NAICS 115210

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the federal statistical standard for categorizing business establishments to produce and share economic data across agencies. Developed under the Office of Management and Budget with Canada and Mexico, NAICS replaced SIC in 1997; the current vintage used for Census economic statistics is 2022. ¹
NAICS 115210 — Support Activities for Animal Production — covers establishments primarily engaged in supporting the raising of livestock such as cattle, goats, hogs, horses, poultry, and sheep. Examples include breeding services (including companion animals), pedigree record services, horse boarding, dairy herd improvement, livestock spraying, and sheep dipping and shearing. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 115210 overview
• NAICS 112920 — Horses and Other Equine Production
• NAICS 541940 — Veterinary Services

What this NAICS covers

• Animal breeding services, including companion animals such as dogs, cats, and pet birds. ²
• Pedigree and herd book record services supporting animal lineages. ²
• Horse boarding and related stable services for equines not owned by the establishment. ²
• Dairy herd improvement and testing activities to support milk production operations. ²
• Livestock spraying and other contract pest or parasite control services applied to herds. ²
• Sheep-specific services including dipping and shearing on a fee or contract basis. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	112920	Horses and Other Equine Production
NAICS	541940	Veterinary Services
NAICS	812910	Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services

Scope notes and exclusions

• Veterinary diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and veterinary testing are classified in NAICS 541940, not in NAICS 115210. ⁵
• Pet care services such as pet boarding, grooming, training, and sitting fall under NAICS 812910; horse boarding is specifically classified in NAICS 115210. ⁴
• Commercial hunting and trapping services are classified in NAICS 114210, not in NAICS 115210. ²
• Aquaculture (fish and shellfish farming and hatcheries) is covered by NAICS 112511, NAICS 112512, and related codes, not by NAICS 115210. ²

How Census publishes data for this code

Although most of NAICS Sector 11 is outside the Economic Census scope, support activities are an exception: the 2022 Economic Census includes NAICS 1151 and NAICS 1152, which covers NAICS 115210. ³

Program eligibility note

SBA identifies NAICS 115210 as eligible for the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program. Specific size standards are published by SBA; see the official lists for current status. ⁶

Frequently asked questions

• What activities fall under NAICS 115210?
  Establishments provide fee- or contract-based services that support animal production rather than produce livestock themselves. Typical activities include animal breeding (including companion animals), pedigree and herd book services, horse boarding, dairy herd improvement and testing, livestock spraying, and sheep dipping and shearing, performed for livestock owners. ²

• How does NAICS 115210 differ from veterinary or pet care services?
  Veterinary medical diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and laboratory testing are classified in NAICS 541940. Pet boarding, grooming, and training for household pets belong in NAICS 812910. By contrast, horse boarding and other livestock-support services fall under NAICS 115210. ⁴

• Are aquaculture or hunting-related services included here?
  No. Aquaculture activities for fish, shellfish, and other aquatic animals are classified in NAICS 11251 industries (including 112511 and 112512), and commercial hunting or trapping services are in NAICS 114210. These activities are outside NAICS 115210. ²

• Is NAICS 115210 included in the Economic Census?
  Yes. While most of Sector 11 is excluded, the Economic Census includes support activities for crops and animals. For 2022, that coverage spans NAICS 1151 and 1152, which encompass NAICS 115210 establishments engaged in animal-support operations. ³

• Is NAICS 115210 eligible for WOSB set-asides?
  Yes. SBA’s published eligible NAICS list includes NAICS 115210 for the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program. Firms should verify current eligibility and any documentation or certification requirements against SBA’s latest official list and guidance. ⁶

Useful resources

• U.S. Census Bureau — Introduction to NAICS. ¹
• U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS Sector 11 definitions (includes NAICS 115210). ²
• U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 Economic Census guidance: Understanding NAICS and coverage exceptions. ³

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — North American Industry Classification System (NAICS): Introduction to NAICS. https://www.census.gov/naics/
2. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS Sector 11: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (includes definition for 115210). https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect11.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 Economic Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (coverage exceptions include 1151 and 1152). https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/guidance/understanding-naics.html
4. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS Sector 81: Other Services; includes NAICS 812910 with cross-references to 115210 and 541940. https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect81.html
5. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS Sector 54: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; NAICS 541940 with cross-reference to 115210. https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect54.html
6. U.S. Small Business Administration — Eligible NAICS for the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program. https://www.sba.gov/document/support-eligible-naics-women-owned-small-business-federal-contracting-program