If you want to run a petting zoo in New York City, you need a permit from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Office of Veterinary Public Health Services (VPHS).

• You can't run a petting zoo for more than 10 days in a row. Non-profit educational institutions, such as zoos, museums or schools, are exempt from this operating restriction.
• The petting zoo permit is temporary.
• Zoos and aquariums run by the Department of Parks, the Wildlife Conservation Society or the Staten Island Zoological Society have different rules.

Workers from City agencies, including the DOHMH, the ASPCA, the Department of Sanitation and the New York City Police Department, can inspect petting zoos at any time. If a petting zoo breaks any rules, it can be:

• Closed
• Given a Notice of Violation
• Have its animals taken away

If you don't tell the DOHMH about changes in your exhibition schedule, your permit will be invalid. You must follow all federal and state rules about bringing animals into the U.S. and New York State.

• Prohibited animals: No wild or dangerous animals are allowed in petting zoos. This includes:

  • Exotic species
  • Wild animals that have been tamed
  • Hybrid offspring of domestic animals
  • Wild dogs and cats
  • Primates
  • Bears
  • Wolves
  • Ferrets
  • Bulls
  • Stallions
  • Male llamas
  • Domestic animals that have hurt others
    
    The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) may take away these animals.

• Sick or injured animals: Sick, diseased, hurt or distressed animals cannot be in petting zoos. If an animal gets sick or hurt at the petting zoo, the operator must see veterinary care right away. You need written proof of this care. Arrange for local, on-call emergency veterinary care before the petting zoo date.

• Rental horses: All ponies, horses and other equines used for rides must be licensed with the Veterinary Public Health Services (VPHS). Learn more about licenses for working horses.

• Coggins test: Each horse or similar animal (zebras, donkeys, mules) must have a negative Coggins test done within the past year.

• Health certificate: Before operating a petting zoo in New York City, each animal must have a health certificate from a licensed vet. This certificate must be issued within 30 days of the animal's arrival in NYC. It should list the type, name of vaccines and tests given (like rabies). Include the vet's office address (not a PO Box) and phone number.

• Intrastate movement: For animals from New York State, health certificates are needed for moving animals into NYC. No State approval is required.

• Liability insurance: Provide proof of valid liability insurance coverage.

• Permit application: For petting zoos in public places, submit a street activity permit application with the Mayor's Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management (CECM). Include proof of this application with your petting zoo permit application.

• Rabies vaccination: Provide proof of current rabies vaccination for all animals that have an approved rabies vaccine. This must be done at least 14 days before arrival in NYC. For animals without a required vaccine, vaccinations are recommended.

• Out-of-state animals: For animals coming from outside New York State, get approval of health certificates from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Contact them at 518-457-3502 or fax to 518-485-7773.

• New York State requirements: See New York State requirements for:

  • Horses and other Equidae: equine infectious anemia within the past year
  • 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 the New York State Department of Conservation (ENCON) at 518-402-8985 for more information.

• No fee: There is no fee for this type of permit.

• Assistance: For help with the requirements, call the DOHMH Office of Veterinary Public Health Services at 646-632-6604.

• Wash the bite with soap and water.
• Advise the person to see a doctor right away.
• Give the person bitten the name, address and phone number of where the animal will be kept for observation after the bite.
• Report the bite to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Animal Bite Unit. Call 646-632-6074 from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For nights, weekends and holidays, call the Poison Control Center at 212-764-7667.
• Watch the biting animal for signs of illness during the period determined by DOHMH. If the animal gets sick, contact DOHMH right away.
• Work with DOHMH on rabies control activities.

Hand-washing stations

• Provide hand-washing stations with soap, running water and disposable towels.
• Put up signs telling visitors to wash their hands after touching the animals.

Animal supervision

• Keep animals under the control and supervision of handlers at all times.

Safety measures

• Use fences or barriers to prevent animals from escaping or hurting people.
• Make sure the loading area is securely fenced when moving animals.

Animal waste

• Prevent animal waste from becoming a public health problem.

Animal housing

• House each animal in a cage that is the right size and has good ventilation.

Shelter and water

• Provide proper shelter and fresh water for all animals.

Animal food

• Give animals the right food at the right times.
• Follow all City, State and federal animal laws.

Animal safety

• Do not use animals for stunts or activities that could harm them or people.

No eating, drinking or other hand-mouth activities

• Do not allow eating, drinking, smoking, or carrying toys and pacifiers in areas where animals are present.

Responsibility and liability

• Petting zoo operators are responsible for any injury, illness, harm or property damage caused directly or indirectly by the animals.
• Operators must agree to hold the City harmless for any incidents.

Conditions for using animals

• Follow specific conditions for using animals in a petting zoo.
• Not meeting these conditions can invalidate the permission to exhibit animals.
• View the relevant Rules of New York City, Title 24: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Title IV: Animals, Sect 161.01.

Note: Applying for a DOHMH permit does not cover all regulatory requirements of other City, State and federal agencies. Not following all relevant regulations may result in the permit being revoked.

• Complete the application form: Fill out the Animal Exhibit Permit Application form. Include information about each animal.

• Describe the event: Provide the date, time and complete address of the petting zoo.

• List of animals: Submit a list of all animals to be exhibited along with their veterinary health certificates. These certificates must be issued within 30 days of arrival in NYC.

• Safety measures: Describe planned safety measures to protect the public.

• Sanitary control: Detail methods for sanitary control and waste removal.

• Gather documentation: Collect all required documents. This may depend on the type of animals in the zoo.

• Submit application: Submit the application and all required documents at least five business days before the animal's arrival. Make sure all paperwork is up-to-date.

• Mail or fax paperwork: Send all completed paperwork, such as the Animal Exhibit Permit Application, to the DOHMH Office of Veterinary Public Health Services.
  
  Office of Veterinary Public Health Services
  125 Worth Street, Box 66
  New York, NY 10013
  Fax: 646-364-1801

• Review process: Requests will not be considered until all paperwork is submitted and all conditions are met.

• Permit issuance: The Office of Veterinary Pest Services will inform you if the petting zoo permit will be issued.