Secretary of State Has No Standard Zoo Practice—Regulation Is State-by-State

The US Secretary of State has zero authority over zoo standards. This is a category confusion.

Who Actually Regulates Zoos

State governments: Each state sets wildlife possession, exhibition, and welfare laws. USDA (APHIS Animal Care): Enforces federal Animal Welfare Act (minimum standards for exhibitors). AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums): Voluntary accreditation exceeding legal minimums—gold standard. Local ordinances: Zoning, permits, public safety.

What "Secretary of State" Might Mean

State-level Secretary of State: Business filings, elections—not zoos. Secretary of the Interior: Oversees USFWS (Endangered Species Act, migratory birds, CITES)—affects zoo animals but not zoo operations broadly. Secretary of Agriculture: Oversees USDA/APHIS—direct AWA enforcement.

No Federal Zoo Standard

The AWA sets baseline care standards (housing, vet care, sanitation, records). AZA accreditation adds: conservation, education, research, welfare science, governance, safety. Many states incorporate AZA standards by reference or require accreditation for exotic species permits.

If you're asking about a specific state's zoo regulations, name the state. If you mean federal oversight, it's USDA/APHIS—not the State Department.