How to organise an Animal Cuddle Day

Start by confirming which animals will attend, where they can be housed and how visitors will move through the venue. Before invitations go out, write the animal welfare and safety rules, check the enclosures and assign trained handlers. Registrations then give you numbers for food, drinks, seating and volunteer shifts. On the day, build the tents, place fences and handwashing stations, prepare feed and set up a calm route between the animals and the registration area.

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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

1
Record animal lineup
2 people
2
Reserve venue
3
Book animal enclosures
4
Draw up animal welfare plan
2 people
5
Record safety rules
2 people
6
Send invitations
2 people
7
Process registrations
2 people
8
Collect dietary requirements
9
Assign volunteers
2 people
10
Instruct animal handlers
2 people
11
Create route and map
2 people
12
Check animal enclosures
2 people
13
Check stock
2 people
14
Do the shopping
2 people
15
Portion animal feed
2 people
16
Prepare snacks
3 people
17
Chill drinks
2 people
18
Prepare materials
3 people
19
Clean the venue
3 people
20
Build party tents
4 people
21
Set up animal fencing
4 people
22
Set up animal enclosures
4 people
23
Set up tables and chairs
3 people
24
Install handwashing stations
2 people
25
Hang decorations
2 people
26
Place information signs
2 people
27
Feed the animals
3 people
28
Set up registration desk
2 people

Event

29
Let the animals settle in calmly
3 people
30
Welcome visitors
3 people
31
Supervise cuddling activities
6 people
32
Check animal welfare
3 people
33
Guide children
4 people
34
Serve coffee and tea
2 people
35
Serve snacks
2 people
36
Refill drinks
2 people
37
Restock handwashing stations
2 people
38
Empty trash bins
2 people
39
Give animals rest breaks
3 people
40
Escort the last visitors
3 people

Aftercare

41
Bring the animals back
4 people
42
Clean animal enclosures
4 people
43
Clean animal supplies
3 people
44
Take down party tents
4 people
45
Take down animal fencing
4 people
46
Clear away furniture
3 people
47
Wash dishes
3 people
48
Clean the venue
4 people
49
Dispose of waste
2 people
50
Inventory materials
2 people
51
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

Finalise the animal lineup before booking enclosures or sending invitations. Each species may need different space, fencing, rest areas, feed and handling arrangements, so record those requirements in the welfare plan.
Set the visitor route before placing tables and chairs. Keep registration at the entrance, position handwashing stations between animal areas and eating spaces, and leave enough room for handlers to move safely.
Give every volunteer a specific shift and job, including registration, route guidance, cleaning and animal support. Brief animal handlers before visitors arrive so everyone follows the same safety rules.
Prepare animal feed in labelled portions before the event starts, and keep snacks and drinks separate from feed and animal equipment. Put water bowls, feed bowls, brushes, towels and rest mats where handlers can reach them without crossing visitor routes.
Check power and cold storage the day before, not during setup. Test the kettle and coffee machine, inspect extension cords and power strips, and chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise an Animal Cuddle Day?: Start at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead. Use the first 1 to 2 weeks to confirm the animal lineup, venue, enclosures and welfare plan before opening registrations.
How many volunteers do I need for an Animal Cuddle Day?: Plan at least 1 named volunteer for registration, 1 for route and safety support, and 1 trained handler per active animal area at each shift. Add a backup volunteer for breaks and unexpected cleaning.
What should I prepare the day before an Animal Cuddle Day?: Check every enclosure, fence, water bowl and feed container, and portion the animal feed. Also clean the venue, chill drinks, pack the registration materials and confirm each volunteer’s arrival time.
When should I set up the animal enclosures and handwashing stations?: Set up enclosures, fences and handwashing stations before tables, chairs and decorations. Finish the main layout at least 2 hours before visitors arrive so you can test the route and fix bottlenecks.

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.