Zoo accreditation sets minimum welfare and conservation standards but variation between facilities remains significant.
Zoo accreditation creates a floor of welfare and conservation standards that non-accredited facilities are not required to meet. AZA accreditation requires that facilities maintain species survival plans, provide enrichment programs, and meet minimum housing standards. However, accreditation is voluntary in most jurisdictions, and the majority of animal exhibitors — roadside zoos, petting zoos, traveling exhibitions — operate outside any welfare framework. Strengthening accreditation requirements and making them mandatory would improve outcomes for millions of captive animals.