutionary ecologist at the University of Missouri who found that bees went quiet during the period of totality in 2017.

In the end, Dr. Hartstone-Rose said, “who knows what’s going through the head of a giraffe.” But his aim is to collect as much data as he can, to try to find out.

He does have one definite answer to a question posed to him again and again: During an eclipse, should you put protective glasses on your dog?

“As a fashion statement, I’m all for it, so go for it,” he said. “But as a safety precaution, no, that’s not something they need to do. Animals do not look at the sun.”

Emily Anthes is a science reporter, writing primarily about animal health and science. She also covered the coronavirus pandemic. More about Emily Anthes

Your last-minute guide to enjoying the solar eclipse — in L.A. and beyond

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

It’s finally here: the great eclipse of 2024.

The last total solar eclipse that crossed the contiguous United States was in August 2017, according to NASA. Another one won’t cross again for 20 years .

Throngs of people are traveling to the Midwest and east, where the eclipse action will be the most dramatic.

And although California won’t experience the phenomenon of totality, there is still plenty to see.

Here is a quick guide:

What is a total solar eclipse?

• Total eclipse : Midday darkness will be cast on a sliver of states, including Texas, Illinois, Ohio and New York — but there won’t be any “totality” in Los Angeles.
• Partial eclipse : In Los Angeles, about half of the sun will be visibly covered by the moon, and in San Francisco, one-third will be. The northernmost parts of the state will see the smallest amount of the eclipse, while cities to the south will experience more.

How to watch the solar eclipse from California — and avoid heartbreak if chasing ‘totality’

Though there won’t be totality in California, the state will still enjoy an impressive partial eclipse in the late morning — if the skies remain cloud-free.

April 3, 2024

Solar eclipse thrills crowds in California as it darkens swath of countryside

Millions of people across the U.S. will look up at the sky to witness a rare total solar eclipse. California won’t experience totality, but there’s still plenty to see.

April 8, 2024

World & Nation

A total eclipse is more than a spectacle. So I’m on the road to see it — again

Why would someone journey across the country to watch a total eclipse? Because it’s more than just an astronomical rarity: It may be the best show in the universe.

April 6, 2024

What time is the eclipse?

In Los Angeles, a substantial blocking of the sun will be obvious by 10:39 a.m. and will peak at 11:12 a.m. By 12:22 p.m., it will be over, according to the Griffith Observatory.

There will be a lot of events locally.

6 excellent L.A. spots to watch the awe-inspiring solar eclipse

Whether you’re a science nerd hoping to pick the brains of professional astronomers or a parent looking to teach their child about space, these six events will elevate your eclipse-viewing experience.

April 5, 2024

How to see the eclipse

• Looking up: The first rule of a solar eclipse is, don’t look at the sun without specialized eclipse glasses or a solar viewer. It’s not safe. If you look up at the eclipse without protection, it will cause severe eye injury, according to NASA .
• Using the right glasses: Here are some safety and glasses tips. When you do get a pair of glasses or viewers, make sure they’re in good condition. If the viewers are torn, scratched or punctured, discard them. If the filters are coming loose from their cardboard or plastic frames, discard them.
• Taking pictures: Even taking photos on your phone can pose risks to your eyes. Casually including the sun in a photo for a quick snapshot isn’t really a safety issue for the camera. But experts have tips.

Preparing for Monday’s solar eclipse: What you need to do to watch safely

Looking for a place to watch the solar eclipse on April 8? Events are happening around Los Angeles County. Here where to catch a glimpse, how to watch safety and where to get free solar eclipse glasses.

April 4, 2024

How to take a photo of the eclipse without damaging your phone

Here are some tips for taking photos of Monday’s upcoming solar eclipse without ruining your smartphone.

And finally ...

Enjoy the day! Rare moments can bring people together. At least some scientists think so.

Of course they can also spark end-times conspiracies (please, ignore those!).

At least it will be clear in Southern California. Elsewhere, cloudy skies risk spoiling the view for eclipse chasers. There are only expected to be a few small clouds in the Los Angeles area near the eastern San Gabriel Mountains, but even hikers on those peaks will still be able to catch the eclipse, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Kristan Lund.

How do animals react during a total solar eclipse? Scientists plan to find out in April

Researchers and citizen scientists will observe how animals’ routines at several zoos are disrupted during the April 8 total solar eclipse.

March 13, 2024

Science & Medicine

These scientists think an ‘awe’-some eclipse could help unite Americans in troubled times

Awe is a serious topic among psychologists, including one at UC Irvine investigating whether awe-inspiring solar eclipses can help unite Americans.

April 7, 2024

Going to miss the solar eclipse? Don’t worry, the next one is only years away

California only gets a partial eclipse. But that’s no reason to miss it. The next one is years away.

More to Read

OK, the eclipse was cool, but those glasses aren’t. Now what?

April 10, 2024

Ramadan is ending this week. How communities decide when to celebrate

April 9, 2024

Many eclipse visitors to northern New England pulled an all-nighter trying to leave

Start your day right

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Rong-Gong Lin II is a Metro reporter based in San Francisco who specializes in covering statewide earthquake safety issues and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bay Area native is a graduate of UC Berkeley and started at the Los Angeles Times in 2004.

Hannah Fry covers breaking news for the Los Angeles Times. She most recently covered Orange County for The Times and has written extensively about criminal trials, housing, politics and government. In 2020, Fry was part of the team that was a Pulitzer finalist for its coverage of a boat fire that killed 34 people off the coast of Santa Barbara. Fry came to The Times from the Daily Pilot, where she covered coastal cities, education and crime. An Orange County native, Fry started her career as an intern at the Orange County Register.

Karen Garcia is a reporter on the Fast Break Desk, the team that has a pulse on breaking news at the Los Angeles Times. She was previously a reporter on the Utility Journalism Team, which focused on service journalism. Her previous stints include reporting for the San Luis Obispo New Times and KCBX Central Coast Public Radio.

Summer Lin is a reporter on the Fast Break Desk, the Los Angeles Times’ breaking news team. Before coming to The Times, she covered breaking news for the Mercury News and national politics and California courts for McClatchy’s publications, including the Sacramento Bee. An East Coast native, Lin moved to California after graduating from Boston College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. In her free time, she enjoys hikes, skiing and a good Brooklyn bagel.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Galaxy’s Joseph Paintsil called racial slur on social media after El Tráfico match with LAFC

Summer heat won’t last: Another cold, wet storm set to hit SoCal this weekend

Two women walking near the Venice canals were clubbed from behind, spurring LAPD patrols

A truck and a large chain: Thieves make off with Pasadena’s bronze light poles