Petting zoos and other animal attractions
Petting zoos and animal attractions are a great place to interact with animals. However, animals can sometimes carry germs that cause infections in people, such as Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and rabies. All animals can be sources of infections.
Following some simple precautions can reduce the risk of infections and ensure that petting zoos and animal attractions in Peel are a fun and positive experience for everyone.
Planning your petting zoo, open farm or animal event
Plan to host the attraction in an area and manner that does not negatively affect the local water sources, supplies, or environment. Create a site plan indicating the types of water supply to be used (public, private, treated, untreated), general landscape, and layout of the attraction.
Maintain one-way visitor flow with clearly designated entrances and exits to the animal areas to avoid overcrowding.
- Provide sufficient hand-washing stations with potable running water, liquid soap and paper towels in dispensers.
- At least one hand-washing station should be located at the exit of the petting zoo area. The hand-washing stations are to be kept clean and fully stocked.
- Ensure hand hygiene facilities are accessible to children and persons with disabilities.
- Post signs to encourage hand washing.
Ensure that all animals are under the care of a veterinarian who is licensed to practice in Canada or the United States. Proof of veterinary care must be provided to Peel Public Health upon request.
Keep animals healthy by following a preventative vaccination and parasite control program at least 3 months before the event. Rabies vaccination records must be kept up-to-date and readily available if requested by a public health inspector.
Animals that are too young to be vaccinated against rabies must not be allowed contact with any visitors. Ensure animal housing is designed to reduce stress and prevent overcrowding.
Animals that are sick and those that test positive for an infectious disease must not be included in the attraction. Monitor animals daily for signs of illness. If an animal becomes sick or dies during the attraction, it must be removed and isolated from all other animals and humans and must be immediately reported to Peel Public Health.
- Promptly remove manure and soiled animal bedding from animal areas.
- Transport manure or soiled bedding in covered containers, avoiding food service areas.
- Clean all surfaces thoroughly to remove organic matter before disinfection.
- Where possible, clean, rinse and disinfect animal areas (flooring and rails) at least once daily.
- When disinfection is not possible (wooden rails, outdoor exhibits with natural flooring or during freezing weather), remove manure and soiled bedding.
- When cleaning bird cages, use cleaning and feeding methods that minimize air circulation of feathers, dust and droppings.
- Ensure bird cages are not cleaned when the public is present and avoid creating dust when cleaning cages.
- Ensure that staff use appropriate personal protective equipment when cleaning animal areas.
Inform the person who was bitten to:
- Clean and wash the bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and water.
- Visit the first aid booth (St. John’s Ambulance) for first aid assistance.
- Call their family doctor or go to the nearest hospital for treatment if needed.
Reporting animal bites
Report animal bites or scratches to Peel Public Health by phone 905-799-7700, toll-free 1-888-919-7800 or email us.
What to include in the report
The person who was bitten:
- Name
- Parent or guardian, if applicable
- Age
- Address and phone number
- Date of incident
Animal information:
- Type of animal
- Name of owner
- Proof of rabies vaccination certificate
- Animal owner’s address and telephone number
- Details about if the animal was acting strangely, was provoked, injured or sick
- Develop written procedures. For example, procedures for managing injured people, animals escaping from enclosures, and for public interactions with the animals. Train staff in these procedures.
- Ensure public access to first aid. This may include first aid kits conveniently located and well stocked.
- Children younger than 5 years should not have direct contact with baby chicks, ducks, reptiles or ferrets.
- Do not allow the public to drink unpasteurized, raw milk.
- Ensure that adequate barriers and signs are provided to prevent people from having access to animals they should not touch.
If an animal birth occurs
Ensure the public has no contact with animals involved in birthing. The area must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each birth and the by-products properly disposed.
Keep visitors away from
- Wastewater runoff.
- Animal waste and manure storage areas.
- Animal birthing areas and by-products.
- Animal areas being cleaned and disinfected.
- Tools used for cleaning, disinfection and waste removal.