Spending time with animals can be enjoyable and safe. However, animals can sometimes carry germs that make people sick. These illnesses are called zoonotic diseases, and they can spread through direct contact with animals or their environments.

Simple hygiene and safe behaviours can greatly reduce your risk.

How illnesses can spread from animals

You can become sick from animals through:

  • Touching animals, their fur, feathers or skin
  • Contact with animal faeces, saliva or bodily fluids
  • Touching surfaces or equipment animals have been in contact with
  • Eating or drinking without washing your hands after animal contact

Young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk and should take extra care.

How to stay healthy around animals

Follow these simple steps whenever you visit farms, zoos, wildlife parks, pet shops, or other places with animals.

Wash your hands

  • Wash your hands with soap and water after leaving an animal area, regardless of whether animals were touched
  • Wash hands before eating or drinking
  • Help children wash their hands properly

Avoid risky behaviours

  • Do not eat or drink around animals
  • Avoid touching your face or mouth while handling animals
  • Do not kiss animals or let animals lick your face
  • Never sample, taste or eat animal feed, or drink their water

If you or someone you know becomes unwell in the days after your visit, see your doctor and mention that you have had recent contact with animals.

Information for childcare services and schools

Visits to animal exhibits such as zoos, petting zoos, conservation parks and farms can provide valuable learning experiences for children. These visits allow children to interact with animals and learn more about animal care, conservation and the natural environment.

To help ensure visits are safe and enjoyable, it is important for childcare services, schools, educators and supervisors to take steps to reduce the risk of illness that can spread from animals to people.

The following resources support childcare services and schools to prepare for animal visits and teach children safe and healthy behaviours:

These resources can be used before, during and after animal visits to support good hygiene practices and help protect the health of children, staff and the wider community.

Guidelines for animal exhibitors, businesses and organisations

The Animal Contact Guidelines (PDF 2641KB) includes detailed guidance on reducing the risk of zoonotic disease from animals to humans, and enhancing standards in public health for:

  • Animal exhibitors and handlers
  • Pet shops
  • Schools and childcare services
  • Healthcare facilities
  • Event organisers

The Guidelines also aim to set minimum standards to assist local environmental health officers administer the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 and apply to any event or premises where animals are handled, exhibited or displayed (excluding commercial animal farming and processing).

The Introduction and Essential Considerations sections of the Guidelines provide core advice and apply to anyone who handles, exhibits, displays, sells, hosts, or houses animals in a public setting.

Resources for animal exhibitors and event organisers

These practical tools aim to reinforce behaviours that assist to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease, from animal contact, in a public setting.