Exhibiting Exotic Animals

Review the application for a permit to exhibit exotic animals. This application must be accompanied by all required supporting documentation described below. After reading these instructions, you should contact the NYC Department of Health, Office of Veterinary Public Health Services at (646) 632-6604. Applications must be submitted no less than 10 business days prior to the animal's arrival.

Animal Exhibition Permit Application (PDF)

Applicants must provide a description of the type or purpose of the exhibit, including dates, times and the full address where the exhibit will take place.

Supply a complete list of all animals to be exhibited along with accompanying veterinary health certificates for each animal, and shipping documents.

Provide a detailed description of planned safety measures to protect the public.

Arrangements for housing animals at exhibition site and night quarter location.

Detail proposed methods for sanitary control and waste removal.

Provide proof of valid liability insurance coverage.

For animal exhibits taking place outdoors, exhibitors must submit a permit application with the Mayor's Office of City-wide Event Coordination and Management (CECM). Proof that a CECM permit application has been submitted must be included with the application for the Permit to Exhibit Exotic Animals.

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Each exhibiting animal must have a fully completed health certificate from an accredited, licensed veterinarian. The health certificate must be issued within 30 days of the animal's date of arrival in New York City and should list all relevant information (i.e. list type, name of vaccines, serial number if applicable) and tests administered (e.g., rabies, brucellosis, TB, Coggins, etc.). The veterinarian's license number, full office address (not a P.O. Box) and telephone number must be included for verification.

Written proof of current vaccination against rabies (vaccination must have occurred at least 28 days prior to arrival in NYC) for all animals for which there is an approved and licensed rabies vaccine (i.e. all horses, cattle, sheep, etc. that are three months of age or older). For those mammals where an approved vaccine is not required, vaccinations are recommended.

Each horse or other Equidae (e.g., zebras, donkeys, mules) must have a current copy of a negative Coggins test performed within the past twelve months.

For those animals from New York State: Health certificates are required for intrastate movement of animals into NYC (no state approval is required).

For those animals coming to New York City from outside New York State: The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Veterinary Public Health Services requires Exhibitors to receive New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets approval of health certificates. For review and approval of health certificates, please contact the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets at (518) 457-3502 or fax to (518) 485-7773 or see the link to New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, above.

For Horses and other Equidae, New York State requires equine infectious anemia vaccination within the past 12 months.

For Cattle, Antelope, and Bison, New York State requires brucellosis, anaplasmosis, bluetongue, vesicular stomatitis, and tuberculosis vaccinations.

For Swine, New York State requires brucellosis and pseudorabies vaccination.

For Sheep and Aoudad, New York State requires bluetongue vaccination.

For Goats, Llamas, Alpacas, and Camels, New York State requires brucellosis and tuberculosis vaccines.

For Deer and Elk New York State requires brucellosis, tuberculosis, bluetongue, and anaplasmosis vaccines.

For Elephants, New York State requires tuberculosis vaccination within the past 12 months.

For Emus, Rheas, Ostrich, Cranes, and Peacocks, New York State requires avian influenza vaccination.

For Primates, New York State requires tuberculosis vaccination.

For Cynomolgus, African Green and Rhesus Macaque Monkeys, New York State requires that they be quarantined for 60 days and tested for filovirus both before and after entry into New York State. The filovirus test must be conducted within 14 days of coming into the state and repeated before being let out of the in-state quarantine. For entry into New York State from a closed colony, the animals must be isolated from the time of the filovirus test is conducted within 14 days of entering the state, as opposed to the full 60-day pre-shipment quarantine. The 60-day quarantine and retesting after arrival is still required.

For Bats, Large Cats, Owls, Skunks, Sugar Gliders, Flying Squirrels, and Wolves require New York State Special Licenses. Contact New York State Department of Conservation (ENCON) at (518) 402-8985 or see the link above under Additional Information.

There is no fee for this permit.

Exhibiting Exotic Animals

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