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Buying a zoo

Discussion in 'General Zoo Discussion' started by brightstar123, 11 Feb 2018.

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  1. brightstar123

    brightstar123 New Member

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    Hi everyone, just looking for a few ideas and suggestions. My partner and I are looking to buy a small private zoo. We have a decent amount of money to spend and are both vets. We are keen to buy something that's established, but with some potential to expand/make our own. The USA and U.K. seem like they could be the most realistic options, which is fine for us. Our interest is in small wild cat species but of course that will be something we have to work towards.
    Does anyone have any suggestions about where to look for sales listings or if there is anything on the market at the moment? I have just googled but I thought there might be a better way to find out if anything is/will be available for purchase. Any advice very appreciated! Thank you.
     
  2. Welsh Zootographer

    Welsh Zootographer Well-Known Member

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    12 months too late for a small zoo on the Mid-Wales coast that was sold. :)
     
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  3. Arizona Docent

    Arizona Docent Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    I am a small cat fanatic so I would love to have you come here to USA. If you do want to come over here, your first step is to join the Feline Conservation Federation: Feline Conservation Federation
    This is a support group for wild cat breeders and owners and they can give you all the regulations for every state in the USA as well as sources for wild cats (big and small).
     
  4. CGSwans

    CGSwans Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Look into Halls Gap Zoo in Australia. The owners have been looking to sell for a couple of years.
     
  5. MRJ

    MRJ Well-Known Member 15+ year member Premium Member

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    Probably the best approach is to look for Zoos that meet your requirements, then let it be known you may be interested in buying if the owner is thinking of selling.
     
  6. brightstar123

    brightstar123 New Member

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    Thanks for the suggestions :) I did enquire about the zoo in Wales but it wasn't really suitable for our purposes for a (large) number of reasons. The RSCC was much more enticing but was slightly beyond my budget unfortunately.
    It's a great idea to approach people directly, I will definitely do that. Does anyone have any suggestions for small private zoos to approach? I've been looking and have a list but any ideas very welcome!
     
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  7. kiwimuzz

    kiwimuzz Well-Known Member

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    it's complicated
  8. Mrscruffles

    Mrscruffles Member

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    I'm just curious what you ended up doing, if you ever found a place to buy? I would love to find an animal sanctuary for sale or a small zoo that I could convert more into a sanctuary. Thanks for passing on any experiences or info. I'm not sure how to send a direct email, this is my first post on this forum.
     
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  9. Jungle Man

    Jungle Man Well-Known Member

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    It's amazing you want to build a sanctuary and rescue animals, I wish you could accomplish your mission and make a big successful sanctuary!
     
  10. EsserWarrior

    EsserWarrior Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Unless you've got loads of money that you're willing to spend on an existing facility, I wouldn't count on taking that route. You'd, most likely, have an easier time purchasing your own land and building it from the ground up. Then you can acquire animals at your own rate and have a solid grasp on your own finances. The most important thinking is being financially stable and having the proper permits/licenses. The animals are going to come, you just have to get all the other things checked off first.
     
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  11. Mrscruffles

    Mrscruffles Member

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    Thanks Esser Warrior. I'd love to hear more about your ideas. We have some money, but were hoping to buy a pre-existing business because I do need to support my family with an income. At the same time, I want to own and run a place where the animals are all animals that need a place to go, preferably no breeding/selling, and enclosures and enrichment is as good as possible. We have looked at a couple for sale, but I worry about how to make them into places I feel proud of in terms of animal welfare. I don't know if we started from scratch how we could create any income, even a wage out of a non-profit. I wish we didn't need an income, because I would love to run a sanctuary where I could subsidize everything. Thanks for replying, so kind.
     
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  12. birdsandbats

    birdsandbats Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Just putting this out there - in a few years Animal Haven Zoo in Weyauwega, WI is planning to sell.
     
    Last edited: 7 Feb 2020
  13. Mrscruffles

    Mrscruffles Member

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    Thank you birdsandbats, I'll look it up. Very kind of you to respond.
     
  14. Mrscruffles

    Mrscruffles Member

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    Thanks so much for your supportive comment!
     
  15. Jungle Man

    Jungle Man Well-Known Member

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    The Perthshire's auchingarrich wildlife park in Scotland is for sale.
     
  16. Mrscruffles

    Mrscruffles Member

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    Thanks Jungle Man, I have looked into it, but got a bit stuck on immigration and if it is possible to take out a partial loan for a foreigner...but haven't given up. It looks beautiful. Thank you.
     
  17. EsserWarrior

    EsserWarrior Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    This facility looks like it could use a little TLC. If you bought it I would come and visit. :)
    (Plus, by then I'd hopefully be starting my own education business, so I'd totally be willing to help you out.)
     
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  18. Jungle Man

    Jungle Man Well-Known Member

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  19. Mrscruffles

    Mrscruffles Member

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    Awesome. Thank you, I may write to the owner. I appreciate it!
     
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  20. Mrscruffles

    Mrscruffles Member

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    You are SO kind to write to me about this. I have been in touch with the realtor, and I can't afford it outright and he said we wouldn't be able to get a bank loan because it is already closed. Doesn't it look totally awesome though?