What do i need to do to open a petting farm open to the public?

Question

Ive got a great little red barn, it's on a nice big piece of land - ideal for a petting farm! Getting the animals is the easy part, ive probably allready got 1/2 of what i need! What else do i need? how much $$$, what type insurance/other legalities are there to consider? Share ANY helpful info, ideas, etc. /w me PLEASE! ~Thank u :)

Answer 1

contact ur local council and ask them......they should be able to tell u.

Answer 2

Step 1 -- check with your city/county/state's regarding regulartory issues.

Step 2 -- talk to a lawyer and draft some kind of liability waivers for "usual" problems with the animals (they occassionally ram people, bite, usual animal stuff which you shouldn't be liable for, so get people to sign waivers.

Step 3 -- yes, you would still need business liabililty insurance even with waivers for other unexpected problems such as slip and falls. Check with State Farm

Step 4 -- Keep it sanitary. Make sure your animals are checked regularly for disease. Best to have a regular vet to check on the animals; frequency depends on number and type of animals you have and how free do you let them roam.

Other basics
1. Few different areas to quarrantine animals becuase of illness, aggressiveness or places to provide rest.
2. Places for picnic for families. Good to have shades or structures.
3. Outdoor fountain for everyone to wash their hands after petting the animals.
4. Consider food / snack shop. This is where you will make the real money.

Now you get down to the business side of things, like marketing/advertising, studying the competition in the area, how to keep books, how to provide supplies. The amount of money you have and/or need depends on the scale of your operation. Make sure you can run your business for months before turning reasonable profit.

And best to determine what constitutes reasonable profit for your efforts.

Last thing: on competitions, best to work with them than against them by selling package deals where a visit at one site entitles 50% at the other within 30 days.

Have fun, and good luck!

Answer 3

First off you should contact your local small business administration office: http://www.sba.gov/

You can also contact SCORE: http://www.score.org/

These people are here to help small businesses. They will be able to help you, give you ideas and things you probably didn't think about.

Good Luck on your new business adventure!!

Answer 4

oh my god girl you have to get a one of those new minature unicorns from Germany. They are so hot right now!