Animal Cuddle Day checklist

An Animal Cuddle Day needs more than a guest list and a few friendly animals. You need a confirmed animal lineup, suitable enclosures, welfare and safety rules, trained handlers, and a clear visitor route. Plan registrations and dietary requirements early, then leave enough time for shopping, food portions, handwashing stations, tents, fencing and tables. This checklist puts the work in a practical order so animal care stays central while guests can move around safely.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Record animal lineup
2 people
Reserve venue
Book animal enclosures
Draw up animal welfare plan
2 people
Record safety rules
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Assign volunteers
2 people
Instruct animal handlers
2 people
Create route and map
2 people
Check animal enclosures
2 people
Check stock
2 people
Do the shopping
2 people
Portion animal feed
2 people
Prepare snacks
3 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Prepare materials
3 people
Clean the venue
3 people
Build party tents
4 people
Set up animal fencing
4 people
Set up animal enclosures
4 people
Set up tables and chairs
3 people
Install handwashing stations
2 people
Hang decorations
2 people
Place information signs
2 people
Feed the animals
3 people
Set up registration desk
2 people

Event

Let the animals settle in calmly
3 people
Welcome visitors
3 people
Supervise cuddling activities
6 people
Check animal welfare
3 people
Guide children
4 people
Serve coffee and tea
2 people
Serve snacks
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Restock handwashing stations
2 people
Empty trash bins
2 people
Give animals rest breaks
3 people
Escort the last visitors
3 people

Aftercare

Bring the animals back
4 people
Clean animal enclosures
4 people
Clean animal supplies
3 people
Take down party tents
4 people
Take down animal fencing
4 people
Clear away furniture
3 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Clean the venue
4 people
Dispose of waste
2 people
Inventory materials
2 people
Return borrowed materials
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 50
Registration desk
Picnic tablesqty 4
Animal fencingqty 24
Hay balesqty 12
Storage cratesqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 40
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6

Equipment

Kettleqty 2
Coffee makerqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Water jugsqty 6

Animal supplies

Feed bowlsqty 12
Drinking bowlsqty 12
Animal brushesqty 8
Pet towelsqty 12
Rest matsqty 8
Hay racksqty 6
Transport cratesqty 6
Wooden sheltersqty 4
Rubber bootsqty 6

Decorations

Animal balloonsqty 40
Buntingqty 6
Animal postersqty 12
Name badgesqty 60
Tableclothsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Information signsqty 10

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8

Cleaning

Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Door matsqty 4
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Broom setsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Safety vestsqty 10
Barrier tapeqty 4
Flashlightsqty 4
Fire extinguishersqty 2

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Confirm the animal lineup and venue before sending invitations. The number and type of animals determines how many enclosures, fences, handlers, rest mats, feed bowls and water bowls you need.
Write the welfare and safety plan before opening registrations. Include handling rules, animal rest periods, visitor flow, handwashing points and what happens if an animal becomes stressed or the weather changes.
Set a registration deadline early enough to process guest numbers and dietary requirements before shopping. Use the final count to portion animal feed, prepare snacks, chill drinks and set out reusable cups, plates and cutlery.
Brief every animal handler before guests arrive, not during the first interaction. Walk through the route and map, enclosure checks, visitor limits, handwashing procedure and where towels, brushes and storage crates are kept.
Allow a full setup window before opening: clean the venue, build the party tents, place animal fencing and enclosures, arrange tables and chairs, connect equipment safely, and check that water and power are available at each needed point.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise an Animal Cuddle Day?: Start at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead so you can confirm the animal lineup, reserve the venue, book enclosures and prepare the welfare plan. Set the registration deadline at least 7 days before the event.
How many animal handlers do I need for an Animal Cuddle Day?: Plan at least 1 trained handler for each active animal interaction area, plus 1 floating volunteer for queues, questions and breaks. Add more coverage if several enclosures operate at the same time.
When should I prepare the animal food and guest snacks?: Check stock and shop after registrations close, usually 5 to 7 days before the event. Portion animal feed as close to the event as practical, and prepare snacks and chilled drinks on the day or the evening before.
What should be ready before guests arrive?: Finish venue cleaning, tents, fencing, enclosures, tables, seating and handwashing stations before registration opens. Complete the animal enclosure check and handler briefing at least 30 minutes before the first guest interaction.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.