Business plan for a petting zoo in a shopping center: investment, payback and profit - Entertainment. How to open a petting zoo Setting up a petting zoo

As practice shows, successful petting zoo projects begin with a hobby - caring for animals, collecting their rare species or business related to fauna.

A great way to turn a hobby into a profitable business is to start a petting zoo as a business.

This is a place where animals that are not dangerous to humans are kept. During his visit, pets can be contacted: stroked and fed. Most often, such establishments contain farm animals: sheep, rabbits, piglets, chickens, ducklings (in the case of organizing an outdoor business). And guinea pigs, hamsters, turtles, raccoons, chinchillas, foxes, parrots, reptiles and even some types of insects live in establishments organized indoors.

The main visitors are, of course, children or organized groups of children, naturally accompanied by adults. In order to understand how to organize a business, let's look at the main preferences target audience Why do people go to the petting zoo?

Thus, according to a survey conducted by the authors of the online journal Naukovedenie, 57% of respondents visit it for recreation purposes, 22% for educational purposes, 18% important direct contact with animals: to pet, feed, 3% visit such establishments with research purpose. According to age, these trends are shown in Chart 1

Graph 1 Goals of visiting a petting zoo depending on age Source: online journal "Naukovedenie"

The older the visitors, the more they prefer rest and direct contact with animals, and for educational purposes, including for the sake of contact with the inhabitants, younger respondents visit petting zoos.

AT open options responses were present such as: love for animals, communication with nature, the opportunity to take an unusual photo, play with animals and feed them.

By the way, a scientifically proven fact - tactile communication with animals, including in a petting zoo, carries, in addition to aesthetic, also a therapeutic psychotherapeutic function. This technique is called animal therapy.

Knowing the needs of your target audience, it is easy to set up a business in such a way as to satisfy them. In our case, since the main visitors are children from 7 to 17 years old, and, as can be seen in Graph 1, the cognitive component is important for them, it would be useful to organize mini-lectures about care, habitat and other features of the zoo inhabitants.

And also provide the opportunity to take pictures with pets and equip a small recreation area for accompanying people: comfortable seating, perhaps a mini-cafe where the older generation can relax while the guys communicate with animals.

Important points for organizing a business

If communication and caring for animals causes positive emotions, you want to bring joy to children and you have an idea to open a petting zoo, then you need to know and take into account the following points:

Ideally, this business better themes people whose occupation is related to animals. This is a great option for owners of veterinary clinics, farms, zoo workers. Starting this business from scratch without knowing anything about its specifics will be difficult. We must not forget about the ethical side and humanism in relation to the inhabitants of the zoo.
At present, the activity of zoos in Russia is not regulated by law, it is regulated by the order of the Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia dated 1993. According to the UNESCO classification, zoos, including contact ones, are museums of wildlife, therefore their activities are subordinate to the departments of culture.
Documentation of activities includes, in addition to standard points, such as the choice and execution of an organizational and legal form - the best option for an individual entrepreneur on a simplified taxation system (6%), OKVED 92.53 "Activities of botanical gardens, zoos and nature reserves", the conclusion of a lease agreement, also mandatory inspection all pets by a veterinarian, their vaccination with the subsequent issuance of passports for each inhabitant, as well as obtaining permission to conduct activities from the Veterinary Administration.
AT recent times many opponents of petting zoos have appeared due to the fact that they put profit in the first place, and not its inhabitants. In such a business, priority should be given to not harming animals in the first place, for this it is necessary to hire zoologists who will supervise the interaction of children with pets. After all, children, not because of cruelty, but because of inexperience and ignorance, can easily harm the helpless inhabitants of such institutions.
An important point is the choice of a place for organizing a contact zoo. Will it be a mini zoo in mall with several pets or a large park of animals or birds in the open air.

In a shopping complex

Let's consider this format using the example of a petting zoo with a funny name "Bugagashechka", opened by an animal lover - the owner of veterinary clinics, a cat cafe and a cat museum Anna Kondratieva in one of shopping malls St. Petersburg.

Here, kids and their parents can feed, pet animals, listen to lectures on pet care, and participate in game and educational quests with 100% passability for kids with real insects. For older visitors, quests based on the book by Ray Bradberry are organized.

Theatrical decorators were hired to equip the space, who built special rabbit holes, an anthill, and even a “maternity hospital for butterflies” - a place where they hatch from a cocoon.

Capital investments in the opening of the institution amounted to about 1.5 million rubles. And this is taking into account the fact that Anna did not purchase animals. All the inhabitants were donated by zoologist friends, taken from youth circles, brought to the veterinary clinic for treatment and "forgotten" by the owners. Now 64 species of inhabitants live in "Bugagashechka", among them: guinea pigs, mice, chinchillas, insects, reptiles, rabbits, birds.

The third part of investments in the business fell on the purchase of equipment: spacious terrariums, fabulous houses, cages, aquariums. Current expenses, in addition to the purchase of animal feed, rent of premises, salaries of employees, include veterinary care, vaccination of animals, and disinfection of premises.

It was not so easy to find a place for the zoo because of the specific nature of the business: there must be windows for the animals to receive sunlight, a ventilation system. The presence of an elevator, ramps is crucial, as the institution is visited by parents with strollers, as well as people with disabilities; a toilet with a washbasin is required, because sometimes visitors stay for several hours. Also, a small utility room for storing and preparing animal food and a reception desk for selling tickets and receiving visitors are needed.

The cost of visiting is 300 rubles. for adults and 250 rubles. for children, the cost of one quest is 3000 rubles. On weekends, an average of 4-6 quests are held. This additional service allows you to bring the business into a stable plus, because, as the owner of the establishment admits, a surge in attendance, when you can say that the business is profitable, happens during school holidays, while the rest of the time you have to balance on the verge of zero.

Outdoors

In the Kolomensky district on the basis of a collapsing farming"Maksheevsky" in 2009, the petting zoo "Gorki" was opened. Currently, chickens, ducks, geese, squirrels, nutrias, ostriches, llamas, deer, camels, horses, ponies and many other animals live in a vast open area in conditions as close as possible to their natural habitat.

Coniferous trees are an excellent help as an additive to animal feed and the construction of beds for them. But the owners of the zoo do not destroy the forest, in winter they organize volunteer campaigns to collect Christmas trees left after new year holidays.

The seasonality to which the business is subject leads to a shortage of funds for current expenses, the zoo management found a way out of this situation. In "Gorki" there is a program "Take Custody of an Animal". firm, organization or individual may become philanthropists providing financial assistance to the zoo or take care of one or more animals.

At the same time, it is possible to place your sign near the cage with the animal, and all sponsors are provided with a free subscription to visit the zoo.

The entrance ticket for adults is 250 rubles, for children - 100 rubles. In addition to standard services - observation and communication with animals, services are offered such as: pony, horse, camel riding, riding lessons, for additional fee You can buy food and feed the pets. There is a shop and a riding school on the territory, which brings additional benefits to its visitors and profit to business owners.

Diana Yan, 2016-07-31

Questions and answers on the topic

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Initially, the idea of a mini-zoo grew out of farmers who, in order to increase their income, began to organize enclosures for viewing. They accommodate various domestic animals that are interesting for city dwellers: goats, cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys, quails and others.

Such enclosures are extremely attractive to children. In them, you can simply observe the four-legged and feathered inhabitants, it is even more interesting when viewing is accompanied by an excursion. This extra income has become the main source of income for some farmers.

And thanks to the growing popularity of mini-zoos, they began to be organized in the city.

Contact mini-zoo

Mini-zoos have become even more popular, in which pets can not only be examined and observed their behavior, but also stroked and fed.

As a rule, bird aviaries are inhabited by chickens, geese, ducks, pigeons, turkeys. Such representatives of poultry as quails and ostriches have become not such a rarity. Of the animals, you can almost always see various breeds of piglets, goats, rabbits, which are very popular with children.

If there are budgetary possibilities, the project can be expanded, and part of the enclosures can be devoted to wild representatives of the animal world: foxes, arctic foxes, ferrets, wolves, monkeys, parrots, peacocks, and even spiders, scorpions and Madagascar cockroaches. Indoors, you can place aquariums with fish and terrariums with amphibians, reptiles and insects. Exotic reptiles, such as snakes and iguanas, are always of great interest. They have an interesting appearance are safe and can be fed.

The main visitors are always children. When forming the species composition of the inhabitants, this must be taken into account. Knowing the characteristics of children's character, it is better to settle in the zoo a few pets that have interesting features than many similar species or breeds. Viewing similar animals will simply tire the child and will not bring much interest.

When compiling a list of pets, it is important to take into account the features of their content. For example, feeding predators and large animals is expensive. Some species require specialized nutrition. In addition, predators are dangerous animals, they should not be touched and fed on their own. Such selection does not fit into the idea of a contact zoo.

With a minimal budget, it is better to abandon such animals, focusing on representatives of the zoo world that are no less attractive to visitors, but more economical in keeping.

To have a large influx of visitors, the zoo should be located within the city. Great place - city park. The area occupied will depend on the number of pets and their species composition. For large animals, more spacious cages and aviaries will be needed. Their sizes should be such that the animal feels comfortable, and visitors are sure that the animals here are healthy and happy.

How to attract visitors?

The profit of the mini-zoo will be directly proportional to the number of visitors. To attract them, advertising on local TV channels, radio, printed publications. Centralized excursions can be organized for kindergartens and schools.

As practice shows, successful petting zoo projects begin with a hobby - caring for animals, collecting their rare species or business related to fauna.

A great way to turn a hobby into a profitable business is to start a petting zoo as a business. This is a place where animals that are not dangerous to humans are kept. During his visit, pets can be contacted: stroked and fed. Most often, such establishments contain farm animals: sheep, rabbits, piglets, chickens, ducklings (in the case of organizing an outdoor business). And guinea pigs, hamsters, turtles, raccoons, chinchillas, foxes, parrots, reptiles and even some types of insects live in establishments organized indoors.

Target audience and its preferences

The main visitors are, of course, children or organized groups of children, naturally accompanied by adults. In order to understand how to organize a business, let's look at the main preferences of the target audience - why do people go to a petting zoo?

Thus, according to a survey conducted by the authors of the online journal Naukovedenie, 57% of respondents visit it for recreation purposes, 22% for educational purposes, 18% are important for direct contact with animals: pet, feed, 3% visit such establishments with research purpose. According to age, these trends are shown in Chart 1

The open answer options included such as: love for animals, communication with nature, the opportunity to take an unusual photo, play with animals and feed them.

Important points for organizing a business

Ideally, it is better to engage in such a business for those people whose occupation is associated with animals. This is a great option for owners of veterinary clinics, farms, zoo workers. Starting this business from scratch without knowing anything about its specifics will be difficult. We must not forget about the ethical side and humanism in relation to the inhabitants of the zoo.
At present, the activity of zoos in Russia is not regulated by law, it is regulated by the order of the Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia dated 1993. According to the UNESCO classification, zoos, including contact ones, are museums of wildlife, therefore their activities are subordinate to the departments of culture.
Documentation of activities includes, in addition to standard points, such as the choice and execution of an organizational and legal form - the best option for an individual entrepreneur on a simplified taxation system (6%), OKVED 92.53 "Activities of botanical gardens, zoos and reserves", conclusion of a lease agreement, also mandatory inspection of all pets by a veterinarian, their vaccination, followed by the issuance of passports for each inhabitant, as well as obtaining permission to conduct activities from the Veterinary Administration.
Recently, many opponents of petting zoos have appeared due to the fact that they put profit in the first place, and not its inhabitants. In such a business, priority should be given to not harming animals in the first place, for this it is necessary to hire zoologists who will supervise the interaction of children with pets. After all, children, not because of cruelty, but because of inexperience and ignorance, can easily harm the helpless inhabitants of such institutions.
An important point is the choice of a place for organizing a contact zoo. Will it be a mini zoo in a shopping center with several pets or a large park of animals or birds in the open air.

In a shopping complex

We will consider this format using the example of a petting zoo with a funny name "Bugagashechka", opened by an animal lover - the owner of veterinary clinics, a cat cafe and a cat museum Anna Kondratieva in one of the shopping malls in St. Petersburg.

Theatrical decorators were hired to furnish the space, who built special rabbit holes, an anthill, and even a “maternity hospital for butterflies” - a place where they hatch from a cocoon.

The cost of visiting is 300 rubles. for adults and 250 rubles. for children, the cost of one quest is 3000 rubles. On weekends, an average of 4-6 quests are held. This additional service allows you to bring the business to a stable plus, because, as the owner of the establishment admits, a surge in attendance, when you can say that the business is profitable, happens during school holidays, while the rest of the time you have to balance on the verge of zero.

Outdoors

In 2009, on the basis of the collapsing Maksheevsky farming enterprise, the Gorki petting zoo was opened in the Kolomensky district. Currently, chickens, ducks, geese, squirrels, nutrias, ostriches, llamas, deer, camels, horses, ponies and many other animals live in a vast open area in conditions as close as possible to their natural habitat.

The seasonality to which the business is subject leads to a lack of funds for current expenses, the zoo management has found a way out of this situation. In "Gorki" there is a program "Take Custody of an Animal". A firm, organization, or individual can become a patron, providing financial support to a zoo or taking care of one or more animals. At the same time, it is possible to place your sign near the cage with the animal, and all sponsors are provided with a free subscription to visit the zoo.

The entrance ticket for adults is 250 rubles, for children - 100 rubles. In addition to standard services - observation and communication with animals, services such as pony, horse, camel riding, riding lessons are offered, for an additional fee you can buy food and feed your pets. There is a shop and a riding school on the territory, which brings additional benefits to its visitors and profit to business owners.

A petting zoo is often referred to as a mini-zoo or rural zoo. All names define the features of this type of zoos. Firstly, it is permissible to touch and feed animals, there is no point in recruiting a large number of animals (it is better to focus on non-aggressive, kind birds and animals, reptiles), and farms outside the city were the primary source of such a zoo. Indeed, farmers used to offer such zoos to visitors as an additional form of income.

Further, due to the high level of payback, petting zoos moved out of town. Now this activity is profitable business for their owners. That's just the competitive environment can be filled. If your city already has a petting zoo, but you really want to organize a similar type of activity, you should consider changing the focus of the zoo. For example, you can collect breeds of dwarf animals. These are miniature ponies, rabbits, goats or dogs. All of them are sure to please visitors and attract the attention of customers.

Room selection.

It is best to rent a room in the center. If this is not possible, then any other busy area of \u200b\u200bthe city will do. Need a spacious room. To allow animals to move freely in enclosures. It is best to open such zoological centers near parks or recreation areas. But, there are options for organizing this type of activity even on the floors entertainment center. The only thing you should immediately be aware of possible frequent checks. But this is only suitable for a small number of animals and birds. But if you have dozens of copies, then even one room cannot do with small areas.

The total area of the premises must be at least 200 square meters. The possibility of air conditioning and ventilation of the premises is important here, since any animals have their own smell and not every visitor may like to stay in a closed space with heavy air for a long time.

It is also very important to have space heating in winter period, for a comfortable stay of visitors and animals, the availability of lighting, water supply. It is important for each type of animal to have its own area for the enclosure; it is permissible to keep two animal species similar in behavior. These are goats and sheep, dogs different breeds and so on.

Total for the rent of the premises and utilities about $1.4 thousand is allocated per month.

Equipment for a contact zoo.

For a petting zoo you need to purchase the following equipment:

1. Equipment or a place for keeping an animal (aviaries, cages, aquariums, terrariums, and so on) - $ 2.5 thousand;
2. Lighting system - $800;
3. Exhaust system - $1.4 thousand;
4. Office equipment - $2,000;
5. Household appliances and accessories (for cleaning, for washing animals) - $ 1.8 thousand;

The total cost of the minimum required list of work for a petting zoo is $ 9-11 thousand.

Buying animals.

The entire area of the petting zoo will be conditionally divided into two areas. The first will include animals that can be touched, familiar to us goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, ostriches, ponies and so on. In the other part, it is advantageous to place those animals that you can only look at. These are wild animals, reptiles, which can be a certain danger on contact, but nevertheless will be liked by visitors. It is better to buy in a percentage ratio of 90 to 10. Since the "touching" zoo is obliged to provide the opportunity for close contact with animals. When buying birds and animals, it is very important to examine their general condition, get a result from a veterinarian and give them all vaccinations. In general, buying animals is the most expensive part of this type of business.

Therefore, on this species expenses must be prepared from $ 7 thousand.

Feed and drugs.

It is important to stock up on all the necessary (and most importantly healthy) animal feed. It is best if the diet is compiled individually by a veterinarian. Since a sick animal will look lethargic, inactive and sick, which will scare away visitors. That is why it is so important to invest in good food. These will be specialized feed, cereals, vegetables, fruits, meat, bones, and so on. It is very important that the animals stay fed. Vitamin supplements will also be useful. It is also important to have a minimum number of medicines for animals.

It is worth preparing about $4,000 for this aspect.

Staff.

A small number of personnel, 5-7 people, is required for work. These are two administrators for shift work, an accountant and a veterinarian, three caretakers. Administrators will offer tickets, monitor the number of people in the rooms, perform an explanatory function, make sure that visitors wash their hands, put on shoe covers, take off their outerwear before entering. The accountant will conduct settlement and cash transactions, the veterinarian will control the animals, the caretakers will be in the hall, watching the animals and clients. Also, their duties will include washing animals, sanitation of premises.

With all deductions, workers will receive about $1.5-2 thousand.

The main audience of the zoo is children, so it is they who need to be influenced in the first place. It can be standard set marketing - publications, advertising on television and radio, distribution and posting of leaflets, posters. Will help posting posters in kindergartens and schools, recreation areas, parks, drawing outdoor advertising. Suitable for work in in social networks, popular forums. It will also attract the possibility of discounts for group visits to the zoo. For example, when there is a whole class or group there will be a 10-20% discount. But, most efficient will have word of mouth.

Basic costs.

To create a business for organizing a contact zoo, it is necessary to provide for the following expenses:

1. Premises - 1.4 thousand $;
2. Equipment - 9-11 thousand $;
3. Feed and preparations - $4,000;
4. Purchase of animals - 7 thousand $;
5. Staff - $1.5-2 thousand;
6. Advertising - $700.

In total, it is necessary to invest about $22,000 to create such a business.

Calculation of profit and payback.

The main source of income will be a paid ticket to the zoo, which will be about $ 3 for an adult, $ 2 for a child ticket, children under three years old can be offered a free visit, birthday people can also do it for free. Group visits include a 20% discount. Separately, you can offer to buy animal food to feed them. The amount should be small, about $ 1 per bag. You can also offer drinks, souvenirs, the opportunity to take pictures with animals. On average, about 500 people will pass per day, and the daily profit will fluctuate at $ 1-1.5 thousand. Working in this mode, you can raise about $22,000 a month.

After deducting all monthly investments, at least $ 7 thousand will fall into the hands of the business owner. Payback will take place in one year.

Development options and clients.

Clients are people with children of all ages, as well as people of retirement age. The main options for development are investments such as selling rabbits and other animals, shearing wool from sheep, eggs, and so on. It is also possible to offer individual visits, organize holidays on the territory of the contact zoo.

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An individual entrepreneur decided to organize a mini-nursery (zoo), the entrance to which is planned to be paid by tickets or receipts. What taxation system should an individual entrepreneur be on in order not to install an online cash desk, but to issue tickets or receipts to zoo visitors? Are there any requirements for the mandatory details of the document confirming the payment for entry to the zoo? What actions need to be taken and what documents need to be prepared by an individual entrepreneur so that visitors can be launched with tickets?

All organizations and individual entrepreneurs are required to use cash registers on the territory of the Russian Federation when they make settlements, with the exception of cases established by N 54-FZ ( federal law dated May 22, 2003 N 54-FZ (hereinafter - Law N 54-FZ)).
At the same time, N 54-FZ clearly defines the circle of persons who are allowed not to use CCP. And such an opportunity does not depend on the taxation system, but on the specifics of the activity or the location of the person (Law N 54-FZ, the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated February 20, 2017 N 03-11-11 / 9772).
Certain categories of persons have been granted a delay in the transition to online cash registers. These include:
- individual entrepreneurs using patent system taxation;
- UTII payers;
- organizations and individual entrepreneurs whose duties did not include the use of cash registers until 07/15/2016;
- organizations and individual entrepreneurs performing work, providing services to the population (Law N 290-FZ).
These persons may not use online cash registers until 07/01/2018. Instead, they must issue, at the request of the buyer, a BSO, sales receipt or receipt. After specified date a single procedure for the use of online cash desks will apply to everyone.
From 07/01/2018 the ability to use the form for calculations strict accountability(BSO) will remain only with organizations and individual entrepreneurs providing services (Law N 54-FZ). At the same time, N 54-FZ refers to the provision of any services (Federal Tax Service of 07.03.2014 N ED-4-2 / [email protected]).
In the situation under consideration individual entrepreneur organizes a contact mini-zoo (OKVED 91.04 - zoo services). Thus, when carrying out this type of activity, an individual entrepreneur, in our opinion, has the right to use strict reporting forms both before 07/01/2018 and after this date, regardless of the chosen taxation system during registration.
At the same time, the choice of a system can only be made between the general taxation regime and the simplified tax system, since, by virtue of the law, the chosen type of activity does not imply the possibility of using UTII or PSN.
Regarding the requirements for the mandatory details of the document confirming the payment for the entrance to the zoo, we inform you the following.
At present, the order of the Ministry of Culture of Russia dated December 17, 2008 N 257 (hereinafter - Order N 257) is in force, which approved the forms of strict reporting forms "Ticket", "Subscription". These forms should be used by all theater and entertainment enterprises, concert organizations, philharmonic groups, circus enterprises, zoos, museums, parks (gardens) of culture and recreation, etc.) (clause 1 of Order N 257).
At the same time, until 07/01/2018, a strict reporting form can be made in a printing house or generated using automated systems. In the latter case, in order to simultaneously fill out the document form and issue it, the following requirements must be met (clause 11 of Regulation N 359):
a) the automated system must be protected from unauthorized access, identify, record and save all operations with the document form for at least 5 years;
b) when filling out a document form and issuing a document by an automated system, unique number and a series of his letterhead.
A simple computer cannot be used to generate strict reporting forms (Ministry of Finance of Russia dated 03.02.2009 N 03-01-15 / 1-43, dated 07.11.2008 N, clause 3 of the Federal Tax Service of Russia dated 09/10/2012 N AS-4-2 / [email protected]). It is unlawful to produce a strict reporting document equated to a cash receipt on a computer and a printer without contacting a printing house
Conformity automated system, which forms strict reporting forms, the requirements of Regulation N 359 must be confirmed technical documentation on the formation, filling and printing of forms of strict accountability, equated to cash receipts(Clause 1, Article 4.7 of Law N 54-FZ.

Prepared answer:
Legal Consulting Service Expert GARANT
Member of the Chamber of Tax Advisers Elena Titova

Answer passed quality control

The material was prepared on the basis of an individual written consultation provided as part of the Legal Consulting service.

Good day to you my dear readers! Let's go back in time for a moment and share the most vivid impressions from our childhood. I am sure that most of you (and I, too), first of all, will remember visiting the zoo.

Indeed, children always react very vividly to various animals and are ready to devote a lot of time to communicating with them. Parents are not at all opposed to spending a lot of money to make their child's childhood colorful and memorable.

In this article, I suggest that you consider original business the idea of organizing your own contact mini-zoo. During his visit, children and adults will be able to directly contact with animals (stroke, feed, etc.), which will greatly enhance the effect of contact with nature. Like any business idea with animals, this is an extremely time-consuming business, but useful for the younger generation and, most importantly, profitable.

Opening a contact mini-zoo: the first steps

Let's start with some theoretical background. Let's figure out what types of petting zoos can be organized, depending on your place of residence and financial capabilities. I singled out only two main types: rural and urban. There are a number of fundamental differences between them.

Rural mini-zoo. The name speaks for itself - it is located in countryside and is a fenced area with enclosures placed on it. There are two types of enclosures: closed and open.

In a rural contact mini-zoo, common animals are usually presented - horses, rabbits, ducks, geese, turkeys, sheep, goats. It is logical to assume that such a zoo is in close symbiosis with subsidiary farming, and products derived from animals also bring income.

It is worth opening such a zoo if you have an inclination and desire to engage in farming activities. In addition to standard excursions, this zoo can conduct classes on environmental education schoolchildren, organize feeding of animals together with visitors, as well as horseback riding.

City contact mini-zoo. It is located closer to the city center, as a rule, in or near large shopping centers. Cages, aquariums and terrariums with small animals, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods and, sometimes, insects are located indoors with sufficient space. Keeping large animals in such a zoo is unprofitable and inconvenient, so the owners of the establishment try to fill it with exotic and unpretentious creatures.

These include snakes, lizards, iguanas, frogs, crocodiles, as well as monkeys and some members of the cat family. This type of zoo is quite suitable for a year-round visit, and the spectrum depends on its location. additional services that the entrepreneur can provide.

Thinking of opening a private contact mini-zoo, but don't know where to start? Read the answers below!

First: lease-contractual affairs. We are looking for a room or site (depending on the type of zoo). It’s easier with a plot - suburban agricultural land costs a penny, and you can take several hectares at a ridiculous price. Naturally, renting a plot makes absolutely no sense. If you don't have country house, then subsequently a small part of the site can be transferred to individual housing construction and build a house there. As for the city mini-zoo, it is better to rent a room here. At the same time, it is necessary to carefully check the heating and ventilation systems and make sure that they are in full working order. By area, choose a room with a "margin" for future expansion. Having chosen the right living space for future scaly and furry residents, proceed to the next step.

Second: paperwork. We register our IP, we get everything Required documents, we stock up on valerian and go to the SES, and then to the fire inspection for the relevant permits and regulations. The success and speed of obtaining all papers depends on the mood of the employees of these institutions, the position of the stars in the sky, the exchange rate of the Japanese yen, the political situation in Ethiopia, atmospheric pressure, and a number of other non-obvious factors. When all the papers are framed and a pair of gray hair turns white on the head, you can safely proceed to the direct arrangement of the future zoo.

Third: affairs of life. After compiling a list of animals that you plan to put in a zoo, start buying everything necessary equipment and aviaries. Place them indoors / on the site so that the species that are at war with each other are located as far apart as possible (for example, it is better not to put a fox and chickens in the same cage). Make appropriate repairs in the room and competently decorate the interior. Place a stand at the entrance with a list of services and a work schedule. Having prepared the premises for the entry of new tenants, proceed to their search and purchase.

Fifth: veterinary affairs. It is absolutely necessary to have a veterinary passport for each animal and periodically monitor its health status. A professional veterinarian can be hired as a staff or simply enter into an agreement with a trusted veterinary clinic.

sixth: personnel affairs. It is unlikely that you alone will manage the organization of the zoo, so willy-nilly you will have to hire several workers. Here is an approximate list of useful employees for the zoo: administrator, tour guide, cleaner, veterinarian and animator (optional).

Tip: Thoroughly study all available literature and Internet sources on the care, feeding, maintenance and lifestyle of your animals. Otherwise, some of them may suddenly go to heaven because of some insignificant little thing.

In the next section of the article, I will introduce you to a number of obvious and non-obvious features of this business.

Features and nuances of this business idea

Question: how to make a lot of money in a contact mini-zoo, as a rule, is not the cornerstone of this business. Creativity and a little ingenuity will allow you to receive a stable monthly profit.

a) place an urban petting zoo on busy streets, near large cafes and shopping centers, and a rural one within 20-30 km from the city, preferably in an area near which a busy highway passes;

b) the zoo is designed primarily for children, so it would not be superfluous to organize a playground or game room recreation, as well as the sale of ice cream, cotton candy and soda;

c) with regard to the rural zoo, within its borders, outlet and sell milk, eggs and handmade souvenirs in it;

d) if possible, have young chickens, sheep, goats and piglets in the rural zoo. Believe me: playing with a young piglet will be a hundred times more interesting for a child than stroking a sluggish python or iguana!

e) prohibit photography and video filming. Take photos of those who wish for an affordable price and print photos on the spot. To do this, you need a laptop and a good printer;

f) establish contacts with all possible educational institutions of the city. In the future, you can even create a paid environmental circle based on your zoo;

Investments and income

It is rather difficult to calculate the costs of organizing a petting zoo. The fact is that they will vary in a very wide range due to the characteristics of a particular business project, its scale and location. To open a small contact mini-zoo in an average Russian city, you will need at least 300 thousand rubles. If you decide to fill your menagerie with exotic animals, then the costs will start from 500 thousand rubles and go to infinity. The zoo will pay off in about a year. Here is an approximate list of the main expenses that you will face on initial stage this business:

a) rental of premises and its arrangement for your needs;
b) purchase of various animals;
c) payment for veterinary support services;
d) purchase of cages and aviaries;
e) purchase of feed and specialized equipment;
e) advertising campaign in all available media.

Each month, you will also have to spend money on employee salaries, utility bills, taxes, zoo cleaning and advertising. If you plan not to stand still, but periodically expand the business, then you can also include the purchase of new animals in your monthly expenses.

In terms of income, it largely depends on the additional services that your zoo provides. Paid photo and video shooting, sale of souvenirs and organization of scheduled excursions from educational institutions significantly accelerate the payback of the business and your personal well-being. When planning a business, you should also take into account the fact that in winter the zoo will most likely have to be closed, as some animals will hibernate or become very lethargic. As a rule, the contact zoo season lasts from April to October. The optimal cost of a ticket should not exceed 150 rubles - the main income should still be received from related services.

Instead of a conclusion

It is difficult to imagine a more specific type of entrepreneurship than the animal business. It requires vigilant daily monitoring and is associated with constant unpleasant surprises.

Animals are not soulless machines and it is much easier to harm them than electronic or mechanical equipment. Therefore, before you decide to organize your contact mini-zoo, think carefully about whether the responsibility for so many living creatures that require care and care will not be too burdensome for you.

And, finally, I would like to recall the words from the famous fairy tale by Antoine de Saint-Exupery: we are responsible for those we have tamed. Let this phrase become the motto of your business and then you will certainly succeed. Good luck!

May 9, 2016 Sergey