Animal market checklist and planning guide

An animal market needs more than exhibitors and stalls. You must arrange permits, animal welfare measures, veterinary cover, safe enclosures, utilities and a clear visitor route before opening day. This checklist helps you work through the planning in the right order, from confirming the date and location to checking registrations, power, water and printed materials. It also highlights practical details that are often left until the last week, such as dietary requirements, cable safety and separating animal areas from food service.

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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

Apply for a permit
Confirm location and date
Draw up animal welfare plan
2 people
Book the veterinarian
Reserve security
Invite exhibitors
2 people
Contact animal organizations
2 people
Approach food vendors
Send invitations
2 people
Post online promotion
Distribute flyers
2 people
Process registrations
2 people
Confirm exhibitors
Register animal species
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Book catering
Check power outlets
2 people
Create floor plan
2 people
Assign pitch locations
2 people
Set the route for visitors
2 people
Check animal enclosures
2 people
Order power and water
Order print materials
Check the shopping list
2 people
Do the shopping
3 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Prepare the cash register and change
2 people
Assemble info packs
2 people
Lay out animal passports
Check the weather forecast
Cordon off the area
4 people
Build party tents
4 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up animal enclosures
4 people
Connect power
2 people
Hang lighting
3 people
Set up stall decorations
3 people
Set up signage
2 people
Put up animal information
2 people
Build the catering buffet
3 people
Set out coffee and tea
2 people
Prepare animal feed
2 people
Place waste stations
2 people
Check sanitary facilities
2 people

Event

Welcome exhibitors
3 people
Check animals on arrival
3 people
Instruct exhibitors
2 people
Welcome visitors
3 people
Staff the entrance and registration
2 people
Staff the information desk
2 people
Guide the animal stands
3 people
Check animal welfare
2 people
Supervising children around animals
3 people
Serve catering
4 people
Serve coffee and tea
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Empty waste stations
2 people
Check toilets
Clean out animal enclosures
3 people
Answer audience questions
2 people
Register lost property
Support the veterinarian
2 people
See visitors out
3 people
Bring the animals back
3 people

Aftercare

Have exhibitors take down their stands
4 people
Dismantle animal enclosures
4 people
Take down tents and furniture
4 people
Collect waste
4 people
Clean the grounds
4 people
Clean animal supplies
3 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Remove decorations
2 people
Dismantle lighting
2 people
Inventory materials
2 people
Return borrowed items
2 people
Return rental items
2 people
Store leftover food
2 people
Take waste to the collection point
2 people

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 6
Market stallsqty 18
Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 8
Foldable tablesqty 4
Clothes racksqty 6
Storage cratesqty 20
Animal cratesqty 12
Hay binsqty 8
Drinking bowlsqty 16
Feed bowlsqty 16
Animal pensqty 10
Fence panelsqty 30
Crowd barriersqty 20
Bollardsqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 8
Parasolsqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Hot drink urnsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 12
Megaphone
Card machinesqty 2
Cash registersqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 10
LED lampsqty 20
Work lightsqty 6
Batteriesqty 24

Decorations

Banner flagsqty 12
Balloonsqty 100
Tableclothsqty 20
Chalkboardsqty 12
Standard signsqty 20
Directional signsqty 16
Animal postersqty 20
Price listsqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 150
Tea glassesqty 80
Platesqty 180
Bowlsqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving spoonsqty 12
Pliersqty 12
Serving jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 6
Serving plattersqty 20
Coolersqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 6
Cling filmqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 16
Trash bag holdersqty 8
Hand broomsqty 6
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Mop setsqty 4
Bucketsqty 8
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Disinfectantqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 8
Towel dispensersqty 8
Dog waste bag dispensersqty 10
Dog poop bagsqty 1000

Animal supplies

Hayqty 6
Strawqty 8
Animal feeding bowlsqty 12
Animal toysqty 12
Pet towelsqty 20
Transport boxesqty 8
Water jerry cansqty 10
Drinking water tubsqty 20
Collarsqty 12
Line materialsqty 12

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Safety vestsqty 12
Work glovesqty 12
Flashlightsqty 6

Paper goods

Floor plansqty 250
Info Cardsqty 250
Name badgesqty 50
Wristbandsqty 300
Pensqty 30
Clipboardsqty 10
Receipt rollsqty 10
Cash boxesqty 2

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Start permits and the animal welfare plan early. Veterinary cover, security and species registration may require confirmations from several parties, so do not leave them until the final week.
Build the site plan around animal welfare and visitor movement. Mark every pitch, enclosure, barrier and route before ordering equipment, then check that food vendors do not obstruct animal access.
Check utilities against the equipment list, not just the venue description. Coffee machines, kettles, hot-drink urns, coolers and card machines need accessible power, while extension cords and cable mats must be routed safely.
Prepare animal care points for the full opening period. Place suitable crates, pens, feed bowls, drinking bowls and hay bins where exhibitors can reach them without moving animals through crowded visitor areas.
Set a final confirmation deadline for exhibitors and registrations. Confirm species, pitch locations, arrival details and dietary requirements several days before the market, then compare the confirmed numbers with catering, tables, chairs and printed materials.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I apply for an animal market permit?: Start the permit process at least 8 to 12 weeks before the market. The exact lead time depends on your local authority and the animals involved, so confirm requirements before inviting exhibitors.
When should I book a veterinarian for an animal market?: Book veterinary cover as soon as the date and location are confirmed, preferably 6 to 8 weeks in advance. Share the planned species, enclosure layout and opening hours so the veterinarian can assess the setup.
How many weeks before an animal market should exhibitors be confirmed?: Aim to confirm exhibitors 2 to 3 weeks before the event. That gives you time to register animal species, assign pitch locations, adjust the floor plan and order any missing equipment.
When should I check power and water for an animal market?: Check power outlets and water access at least 2 weeks before opening day, then test the setup during the final site walk-through. Include extension cords, power strips and cable mats in the check rather than relying on venue staff.

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.