Animal Exhibits
Many people visiting animal exhibits are unaware of the potential health risks associated with animal contact.
While animal exhibits are popular attractions, they can also be a source of infection and illness for visitors. Zoonotic infections (those that can be passed from animals to humans) present a small but real risk.
Our role?
Public Health provides information to operators of petting zoos to reduce the risk of transmission of disease from animals to humans.
Animals have been linked with many human disease outbreaks in Canada, as well as in other countries. While many outbreaks of disease caused by animals (zoonotic illnesses) have been caused by Salmonella and E. coli, many other diseases, such as rabies and ringworm, can also cause human illness.
Animal exhibit operator roles and responsibilities
As an animal exhibit operator, you provide an entertaining place for children and adults to interact with animals. As you know, however, it is important to take certain precautions to ensure public safety. All animals, including all domestic, wild and exotic animals can possibly have zoonotic infections that could be passed to humans and cause illness.
The following precautions are necessary to ensure the safety of everyone—your guests, staff, animals, and yourself.
Animal exhibit operators must:
- Notify Public Health of their intent to operate a petting zoo in the area.
- Post signs (from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care) that are remind patrons to wash hands at exits from animal areas and in non-animal areas where food is served and consumed
- Ensure hand hygiene facilities (handwashing facilities or alcohol-based hand-sanitizers) are located at every exit from animal areas, are accessible to children and persons with disabilities, and are routinely cleaned and restocked.
- Use barriers, gates, and signs to discourage uncontrolled access to animals and animal areas and establish well-defined and clearly labelled transition areas between animal areas, and other areas.
- Remove manure and soiled bedding from animal enclosures promptly.
- Clean, rinse, and disinfect animal areas at least once daily, where feasible.
- Prohibit/Do not allow food, beverages, smoking, toys, pacifiers, spill-proof cups (“sippy-cups”), and baby bottles in animal areas.
- Ensure all mammals for which vaccine use has been approved by a veterinarian, are vaccinated against rabies if the animal is accessible to the public.
- Be informed and follow the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care’s recommendations to prevent disease and injury associated with petting zoos in Ontario
How do I apply for a permit?
Special Event Animal Exhibit Permit
Special events for animal exhibits can include fairs, expos, and carnivals. It is the responsibility of the animal exhibit operator to ensure that they comply with the recommendations of Public Health Sudbury & Districts and submit a completed Special Event Animal Exhibit Permit at least 20 days prior to the event.
Animal Exhibit Applicants must:
- Complete the Special Event Animal Exhibit Permit at least 20 days prior to date and notify Public Health of the date(s) and location in which they propose to host their event to the public.
- Notify Public Health of any significant changes to the original application.
- List all the animals they intend to have at the event and if they will be handled or not.
- Ensure the infection prevention and control requirements listed in the application packages are followed.
Once the completed application is received, a public health inspector will review the package with the animal exhibit vendor. If approved, a permit will be issued within 10 days from the date the application was approved.
For more information, contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
This item was last modified on January 30, 2024