This policy sets out requirements for animal-related activities on our platform, and the requirements activity providers must meet when offering those activities. 

Activity providers must:

• comply with applicable animal welfare, veterinary, health, safety, accreditation, licensing, and permitting laws and requirements;
• operate activities in a manner that does not intentionally harm, distress, or improperly exploit animals;
• provide animals with food, water, shelter, sanitation, space, handling, rest, and veterinary care appropriate to the species and activity; 
• use handling, restraint, and training methods that do not involve drugging, beating, whipping, hooks, or other harmful coercive practices; 
• maintain reasonable controls to protect guests, including appropriate briefings, supervision, barriers, distancing, compliance with local laws, and safety equipment where needed; 
• not permit guest interaction with animals that are sick, injured, or in visible distress, or where the interaction would create an unreasonable risk of injury; 
• only permit intentional physical contact:
  • with domesticated animals, such as equine and bovine mammals, dogs, and cats, or
  • as part of supervised educational and therapeutic experiences; and 
• promptly address animal welfare or guest safety concerns relating to an activity listed on our platform. 

Animal-related activities cannot include:

• interactions with, or performances by, dolphins, whales, other cetaceans, elephants, big cats, bears, reptiles, and primates;
• trophy hunting, canned hunting, bear baiting, spearfishing, animal wrestling, bull fighting, dog fighting, cock fighting, or similar activities; 
• activities that involve feeding live animals to other animals as part of the guest experience; 
• attractions or venues where animals are bred for commercial animal trade or products, or where products sourced from wild animals are sold, including crocodile, civet coffee, turtle, tiger, snake, and bear-bile farms;  
• the use of animals primarily as props for photographs, selfies, or similar guest interactions;  
• animal observational experiences in exotic pet cafés, restaurants, and traveling zoos; 
• animal racing, except for horse racing and dogsled racing; or 
• animal rides, except for equine and certain domesticated animals.  

The category-specific requirements and prohibitions below apply in addition to the general requirements and prohibitions above. 

Zoos and aquariums

Zoos and aquariums must be accredited by, or actively working toward accreditation with, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums or another regionally recognized association, as determined by Expedia. For clarity, this policy’s restrictions on animal interactions still apply, even if an accreditation authority permits interactions.  

Wild animals in natural or semi-natural habitats

Activities featuring wild animals in natural or semi-natural habitats must be limited to observation, must not materially interfere with natural behavior, and must allow animals space and opportunity to disengage. 

If we are made aware of a possible violation of this policy, we will investigate and take appropriate action, including suspension or termination of the activity-provider.