Petting Zoos

No wild, ferocious, fierce, or dangerous animals are permitted in petting zoos. Prohibited animals include, but are not limited to: (i) exotic species, (ii) behavior modified wild animals, (iii) hybrid offspring of domestic animals, (iv) wild dogs and cats, (v) primates, (vi) bears, (vii) wolves, (viii) ferrets, (ix) bulls, (x) stallions, (xi) male llamas, (xii) individual domestic animals having a history of unruly behavior or causing harm. The Department may confiscate prohibited animals.

Sick, diseased, injured, or distressed animals may not be used in petting zoos, or held at the site of a petting zoo. In the event that an animal becomes sick or injured while in a petting zoo, the operator must seek immediate veterinary care for the animal. Written proof of veterinary care is required. Exhibitors must arrange for local, on-call veterinary emergency care in advance of the petting zoo date.

All ponies, horses and other equines used in pony rides, horse rides, carriage rides, hayrides, or other work for profit, are considered rental horses and must be licensed with VPHS. LEARN MORE

Each horse or other Equidae (e.g., zebras, donkeys, mules) must have a current copy of a negative Coggins test performed within the past twelve months.

Prior to receiving permission to operate a petting zoo in New York City, each animal must have a completely and appropriately filled-out health certificate from an accredited, licensed veterinarian issued within 30 days of the animal's date of arrival in New York City (i.e. list type, name of vaccines [serial number, if applicable] and tests administered, e.g. rabies, brucellosis, tuberculosis, Coggins, etc.). The veterinarian's physical office address (not a PO Box) and telephone number must be included.

For those animals from New York State: Health certificates are required for intrastate movement of animals into NYC (no state approval is required).

Provide proof of valid liability insurance coverage.

For petting zoos taking place in public places, the City of New York requires zoo operators to submit a permit application with the Mayor's Office of City-wide Event Coordination and Management (CECM). Proof that a CECM permit application has been submitted must be included with the application for a Petting Zoo permit. LEARN MORE

Written proof of current vaccination against rabies, at least 14 days prior to arrival in NYC for all animals for which there is an approved and licensed rabies vaccine ( i.e., all horses, cattle, sheep, etc. that are three months of age or older ). For those mammals where an approved vaccine is not required for licensing, vaccinations are recommended.

For those animals coming to New York City from outside New York State: The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Veterinary Public Health Services requires Exhibitors to receive New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets approval of health certificates. For review and approval of health certificates, please contact the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets at (518) 457-3502 or fax to (518) 485-7773 or see the link to New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, above.

See New York State requirements concerning:

• Horses and other Equidae: equine infectious anemia within the past 12 months.
• Cattle, Antelope, Bison: brucellosis, anaplasmosis, bluetongue, vesicular stomatitis, and tuberculosis.
• Swine: brucellosis and pseudorabies.
• Sheep, Aoudad: bluetongue.
• Goats, Llamas, Alpacas, Camels: brucellosis and tuberculosis.
• Deer and Elk: brucellosis, tuberculosis, bluetongue, and anaplasmosis.
• Bats, Large Cats, Owls, Skunks, Sugar Gliders, Flying Squirrels, and Wolves: require New York State Special Licenses.
• Contact New York State Department of Conservation ("ENCON") at (518) 402-8985 for additional information.

There is no fee for this type of permit.

For assistance with the requirements for applying for this permit, call the DOHMH Office of Veterinary Public Health Services at (646) 632-6604.

When a person is bitten by an animal, the following steps must be followed:

• Wash the bite wound thoroughly with soap and water.
• Advise the person bitten to seek immediate medical attention.
• Provide the person bitten with the name, address, and telephone number where the biting animal will be kept for an observation period determined by the Department relative to the species involved.
• Report the bite immediately to the DOHMH Animal Bite Unit, Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM, at (646) 632-6074. Nights, weekends, and holidays, call the Poison Control Center at (212) 764-7667.
• Observe the biting animal for any signs of illness during the period determined by DOHMH. If illness develops, contact our office immediately at address below.
• Cooperate with DOHMH regarding rabies control activities.

Operators must provide hand-washing stations with soap, running water, and disposable towels. Signs instructing visitors to wash hands after touching the animals must be posted.

Animal(s) must be under the direct control and supervision of handler(s) at all times.

There must be adequate protective devices present to prevent animal(s) from escaping or injuring the public. A sturdy fence or other functional barriers to prevent escape of animals must surround all petting zoo sites and access by unauthorized persons must surround all petting zoo sites. While loading and unloading animals from motor vehicles, the loading area must be fully and securely fenced.

There must be specific provisions to prevent animal waste from becoming a public health nuisance.

Each animal must be housed in a cage of adequate size appropriate for that species, with proper ventilation so as to cause no obvious discomfort.

Petting zoo operators must provide adequate shelter appropriate for each species and fresh water for all animals.

Proper animal food must be available at appropriate intervals. Operators must be in compliance with all City, State, and Federal animal laws at all times.

Animals in petting zoos may not be used for "stunts" or other activities, which may endanger or lead to injury, illness, or psychological distress of animals or people.

Hand-mouth activities such as eating, drinking, smoking, and carrying toys and pacifiers should not be permitted in areas of animal contact.

Petting zoo operators assume all responsibility and liability for injury, illness, harm, or property damage caused directly or indirectly by the animals. The petting zoo operator agrees to hold the City harmless for any incidents allegedly resulting from the granting of this permit.

There are explicit conditions under which animals may be used in a petting zoo. Failure to meet these conditions can invalidate the permission to exhibit. View the relevant Rules of New York City, Title 24: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Title IV: Animals, Sect 161.01.

Applying for a DOHMH permit does not satisfy regulatory requirements of other City, State and Federal agencies. Failure to comply with all relevant regulations, including those under jurisdiction of other Agencies, may result in revocation of permit.

Complete an Animal Exhibit Permit Application form. Information about each animal to be exhibited must be submitted.

Animal Exhibition Permit Application

Describe the date, time, and complete address of the petting zoo.

A complete list of all animals to be exhibited along with veterinary health certificates for each animal, issued within 30 days of arrival into New York City.

Provide a detailed description of planned safety measures to protect the public.

Detail proposed methods for sanitary control and waste removal.

Gather all the documentation that must be submitted along with the application. This information may depend on the type of animals being exhibited in the zoo.

Applications and all required documentation must be submitted no less than five business days prior to the animal's arrival and all paperwork must be up-to-date.

Complete all required paperwork and mail or fax the completed paperwork to the DOHMH Office of Veterinary Public Health Services.

Animal Exhibition Permit Application

contact-info

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DoHMH)

Office of Veterinary Public Health Services

125 Worth Street, Box 66

New York

NY

10013

(646) 364-1801

Requests will not be considered until all paperwork (with required state approvals, as necessary) is submitted and all conditions for exhibiting animals in a petting zoo have been met.

The Office of Veterinary Pest Services will inform applicants if the petting zoo permit will be issued.