[CedarDave]

I did a bit of research. It turns out that they fall under the animal welfare act as an "exhibitor." The term is used very broadly to include even educational exhibits which do not charge admission (as usual the feds expanded the law which says:

(h) The term “exhibitor” means any person (public or private) exhibiting any animals, which were purchased in commerce or the intended distribution of which affects commerce, or will affect commerce, to the public for compensation, as determined by the Secretary, and such term includes carnivals, circuses, and zoos exhibiting such animals whether operated for profit or not; ... )
Notice the term "as determined by the Secretary" that roped in educational exhibiting such as schools or nursing homes.

Animal Exhibitors [Factsheet]

[MeshugeMikey]

“as determined by the Secretary”

How did we ever survive before the Government intrusion into EVERYTHING??