As you know, in the 90s, most entrepreneurs started their business out of desperation: factories closed, people lost their jobs. “From nothing to eat” Vladimir Gerasichkin started his business ...

At first, the entrepreneur mastered the field of trade, and then moved on to a more interesting and original business - a private zoo. Vladimir Gerasichkin was a military man at that time, and it was this category of citizens that was most affected by the crisis in the nineties - they did not pay salaries for months. To feed his family, Gerasichkin worked as a private driver at night. In 1995, wandering around the city at night, Vladimir thought: why not organize a business selling food for drivers like him. Having borrowed 1000 rubles from friends, Gerasichkin converted an old container that was on his suburban area as a garden house, under a trading kiosk. Having bought the first batch of goods, Vladimir began trading. The case turned out to be profitable and after 2 years, having accumulated a certain amount of money, Gerasichkin opened a small cafe. After another 2 years, the entrepreneur opened a second cafe in his city. Of course, at that time he did not even think about his own zoo.

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Vladimir says that most businessmen carefully study the market before opening a new business. For Gerasichkin, the creation of the zoo was the command of the soul, and not a business project. When a person passes a certain segment of his life path He has new ideas. Vladimir at that time did not seek to develop his business in the field Catering to the national level. He had several cafes in the city and the money that the business brought in was enough for the Gerasichkin family. Vladimir admitted that he does not strive for luxury. According to the entrepreneur, people who want to leave behind are much more valuable to him. good memory to bring people at least a little joy, moral satisfaction. Vladimir wondered what he could leave behind. A cafe is a business that feeds you and your family, while a zoo is a facility that will delight everyone, especially children.

The idea to open my own zoo came unexpectedly. One day, while walking in the park next to his Beach cafe, Vladimir Gerasichkin found an owlet. The businessman took the owlet to a cafe, where a special enclosure was equipped for him. After that, Gerasichkin firmly decided to open in Nizhny Novgorod the country's first private zoo. Of course, he first of all thought about whether he had enough opportunities to support such a project. Vladimir went to the capital, consulted with the head of the Moscow zoo, with the workers of the menagerie, and decided to try it. At first, the businessman decided to bet on birds: their maintenance is easier and cheaper than animals. However, gradually ungulates and even predators began to appear in the menagerie. Today, the private zoo "Limpopo" has over 128 species of animals and birds.

In the first 12 months of the menagerie, Gerasichkin counted every penny. The zoo did not bring any income, existing as a kind of social project. At first, Gerasichkin made the entrance to the menagerie free. Surprisingly, the inhabitants of the city did not appreciate the noble intention of the businessman. People who came to the zoo for free believed that they could do everything here: break the branches of apple trees, feed them to animals, pick flowers. Free visit turned into a mess. It wasn't until the businessman set up a menagerie entrance fee and introduced tickets that people began to treat zoo property the way they should. The zoo has reached a fundamentally different level.

According to Vladimir Gerasichkin, the income received as entry fees does not cover the annual costs of the menagerie. The zoo is a seasonal business. In summer, a lot of money is spent on keeping animals and an aviary. less money, there are many visitors, but in the fall, incomes go into a big minus. Winter for the zoo is a dead time that you just have to endure. It is especially bad when the winter is frosty. There were days when only one person went to work. The staff of the menagerie is large, everyone needs to pay a salary. AT cold year the businessman was glad that he managed to make ends meet and not get into debt.

Realizing that certain steps must be taken to increase the profitability of the institution, Gerasichkin decided to create additional infrastructure in the menagerie. At the moment, the zoo has four cafes (one for children) and a playground with entertainment attractions. In the summer, revenue increased significantly, and in the winter it began to be enough for employees' salaries, electricity, animal feed, and heating of aviaries and buildings.

At home - like in a fortress

Nizhny Novgorod Zoo "Limpopo", according to the idea of ​​Vladimir Gerasichkin, is a contact menagerie: non-predatory animals can be hand-feed and touched. According to the owner, this format is optimal. Vladimir admits that the zoo has become an integral part of his life. He works at the zoo every day. Vladimir is a workaholic, he is not used to being distracted by rest. Gerasichkin has only about two days off a month. Work for Vladimir is better than many entertainments and travels. Gerasichkin still has enough energy for all projects. A businessman calls the results of his work the best motivation. “I will build a new enclosure - and now again I have the strength and desire to start another project,” says Vladimir. - I used to live according to a certain system: go around the zoo every day, watch the animals, ask questions to the staff. If I break the system, I feel uncomfortable, as if I have lost something important. Unlike many other entrepreneurs of his stature, Gerasichkin is not afraid of menial work. According to Vladimir, he is demanding of himself and his subordinates. If he notices a flaw or a miscalculation in the work, he will never pass by and tries to eliminate it himself, if it is in his power. Gerasichkin does not hesitate to bend down and pick up a candy wrapper or a chocolate wrapper in the zoo - after all, this is his house, where everything should be perfectly clean.

“I know that most businessmen will never pick up a shovel or a broom to clean up their territory,” says Vladimir. “For me, it has become self-evident. I work for myself, I clean my house.”

Of course, the entrepreneur has a deputy and employees whom he can fully trust, but Vladimir left many areas of work for himself. For example, he deals with the design, construction and placement of enclosures. Gerasichkin thinks through all the details and components of the future structure. However, there is a business that a businessman never does - buying flowers. But then Vladimir himself breaks the flower beds and comes up with their design. The director does not trust anyone with pruning trees and forming crowns, independently deciding where there are extra trees and shrubs, and where they are not enough. Also, the entrepreneur himself is engaged in the selection of collections of animals. Like any other leader, Gerasichkin is recruiting senior staff, and his deputies are already recruiting ordinary employees in a number of areas. The deputy for construction invites builders, the head of catering - cooks and waiters, the head of security - security guards, and the head of the animal department hires livestock specialists at his own discretion. Vladimir is sure that the whole project rests on the leader. In order for the institution to work like clockwork, you need to work without interruptions, every day. Then a unique business aura will be created that will protect the project from any negative manifestations.

Source: www.business-mag.nn.ru

In this material:

Many people, especially children, love animals, so entrepreneurs are thinking about how to open a zoo. A petting zoo business plan will help in this difficult and interesting business. Some experts consider this business unprofitable, but with the right approach to organizing it, you can get a good income.

Choosing a place to accommodate animals

The main criterion for choosing a place for a zoo is the availability of access roads and parking. The location must be close to stops. public transport, and it is not necessary that the entrance to the zoo go directly to the bus stop. In any case, customers should not walk more than 300 meters. If you do not take this point into account, then you risk losing a significant part of the profit. It is very good if the zoo is located in the city park of culture and recreation. Before opening an organization, do not forget to equip a car park, paid parking can be a way to earn extra money. However, at first it is better to refuse this idea, this may adversely affect the attendance of your institution.

The basis for the success of your business is the variety of animals on display. Some zoo owners do not pay due attention to the stage of selection of animals. Even when opening a small establishment, you need to think about the range of animals. Most zoos show a standard list: horses, lions, deer, camels, foxes and eagles. Some owners don't try to impress their customers.

The main task of doing business properly is the acquisition of animals that can become calling card your zoo. If your establishment has at least a few rare animals, attendance will increase many times over. Everyone wants to look at the rare representatives of the fauna. The purchase of such animals will have to spend a significant amount of money. If you want to attract maximum attention to the institution, you will have to invest a lot of money. If your zoo is designed for residents of your city and nearby villages, you can get by with the purchase of a standard assortment of animals.

In a large city, you can open a so-called rural zoo. City dwellers have little knowledge of farm animals, so pigs, cows, sheep, and rabbits will become exotic to them. Caring for such pets is much easier than, for example, lions and tigers, because they are adapted to life in our climate.

Where to buy animals?

The easiest way to buy animals in another zoo. After a certain period, your animals will begin to bear offspring, the cubs can be exchanged for representatives of other species or sold. When opening a petting zoo, keep in mind that keeping animals is not as easy as it might seem. The main item of expenditure is feeding pets. The business plan of the zoo, first of all, should take into account these costs. Elephants are considered the most expensive in this regard, their maintenance requires at least 100 thousand rubles, walruses are not far behind - their food will cost the owner of the zoo 90 thousand. Small herbivores and birds are considered the most economical.

Many petting zoos provide guardianship of the animal. The visitor addresses the owner and expresses a desire to keep the animal on his own. The owner gives him this opportunity. This does not mean that the person himself will be engaged in cleaning and feeding, he can sponsor these actions. Before opening a zoo, be sure to consider this option. Perhaps you will find people who want to take care of the animal while living in the zoo. Announcements with a similar offer can be placed in the media.

Animals are the main source of income for the petting zoo. To increase profits, in addition to observing their lives, visitors can be offered paid tours, organize circus performances with animals, and sell souvenirs. Allow photography at the zoo: this will increase the flow of customers. You can provide the opportunity to feed non-dangerous species of animals by selling food on the territory of the zoo. Additional income can be obtained with the help of a cafe operating at your institution.

Will the business be profitable?

In order for the petting zoo to bring the desired profit, it is necessary to correctly think over the business plan. Minimum start-up capital required to open such an institution - 300 thousand rubles. You can start with a small assortment of fauna representatives, gradually expanding it. In addition to animals, you will need to purchase enclosures and equipment. The cost of renting a site will depend on its location. You also need to think about finding employees. Even a small establishment will require a guide, administrator, veterinarian, cleaners and animators. The largest number of visitors is observed in the summer, while in winter some animals hibernate.

Bet on the purchase of animals that can bring additional profit. You can sell ostrich eggs, rabbit fur, sheep wool. In a petting zoo, the number of animals that can safely contact a person should prevail. It is very profitable to buy horses: riding delights children.

Such a business is not without its shortcomings.

Before opening a petting zoo, you will have to obtain a large number of permits.

Firstly, the enterprise must be registered with the tax office, and secondly, it will be necessary to obtain permission from local authorities authorities. All animals must be examined by a veterinarian and vaccinated. With the right approach to organizing a business, its profitability can be quite high. If you conduct an advertising campaign correctly, draw up a work schedule, set adequate prices, your business will be successful.

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Among children and their parents, the so-called mini-zoos (otherwise they are called rural zoos or petting zoos) are becoming more and more popular. The first such zoos were opened outside the city. Farm owners organized separate enclosures for pets and birds, and organized excursions for children.

Zoos of the new format began to enjoy great popularity among visitors. A few years later, the innovation reached the cities and turned from an opportunity for additional income for farmers into the main and profitable business private entrepreneurs.

The main difference between a rural zoo and an ordinary one is that all the birds and animals presented there are allowed to stroke and feed. True, their number is usually small. Basically, these are rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, sheep, goats, pigeons, turkeys, piglets.

In addition, if the budget allows, you can also put some closed enclosures with small wild animals, aquariums with tropical fish, terrariums with reptiles. Some city mini-zoos even have certain types exotic and rare birds and animals: ostriches, foxes, arctic foxes, peacocks, monkeys, crocodiles, parrots, scorpions, etc. Although, as the owners of theme parks note, it is unprofitable to keep large and predatory animals: they require special care and special conditions content, besides, they are not allowed to touch and feed by hand. Connoisseurs say that you should not bet on a large number of "exhibits" and, moreover, on rare items.

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Preference is given to those animals from which you can get additional income (for example, selling ostrich eggs, rabbits, knitted products from sheep's down, etc.), as well as those who can be picked up or touched (for example, from reptiles, this is an iguana , beard, maize snake, tilikva).

The main sources of income for the mini-zoo are paid entrance and additional services for visitors: the sale of souvenirs and animal feed, souvenir photos, holding children's events on the territory of the zoo, and the sale of animals.

If your city already has a similar rural zoo, it is advisable to find some kind of specialization that will allow you to build up from your competitors. For example, instead of the usual pets, you can collect representatives of dwarf decorative breeds. Miniature horses, sheep or pigs are more expensive than their ordinary relatives, but are very popular among children and adults.

Ready-made ideas for your business

To accommodate the enclosures will need a spacious room. At the same time, it is desirable that it be located, if not in the center, then at least within the city. AT major cities such zoo-centers are opened near city parks. This is the best place in terms of location, where there are a lot of your potential clients- parents with children. On the other hand, if the number of animals presented to you is large enough, one room is not enough. And renting such a large area in the city center will cost a lot.

The second significant item of expenditure is the purchase of the animals themselves, the necessary equipment and feed. All animals must be inspected by veterinarian and have the necessary vaccinations.

Of the employees, you will need an administrator, an animal care specialist who will feed and clean their enclosures, aquariums, terrariums and cages, an animator (if you plan to organize additional events for children), a guide who will accompany zoo guests. You will also need to contact the services of a veterinarian from time to time.

Think in advance about how you will attract visitors. The main target audience of mini-zoos and exotariums (exhibitions of rare exotic animals) are, of course, children. Use traditional advertising methods - print, outdoor, radio and television advertising. For example, posting posters in public transport is quite effective. Arrange with kindergartens and schools to organize excursions in your zoo. By far, the most effective and low-budget advertising is word of mouth.

As practice shows, successful projects petting zoos start out as a hobby – caring for animals, collecting their rare species, or a 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 target audience Why do people go to the petting zoo?

So, 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: pet, feed, 3% visit such establishments with research purpose. According to age, these trends are shown in Chart 1

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 answers were present such as: love for animals, communication with nature, the ability to make unusual photo, play with the 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, and also a 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.
• 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

We will consider this format using the example of a petting zoo with the 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.

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 “butterfly maternity home” - a place where they hatch from a cocoon.

Capital investments at 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 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 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 can become patrons, providing financial assistance 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 such as pony, horseback, 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.

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 farm and income is also generated by products derived from animals.

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. AT indoors, sufficient area are cells, aquariums and terrariums with small animals, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods and, sometimes, insects. 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 the zoo is quite suitable for a year-round visit, and the range of 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. In this case, it is necessary to carefully check the heating and ventilation systems and make sure they are in perfect 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, political situation in Ethiopia, atmospheric pressure, as well as 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 at the contact mini zoo is generally not the cornerstone 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, first of all, for a children's audience, so it would not be superfluous to organize a playground or a playroom for recreation, as well as selling 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 indicative list the main expenses that you will face at the initial stage of 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.

Every month you will also have to spend money on salaries for employees, pay utilities, 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.

As for 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 you will be too burdened by the responsibility for so many living creatures that require care and care.

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