Zoo Compliance and Animal Welfare Excellence
Manage zoo licensing requirements, animal welfare standards, and visitor safety with comprehensive digital compliance tools.
The Challenge
Zoos must meet Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice (SSSMZP) covering animal welfare, enclosure security, keeper competencies, conservation, and education - with local authority inspections that can result in licence conditions or revocation. Paper-based systems make it impossible to track daily animal observations across hundreds of individuals, verify keeper competencies for dangerous animal protocols, demonstrate enclosure security checks, or compile zoo licence evidence. Problems surface during licence inspections when documentation is incomplete, after animal escape incidents, or when animal welfare concerns are raised.
How Assistant Manager Solves Zoos Compliance
Each module is designed to address the specific challenges zoos businesses face every day.
Checklist Management
Zoos need enclosure-by-enclosure checklists covering animal observations, feeding records, enclosure security, barrier integrity, enrichment delivery, and facility maintenance - with data tracked per individual animal for SSSMZP compliance
The Problems
Why This Matters for Zoos
- Daily animal health observations are recorded on paper sheets in keeper areas, with data scattered across multiple enclosures making it impossible to track individual animal history
Gradual health decline isn't noticed until serious, veterinary concerns aren't escalated properly, and licence inspections can't easily access welfare records
- Enclosure security checks are rushed before opening, with keepers ticking gate and barrier inspections without actually testing every lock and checking barrier integrity
A compromised barrier or failing lock goes undetected, leading to an animal escape incident that triggers HSE and local authority investigation
The Solution
How Checklist Management Helps
Enclosure-specific checklists with mandatory health observation fields, photo evidence requirements for concerns, GPS verification that keepers are at each enclosure, and animal-level tracking
Every animal has comprehensive health history accessible instantly, security checks are verified with photos, and zoo licence inspections have complete welfare evidence
Use Cases:
- • Daily animal health observation logging by individual
- • Enclosure security and barrier integrity inspections
- • Gate and lock verification before public opening
- • Stand-off barrier distance compliance checks
- • Enrichment schedule delivery confirmation
- • Pool filtration and water quality checks for aquatic species
- • Temperature and environmental control monitoring
Feature Screenshot
Checklist Management
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Daily animal health observations are recorded on paper sheets in keeper areas, with data scattered across multiple enclosures making it impossible to track individual animal history
Real Scenario
"During a zoo licence inspection, inspectors ask about a primate's recent health history. The head keeper knows the animal has been slightly off-colour for weeks, but can't produce consolidated records - observation sheets are filed in the keeper building and some are missing. This raises questions about your welfare monitoring."
Example 2: Enclosure security checks are rushed before opening, with keepers ticking gate and barrier inspections without actually testing every lock and checking barrier integrity
Real Scenario
"A capuchin monkey escapes through a mesh panel that had been gradually working loose. Investigation reveals daily security checks were logged as complete but keepers admit they didn't physically check every panel - the form was just ticked based on visual inspection."
Employee Scheduling
Zoos need scheduling that enforces species-level competencies - you can't move keepers between sections without verifying they have species-specific training, dangerous animal protocols, and relevant firearms authorization for Category 1 animals
The Problems
Why This Matters for Zoos
- Keeper rotas don't track species-specific competencies or dangerous animal protocol authorizations when assigning staff to sections
Keepers work with dangerous animals they're not authorized to handle, creating serious safety risk and regulatory exposure
- Firearms authorization tracking for Category 1 animal sections is manual, with no systematic checks before scheduling staff
Staff without current firearms certification are scheduled for dangerous animal sections, breaching zoo licensing conditions
The Solution
How Employee Scheduling Helps
Keeper scheduling with species-specific competency verification, dangerous animal protocol checking, firearms authorization tracking, and automatic alerts for missing qualifications
Every keeper is authorized for their assigned animals, dangerous animal sections have properly certified staff, and firearms authorization is systematically verified
Use Cases:
- • Section assignment with species competency verification
- • Dangerous animal protocol authorization checking
- • Firearms certification tracking for Category 1 sections
- • Minimum keeper ratios per section
- • First aid coverage requirements across zoo
- • Veterinary team on-call scheduling
- • Emergency response team assignment
Feature Screenshot
Employee Scheduling
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Keeper rotas don't track species-specific competencies or dangerous animal protocol authorizations when assigning staff to sections
Real Scenario
"A tiger keeper calls in sick and the duty manager assigns a replacement from the bird section. Nobody realizes the replacement keeper hasn't completed the big cat dangerous animal protocol training. During feeding, they violate lock procedures creating a near-miss that triggers an internal investigation."
Example 2: Firearms authorization tracking for Category 1 animal sections is manual, with no systematic checks before scheduling staff
Real Scenario
"During a zoo licence inspection, inspectors discover two keepers working in the carnivore section don't have current firearms authorization - one expired 3 months ago and nobody noticed. This becomes a formal licence condition requiring immediate rectification."
Incident Reporting
Zoos need incident reporting that captures animal welfare concerns, keeper accidents, dangerous animal protocol breaches, visitor interaction incidents, and enclosure failures - with automatic veterinary escalation and RIDDOR determination
The Problems
Why This Matters for Zoos
- Animal welfare concerns are mentioned verbally but not formally logged, so patterns aren't identified and veterinary escalation is inconsistent
A gradually declining animal isn't flagged for veterinary attention until seriously unwell, affecting welfare and potentially breaching SSSMZP standards
- Visitor interaction incidents (barriers breached, aggressive behavior toward animals) are recorded inconsistently with no central log
Patterns of visitor misbehavior in specific areas aren't identified, allowing dangerous situations to recur until a serious incident occurs
The Solution
How Incident Reporting Helps
Mobile incident reporting with animal welfare concern logging, visitor interaction incident tracking, near-miss documentation, and automatic veterinary notification
Every welfare concern is logged with animal history, visitor incidents are tracked by location, and patterns trigger preventive action
Use Cases:
- • Animal welfare concern logging with individual tracking
- • Keeper injury and dangerous animal near-miss reporting
- • Visitor barrier breach and interaction incidents
- • Escape incident and protocol breach documentation
- • Enclosure damage and security failure reporting
- • Veterinary case documentation and follow-up tracking
- • RIDDOR determination and HSE reporting
Feature Screenshot
Incident Reporting
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Animal welfare concerns are mentioned verbally but not formally logged, so patterns aren't identified and veterinary escalation is inconsistent
Real Scenario
"A head keeper notices that several colleagues have mentioned an elephant seems slightly lethargic over the past two weeks. But these observations were just verbal - nothing was logged. When the elephant finally collapses, the vet has no prior records to help diagnosis and asks why concerns weren't escalated sooner."
Example 2: Visitor interaction incidents (barriers breached, aggressive behavior toward animals) are recorded inconsistently with no central log
Real Scenario
"Visitors have been climbing on the penguin pool barrier for weeks - staff have told them to stop but never logged it centrally. Eventually someone climbs over completely and enters the pool area. Investigation reveals multiple previous incidents that weren't formally recorded or analyzed."
Training & Development
Zoos need training management that tracks multiple competency layers including species-specific authorization, dangerous animal protocols, firearms certification, chemical immobilization, and veterinary first aid - with evidence for zoo licensing inspections
The Problems
Why This Matters for Zoos
- Species-specific competency records are kept in different keeper supervisor folders, making it impossible to see who is authorized for which animals
Keepers work with species they're not competent for, or training gaps aren't identified until incidents occur
- Dangerous animal protocol training is inconsistent, with no standardized competency assessment or regular refresher schedule
Dangerous animal procedures aren't followed consistently, creating risk that's exposed when inspectors or incidents highlight gaps
The Solution
How Training & Development Helps
Digital training matrix tracking species-specific competencies, dangerous animal protocol certifications, firearms authorization, and veterinary first aid with automatic renewal reminders
All keeper competencies are consolidated centrally, species authorization is verified before scheduling, and dangerous animal training is standardized
Use Cases:
- • Species-specific competency tracking and assessment
- • Dangerous animal protocol training and certification
- • Firearms authorization for Category 1 animal sections
- • Chemical immobilization training for veterinary support
- • Veterinary first aid and animal handling certification
- • Escape drill participation and procedure training
- • BIAZA training standard compliance documentation
Feature Screenshot
Training & Development
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Species-specific competency records are kept in different keeper supervisor folders, making it impossible to see who is authorized for which animals
Real Scenario
"After a keeper is injured during primate feeding, investigation reveals they were never formally signed off as competent for that species - they'd shadowed experienced keepers but no competency assessment was documented. Your records show training started but not completion."
Example 2: Dangerous animal protocol training is inconsistent, with no standardized competency assessment or regular refresher schedule
Real Scenario
"A zoo licence inspection reviews your big cat protocols. Inspectors find that while initial training was delivered, there's no evidence of competency assessment, no refresher training schedule, and no verification that protocols are actually being followed correctly."
HR Management
Zoos need HR management covering firearms authorization, dangerous animal certifications, species competencies, DBS checks for education work, and emergency information - all integrated with scheduling to prevent unauthorized work
The Problems
Why This Matters for Zoos
- Firearms authorization status is tracked on spreadsheets that aren't kept current, with no automatic alerts before expiry
Keepers work in dangerous animal sections with expired authorization, breaching zoo licence conditions
- DBS checks for education staff working with school groups aren't systematically monitored for renewal through the Update Service
Education staff with lapsed DBS status continue delivering school sessions, creating safeguarding risk
The Solution
How HR Management Helps
Complete staff profiles with firearms authorization tracking, species competency records, DBS status monitoring, and emergency contacts with automatic expiry alerts
Firearms authorization is systematically tracked with renewal reminders, DBS status is monitored automatically, and all competencies are visible for scheduling
Use Cases:
- • Firearms authorization tracking with automatic alerts
- • DBS check monitoring for education and public contact roles
- • Species competency and section authorization records
- • Veterinary qualification tracking for animal care staff
- • Emergency contact information quick access
- • Keeper specialist skills matrix (hand-rearing, enrichment, etc)
- • BIAZA membership and professional development tracking
Feature Screenshot
HR Management
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Firearms authorization status is tracked on spreadsheets that aren't kept current, with no automatic alerts before expiry
Real Scenario
"Your firearms certificate tracking spreadsheet shows 12 authorized keepers. During a routine review you discover 3 have expired - one 6 months ago. These keepers have been working in big cat and bear sections daily without valid authorization. This is a serious zoo licensing breach."
Example 2: DBS checks for education staff working with school groups aren't systematically monitored for renewal through the Update Service
Real Scenario
"A school asks if all education staff are DBS checked. You verify records and find two regular education officers' Update Service subscriptions lapsed - one 8 months ago. They've been delivering school sessions to hundreds of children without current vetting."
Forms Management
Zoos need digital forms for animal movements, breeding loans, veterinary documentation, school visits, and conservation paperwork - with mobile access for keepers and education staff in the field
The Problems
Why This Matters for Zoos
- Animal transfer paperwork and health certificates are managed on paper, with documentation for endangered species breeding loans not easily accessible
Transfer conditions aren't followed because paperwork is filed away, or health declarations can't be quickly verified during veterinary consultations
- School visit booking forms are paper-based, with special educational needs and medical information not readily available during the visit
Education officers don't have immediate access to crucial information about student needs, allergies, or behavioral support requirements
The Solution
How Forms Management Helps
Digital forms for animal transfers, veterinary records, school bookings, and breeding loan agreements, with data accessible to relevant staff mobile devices
Transfer conditions are tracked systematically, school group needs are accessible during visits, and veterinary histories are instantly available
Use Cases:
- • Animal transfer and movement documentation
- • Breeding loan agreements and condition tracking
- • School group booking forms with SEN and medical needs
- • Veterinary treatment records and medication logs
- • Animal acquisition and disposal documentation
- • Conservation breeding program paperwork
- • Dangerous animal transport risk assessments
Feature Screenshot
Forms Management
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Animal transfer paperwork and health certificates are managed on paper, with documentation for endangered species breeding loans not easily accessible
Real Scenario
"Your zoo is loaning a female snow leopard for breeding. The receiving zoo's contract specifies monthly health updates and annual veterinary checks. Six months later you realize nobody has been sending the updates - the paperwork was filed after arrival and nobody has a system for following up on ongoing conditions."
Example 2: School visit booking forms are paper-based, with special educational needs and medical information not readily available during the visit
Real Scenario
"During a school visit, a student has a medical episode. The education officer doesn't have the booking form with them and has to call the office to get parental emergency contacts. The form is eventually found in a filing cabinet, delaying the emergency response by 15 minutes."
Results Zoos Businesses Achieve
Other Tourism & Attractions Solutions
Excellence in Zoo Management
Join leading zoos using Assistant Manager to maintain the highest standards of animal care and visitor safety.