Service animal policy and procedure
Map
Service animal map (in-park interactive map)
Service animal map (pdf)
Policy
The Oregon Zoo adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), welcoming guests with service animals. This policy keeps Zoo visitors and animals safe. It also supports the Metro service animal policy for all of Metro facilities and venues. While visiting the zoo, you must observe the ‘quick-pass’, ‘off-limit’, and ‘amphitheater lawn’ area restrictions as a condition of entry, and any direct threats to patron safety or animal well-being may result in refusal of entry or removal. Pets, emotional support, and therapy animals are not permitted inside the zoo.
Definition of Service Animal
Per the ADA, service animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Emotional support, therapy, or comfort animals are not recognized as service animals and are not allowed inside the zoo.
Admission Policy
Guests with service animals must check in and out at the zoo's main entrance Guest Services office. Staff may inquire about the animal's training and if the service animal is required because of a disability. Service animals must be under handler control for the entire duration of their visit. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless the individual's disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal's safe, effective performance of tasks. The zoo does not kennel or care for service animals during visits.
Admission Procedure
The admissions procedures include a brief evaluation of the service animal.
If the service animal’s training is not apparent, staff may ask the following questions before entry:
- Is the service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
Pre-Entry Service Animal Health Assessment
Zoo staff verifies and ensures service animals are housebroken, healthy, and well-behaved. Signs of communicable illness may prompt a visual assessment by a zoo veterinarian before entry. Upon visual assessment, animals that present a potential communicable disease safety risk may be excluded. Exclusions for removal are at the zoo's discretion upon recommendation of the zoo veterinarian.
Handlers of service animals denied entry will be given the opportunity to access the zoo without the animal's presence. If the patron chooses not to enter the zoo without their service animal, they will receive a refund if the service animal is denied entry.
Handler Responsibility
In all areas of the zoo, the handler may not allow the service animal to wander away from them and must maintain control of the service animal, even if it is retrieving an item at a distance from the handler.
The zoo is not able to provide a rest area or supplies for service animals. Please come prepared with anything your service animal may require during your visit. If a service animal needs to relieve itself, handlers may exit the zoo temporarily at the main entry. A service dog that is not housebroken will be asked to leave the zoo.
Service Animal Behavioral Requirements
The handler must maintain control over the service animal at all times. The service animal must not bark, growl, or otherwise threaten guests or zoo animals, and must not leave biological waste.
Zoo Animal Behavior
The service animal and handler must move to another exhibit if zoo animals react negatively to the service animal.
Restrictions During Your Visit
To have a successful visit, watch how zoo animals react to your service animal and make sure to follow the requirements of the Off-limit, Quick pass, and Amphitheater lawn areas.
Off-limit and Quick-pass Areas
The Zoo designates ‘Off-limit areas’ and ‘Quick-pass areas’ to ensure safety. No service animals are allowed in off-limit areas, while quick-pass areas require swift movement through the area.
- Off-limit areas include: Family Farm Barn, Amphitheater and the encounters theater during animal presentations (Wildlife Live/Animal Encounters), Vollum Aviary, and Tiger (lower path view).
- Quick pass areas include: Cascade Aviary, Cougars, Family Farm, Polar Passage, Primate Forest, Predators, and Flamingos. These areas are also highlighted on the Service Animal Map.
Amphitheater Lawn Area
When there is no presentation at the amphitheater, the lawn and seating walls are a great place to relax, soak up the sun, and enjoy a snack. The amphitheater is not a park and is not a service animal off-leash dog area. Handlers who use the space to play or run their service animals will be asked to gain control of their service animal. If the handler does not gain control, staff will ask that the service animal be removed from the property.
Service Animal Removal
If a service animal handler does not maintain control of the service animal or fails to observe the ‘Off-limits’ or ‘Quick Pass’ or ‘Amphitheater Lawn’ area requirements, they will be asked to remove the service animal from the property. The service animal’s handler will be allowed to access the Zoo without the animal's presence.
Thank You!
The Oregon Zoo appreciates cooperation in ensuring a safe and positive experience for guests, service animals, and Zoo animals. Contact staff or the admissions office for assistance during your visit: 503-226-1567.
Thank you for choosing the Oregon Zoo. We hope you have an outstanding experience!