For people who love animals, finding a way to make a living while working with them is the perfect combination. There are many careers and jobs available where you can get paid to work with and take care of animals. For some, the idea of starting a small petting zoo may spark their interest. It can be a great business opportunity for animal lovers. Below are some things to take into consideration when starting a small petting zoo.
Legal Considerations
Before any other task, it is important to be sure to get all of the necessary permits and licenses that are required by your local, state or federal government agencies. The first place you might want to begin is by contacting your local Department of Agriculture, local licensing boards and local zoning boards. It is also a requirement for all local businesses to carry liability insurance policies to protect their business from injury claims. Animals can be very unpredictable. Liability insurance can protect your zoo from lawsuits in the unfortunate event that a visitor gets hurt while on your premises.
Location
For a proper petting zoo, you will need to find a location that has at least ten or more acres for proper planning. If you ever decide to expand, you will be glad you have the space to. The location should also be a reasonable distance from a large city or town in order to generate a sufficient amount of visitors to stay profitable. Petting zoos which are very rural will often not generate enough visitors to stay open.