Hosting Animals at Your Event

02 Jul Hosting Animals at Your Event

Pictured above are highlights from the Steve Irwin Gala (5-5-2018) and the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace Annifursary (6-24-2018) both produced by Zynger Events.

Working with animals in events is equally challenging as it is rewarding. Our furry friends can present a new set of obstacles that are not usually included when working with just people. However, when there is a special level of detail that is implemented, both animals and people can have an exceptional time. Here, at Zynger Events, we have had the pleasure as well as great success working with animals in events. Most recently, we had the opportunity to produce the Steven Irwin Gala as well as PetSpace’s “Annifursary.” In both events, an added layer of care was needed to ensure that animals enjoyed themselves as much as the people did. Below are some top-level items to consider when producing animal events that were essential in the success our own:

 Safety:

Hosting animals at your events calls for extra precaution. As much fun as it is to have animals at your event, extra safety is needed to prepare for any kind of challenge ahead. Some practical things to consider are permits and legal compliances: is your event safe and compliant for all species to enjoy their time? There are special permits needed when animals are involved in your events. Another safety precaution to consider is having medical staff on hand to ensure the well-being of individuals attending your event. Having medical staff on hand can sound like a nuisance at first, but can be a real relief when something comes up.  Safety is the first step to ensuring that animals and people attending your event have a memorable time.

 Basic Needs for the Animals:

Inviting animals to your event also means providing for their needs. Just like people, they will need to eat, drink, and relieve themselves. It can be easy to forget since most events are for people. Therefore, make sure there is an abundance and diversity of food, water, and relief areas for the animals. When these needs are met, both the animals and people can enjoy themselves more easily. In providing for these needs there is also an opportunity for fun and creativity. Some suggestions are: fun food containers from which the animals eat and drink out of, or having fun creative décor for the animal relief areas to simulate the area in which the animals are most comfortable in. The event is just as much for the animals as it is for the people. When their needs are care for in the same amount of detail, everyone will be thankful and satisfied.

Having animals at your event can be overwhelmingly fun for both the people and animals attending. It’s not every day that both species get to enjoy each other’s company for special occasions. Hosting animals, however, call for more attention and preparation. When extra thought is put into the safety for all species and the basic needs for the animals, the event can truly be a success for everyone.