Wildlife Encounters Zoo covers ALL of our activities engagements, classes and shows with Liability Insurance underwritten by National Fire & Marine Insurance Company. Our Agent is Lloyds of London in Dover, NH.

COMMERCIAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

Wildlife Encounters Zoo is committed to following the best safety practices for transporting, interacting with and presenting the animals with which we choose to work. In part, this is demonstrated by our membership in the Association of Professional Wildlife Educators.

As you will see, there are certain categories of Wildlife with which we choose not to work for reasons of safety or practicality of use in a travelling format. Specifically, large exotic hoof-stock and large cat species are Wildlife we feel are not appropriate for private ownership or Educational companies such as ours. These are best suited for viewing through Zoo visits, sanctuaries that provide tours, or Eco-tourism.

Since there are VERY FEW insurance companies in the United States that will write policies for live-animal companies, and the premiums are quite high...we are proud of our commitment to this practice. We believe that it is a vital component of operating as a professional company, and we hope it earns us your business.
Please feel free to ask us for a Proof of Insurance Certificate at the time of your booking!

Q: Do you have
insurance?

Q: Can you provide a
Proof of Insurance
Certificate?

Q: Is your policy
specifically written to
cover travelling
programs or events
outside your facility /
store?

Q: What are your State /
Federal License or
Permit Numbers?

Q: Will your Owner /
Presenter submit their
personal information for
a criminal background
(CORI) check?

A requirement for schools and
businesses that work with
children.

LICENSES & PERMITS

Licensing and Permitting are must-haves for any professional wildlife company. Federal and State regulations
are in place to protect you (the general public) and the animals.

Here is a list of our current licenses and permits:

• Animal Welfare Act - Enforced through the USDA
• New Hampshire Fish & Game Exhibitor's Permit
• Maine Fisheries & Wildlife / Warden Service Exhibitor's Permit
• Criminal Background Checks

Animal Welfare Act - Enforced through the USDA

Require federally-inspected facility, dedicated veteranarian, proper & humane housing & captive enrichment
programs, proper dietary practices & food storage, and much more.
The government even allows you to verify online that a company is licensed.
Go here: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/publications.html
(Scroll to the bottom of the page, and under the "Facility Lists" Section, look under Licensed Exhibits.
They are organized by State.)

*Please note that many companies who do not want the scrutiny of Federal Inspections or meeting mandated
guidelines...choose to not work with Mammals. The AWA is currently only applicable to Mammal Species.

New Hampshire Fish & Game Exhibitor's Permit

In New Hampshire, there are currently no laws regulating or inspecting facilities or programs exhibiting Reptiles & Amphibians. Exhibition and even public contact with any species is totally legal and unregulated - with the notable exception of ALL venomous reptiles which are illegal to even possess without a special permit.

Mammals, however are highly regulated!
Almost any mammal one can think of that you would not see in a NH Pet Store or on a farm...is classified as a "Controlled Species".

• A permit is required to possess and exhibit controlled species.
• Fish & Game must have dates & locations for all exhibitions of controlled species.
• NO PHYSICAL CONTACT is allowed between the general public and the controlled species.
  

THIS MEANS THAT IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS EDUCATORS MAY NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO HOLD, PAT OR TOUCH IN ANY WAY...OUR MOST EXOTIC SPECIES.

It is our policy to strictly comply with these regulations. Through our example, hopefully we can teach the kids more than just wildlife & environmental information. Yes...there have been people and companies in the past in southern NH that have let people illegally pet primates, tigers and much more. They are no longer in business...

Maine Fisheries & Wildlife / Warden Service Exhibitor's Permit

Information valuable to citizens of the State of Maine will be posted here shortly.
Thank you for your patience.

Criminal Background Checks

We would hope that not much more needs to be said about CORI Checks. If you have to do them, you already know it. All of the people employed by Wildlife Encounters Zoo pass and will readily submit their personal
information for you to verify.
We can't vouch for the animals, though :)