There are more than 300 zoos in and around Canada, out of which at least 40% are privately owned. You might be astonished to know that only 15% of these zoos are handled by local authorities. If this is the case, we can be sure that there is definitely a good market out there for privately operating and owning a zoo.
Owning a zoo can be like a dream come true for most animal lovers. You should know that there are countless responsibilities on a person’s head when they are trying to handle a zoo privately. For example, animal care is no easy task. You have to see all the different needs each animal has in order to cater to them properly. There are a ton of licenses and permits that you need in order to run a zoo. You also need medical care, housing, and food for all of your animals and a huge capital investment to run such a huge thing.
According to certain studies, zoo startups cost around $10,000 to even $60,000. Your main concern should be about how you can ensure the safety and health of your animals. You might just get overwhelmed with this huge process, which is why we have curated a list of essential steps one must take to ensure they set up a successful zoo.
Plan your business
The first and most vital step in order to set up any business is to finalize your business plan. A business plan will include many things. It includes your aim for your business, how you plan to break even, what all costs you are expecting in your business, what kind of company you will form, the amount of money you will need from investors, and how it will profit them.
Business plans are meant to be quite detailed, having every single piece of information that you would need in order to run your zoo. Keep in mind the cost involved in opening a zoo, you have to spend money on land, on animals, their care, your staff, licenses, and exhibits. Landscaping a huge area will also take a considerable amount of money. You also have to keep in mind your ongoing expenses, for license renewals, veterinary care, and ground maintenance.
Look at your target market and build your zoo according to that. Most zoos have families as their target audience, so it is important to bring in fun activities for kids. You can charge anywhere around $40-$60 as an entrance. If you have any special shows that are going on, you can charge for those as well. You can also add things such as water slides to your business plans as attractions for your patrons.
Form your legal entity
The next step in opening a zoo will be to establish a legal business entity. This is quite an important step since these can help protect you from being held personally liable if your zoo is getting sued. There are a few common business structures such as sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), partnership, and corporation.
An LLC helps in protecting you from personal liability and is quite easy to set up. A sole proprietorship is for only one individual who owns and operates a business. This is perfect for people who want to work alone, but this does not protect you from personal liability.
A general partnership is taken by a variety of individuals who control one business. With this, your profits are only taxed once and it is easy to establish. The kind of legal entity you form decides what kind of taxes you have to pay and how you can operate your business, so be sure to choose wisely.
Obtain your permits
There are certain permits and licenses that you will need in order to run a zoo. Without these, you can face huge fines and might have to shut your business down. You will need to abide by state and federal regulations regarding the ownership of exotic animals. There are also certain permits and licenses available for operating a zoo business, depending on the state.
You will also need a certificate of occupancy in order to operate a business at a physical location. This will confirm that all of your zoning laws, government regulations, and building codes have been met.
Set up good landscaping and exhibits
When you are constructing your zoo, it is vital that you leave out space for the various attractions you will put up at your zoo. You will need to set up certain enclosures for your animals and will also need certain exhibits to help you step it up and take your business to the next level. These are great marketing strategies in order to enhance your business. You can get things put in your zoos such as beautiful landscapes, hand sculpted render rockwork, and even waterfalls. Your main aim is to make something so beautiful that people are given more incentive to visit your zoo.
Create a website for your zoo
In these times, each and every business needs a good and strong online presence. More than 67% of people search online for something that they need or want to do. This is why digital marketing is so important these days. Every legitimate business has a website, and so should you. This website should include your goals and aims, your contact details, various activities you offer, and what is so special about your business. Do not worry if you have never made a website before, they are relatively easy to make even without the help of a graphic designer. You can make an extremely simple website to get your name out there and then keep building it as you keep growing. Facebook and other social media can not be thought of as a replacement for a website.
It is important to follow all legal considerations while running a zoo. There are a lot of hardships but also a lot of rewards if you are smart enough.