permit needed to do educational reptile shows?

[amanda509]

i'm extremely interested in going into schools, or birthday parties, and doing some sort of educational reptile presentation. bring a few animals, do a powerpoint, give all sorts of cool facts, let the kids see the animals in person etc. i think that would be soo much fun! but i am not sure if i need a permit to do so. pennsylvania is extremely lenient when it comes to reptiles, and the reptile laws are very very vague. i tried contacting the pa fish and boat commission, who is in control of the animal laws about it, but no reply...help?

if it is a possibility, i dont want to charge for school presentations, but i would for private birthday parties...how much would something like this be worth?

 

[Carlton]

So a bit more info needed...would you be exhibiting animals taken in as a rescue organization? If you expect to be paid or exhibit rescues or rehabbed animals, I think you'd need a business license instead. Then as part of that I think you would need your housing facility inspected to make sure you are caring for the animals correctly (health and safety, zoo standards, etc...you'd end up being some sort of private zoo). I think you'd only need a "permit" if you were going to exhibit species that are illegal in your state, or were non-releasable rehabilitated natives that are permanently injured in some way.

If you just want to bring your own legally owned animals to classes or give shows without getting any fees for it probably not unless a school or other location requires some sort of waiver for liability. I know many of us bring our chams to schools for the same reasons without needing exhibitor licenses or permits. The school or other business may be restricted if they pay for a service or an event.

 

[amanda509]

So a bit more info needed...would you be doing this as a paid service? Would you be exhibiting animals taken in as rescues? If so, I think you'd need a business license instead. Then as part of that I think you would need your housing facility inspected to make sure you are caring for the animals correctly (health and safety, zoo standards, etc...you'd end up being some sort of private zoo maybe). I think you'd only need a "permit" if you were going to exhibit species that are illegal in your state, or were non-releasable rehabilitated natives that are permanently injured in some way.

If you just want to bring your own legally owned animals to classes or give shows without getting any fees for it probably not unless a school or other location requires some sort of waiver for liability. I know many of us bring our chams to schools for the same reasons without needing exhibitor licenses or permits.

i was not thinking of doing it for profit, unless i get alot of private birthday party requests. the only rescue i have right now is my cave gecko, so if i brought him in, i would need a permit? all my other animals were bought as pets or breeders. id like to stay away from the whole inspecting facility sort of thing, seeing how im a private breeder and keep my animals in my bedroom lol.

so, if i dont bring any rescues, i dont ask for profit, and the place wanting the presentation doesnt have any insurance or liability issues, i dont need a permit?

 

[Carlton]

so, if i dont bring any rescues, i dont ask for profit, and the place wanting the presentation doesnt have any insurance or liability issues, i dont need a permit?

I just can't answer this! Again, if you accept payment for a show, I think its going to trigger the business license thing (but I don't know anything about your state so you'd have to ask...like a small business bureau or something...there may be some category of small income that does not require a license).

When I meant exhibiting rescues I meant giving educational events as a recognized licensed rescue organization, not some private hobbyist who happens to have a pet you got from someone else. If you plan to keep and exhibit protected native species (and just about everything is protected these days depending on where you live) I think that would trigger all the inspection stuff. Just keeping any native species triggers some sort of permit (from your state fish and game or wildlife department). If any of your animals are not legal to keep in your state you'll expose yourself to state review anyway. You'd have to check with the state to see if this happens to be the case. Every state is different.

Maybe the thing to do is research herp rescue organizations to see how they handle educational shows and what sort of permits or licenses they have to carry. Another option might be checking with a regional herp society that has some sort of income or tax status that allows it to accept fees for services, but again the whole money thing is probably going to kick you into a different world.

I just don't think anyone is going to pay you to put on an exhibit without some sort of license. The license protects you as well as your customers. For example, if one of your animals happens to bite, threaten, or claw someone or someone claims your animal made their kid sick (whether the claim is legitimate or not!) you could be held liable. With no recognition as an inspected not-for-profit or small business this could be a nightmare. Better do the research and be safe rather than sorry.

If you don't get money for a show I bet you won't need anything.