Healthy Communities

Animal Exhibits

Stay Healthy at Animal Exhibits

There are many ways to explore the animal world. Follow these tips to help prevent illness when visiting animal exhibits like petting zoos.

From watching calf roping at the rodeo to petting goats at the county fair, there are many ways to explore the animal world. Exhibits such as petting zoos and fairs allow children to experience coming face-to-face with animals. This interaction allows people to learn picture of little boy playing with chickensmore about animals and helps to build important human-animal bonds.

Unfortunately, many people become sick every year because of a visit to an animal exhibit. It's important to remember that animals sometimes carry germs that are harmful to people. If you forget to wash your hands after petting an animal, or bring food or drinks into an area where animals are exhibited, you increase your chance of getting sick. You can learn more about these germs and how they cause illness by visiting CDC's Healthy Pets Healthy People.

Below are some tips to help you stay healthy when visiting animal exhibits.

Animals and Health

Check out two CDC websites with helpful resources.

Wash your hands often if you visit an animal exhibit. Remember to wash your hands right after petting animals and when you leave animal areas.

picture of child washing hands

Supervise children around animals.

Wash Your Hands Often If You Visit an Animal Exhibit!

picture of little girl petting a baby goat

Eat and Drink Safely

Keep Children Safe Around Animals

If You Manage or Design an Animal Exhibit

Education/Information

Posters and Podcasts

More Information

Public Health Accrediation Board
Arkansas Department of Health
© 2017 Arkansas Department of Health. All Rights Reserved. www.healthy.arkansas.gov
4815 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205-3867
1-800-462-0599