Animal market checklist and planning guide

An animal market needs more than stalls and visitors. You also need time to check permits, animal welfare requirements, participant terms, power needs and emergency arrangements before registration opens. Use the checklist to work from the first date and location decisions through stall allocation, visitor information, volunteer scheduling and the final weather check. Plan animal housing, water, feed, shade and waste control early, because these are easy to arrange too late.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

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

Preparations

Confirm date and location
2 people
Check permits
Check animal welfare requirements
2 people
Draft participant terms and conditions
2 people
Publish registration form
Send invitations
2 people
Contact animal organizations
2 people
Recruit stalls and vendors
2 people
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Assess animal groups
2 people
Confirm sales terms
Assess power requirements
Make reservations
Set up the floor plan
2 people
Assign market stalls
Send parking information
Publish visitor information
Schedule volunteers
2 people
Confirm suppliers
Confirm vet contact
Record emergency contact
Check the weather forecast
Call participants one last time
2 people
Do the shopping
3 people
Check materials
2 people
Prepare the registration pack
2 people
Check animal enclosures
2 people
Create route and information signs
2 people
Chill refrigerated items
2 people
Inspect the grounds
3 people
Build party tents
6 people
Set up market stalls
5 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up animal stalls
4 people
Connect power and lighting
2 people
Place waste stations
2 people
Place information signs
2 people
Set up the animal welfare station
2 people
Set up coffee and drinks station
3 people
Prepare snacks
3 people

Event

Receive vendors
4 people
Register sign-ups
3 people
Have stalls set up
4 people
Check animals safely
3 people
Welcome visitors
4 people
Provide information
3 people
Monitor animal welfare
3 people
Check animal enclosures
3 people
Refill the water tubs
2 people
Serve drinks
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve snacks
2 people
Collect waste
2 people
Check toilets
Top up feed and bedding
2 people
Monitor animal rest periods
2 people
Monitor traffic flow
2 people
Inform vendors of departure
2 people
See visitors out
3 people
Ensure animals leave safely
4 people

Aftercare

Have the stalls taken down
4 people
Dismantle animal enclosures
4 people
Collect tableware
2 people
Dispose of waste
3 people
Clean the grounds
4 people
Take down tents and tables
5 people
Clean materials
3 people
Disinfect animal equipment
3 people
Clear away lights and cables
2 people
Return borrowed items
2 people
Store leftover stock
2 people
Register lost and found items
Inform participants about aftercare
Process invoices and deposits
2 people
Create a photo and materials archive

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Market stallsqty 18
Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 6
Folding benchesqty 6
Tableclothsqty 20

Animal supplies

Animal cagesqty 20
Transport boxesqty 8
Water tubsqty 24
Feed bowlsqty 24
Drink bottlesqty 12
Hay racksqty 8
Ground cover traysqty 12
Fence panelsqty 30
Ground pegsqty 40
Covering clothsqty 20
Towelsqty 30
Hay balesqty 6
Water jerry cansqty 6
Dog waste bag dispensersqty 4
Dog leash pointsqty 8
Disposable glovesqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving traysqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 6

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 8
Cable reelsqty 4
Power stripsqty 8
Battery lampsqty 10
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Megaphone
Cash boxesqty 4
Clipboardsqty 12
Pensqty 50
Name stickersqty 150
Payment terminalsqty 4
Cash traysqty 4

Decorations

Bannersqty 8
Flagsqty 20
Directional signsqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Broom setsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 6
Spongesqty 12
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Disinfectant spraysqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Toilet paper holdersqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Safety vestsqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 4
Traffic conesqty 12
Fire extinguishersqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Start with the date, location, permits and animal welfare requirements before inviting participants. Allow at least several weeks for approvals or changes to the site plan.
Open registration only after you have written participant terms, confirmed sales conditions and decided what animal groups the market can accommodate. This prevents unsuitable entries from reaching the final schedule.
Create the floor plan after assessing stall sizes, power requirements and animal access. Leave clear routes for visitors, transport boxes, emergency movement and waste collection.
Prepare one contact sheet with the vet, emergency contact, suppliers, volunteers and stallholders. Send parking and visitor information before the event, then call participants once more shortly before opening.
Check weather conditions before the final shopping and setup decisions. Make sure tents, ground cover, water containers, shade cloths, towels and cleaning supplies match the forecast and the animals attending.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I start organising an animal market?: Start at least 8 to 12 weeks before the market. Use the first 2 weeks to confirm the date, location, permits, welfare requirements and participant conditions before publishing registration.
What should be included in an animal market checklist?: Include permits, animal welfare checks, registrations, participant terms, stall allocation, power, suppliers, volunteers, emergency contacts, visitor information and final weather checks. Also allow space and budget for water, feed, housing, shade, fencing and waste control.
How many volunteers do I need for an animal market?: Plan volunteers by function rather than using one total: registration, visitor guidance, stall support, animal-area checks, cleaning and emergencies. A small market usually needs at least 1 coordinator plus 1 volunteer for each active area during opening hours.
When should I send information to animal market participants?: Send the first invitation when the date, location and participation terms are confirmed. Send parking, arrival, stall and animal-handling instructions at least 7 days before the market, then make a final call 1 to 2 days before it starts.

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.