Service Apply for a zoo licence
Information about zoo licences is under running a zoo.
How to apply
If you have given us at least two months notice of your intention to apply for a zoo licence you can now make your application. You can do this online.
Licence Applications
What you will need
You will need to provide us with information about the business such as your operating procedures outlining how you meet and comply with each of the conditions of the licence.
The following documents should be attached to your application:
Notice of Intention to Operate a Zoo
- Notice of Intention Form
- Map of existing premises
- Map of proposed zoo
- Collection plan
- Development plan
- Copy of planning permission (if it’s been obtained)
- Copy of the Newspaper adverts for intention to operate a zoo.
- Public Liability Insurance
Application Stage (2 months after Notice of Intention)
- Completed Zoo1 Form (Pre-Inspection Audit)
- Updated Map of proposed zoo
- Updated Collection plan/ Inventory list
- Mission Statement (if they have one)
- Organisational chart for the zoo operations
- Venomous species procedure including anti-venom provision
- Emergency procedures
- Record of emergency drills
- Firearms procedure, storage and list of staff who are trained in the use of firearms (where required for Category 1 animals)
- Education Programme
- Conservation & Research Contributions
Payments
You will need to pay a fee for your zoo licence. Please make sure you are aware of how much this will cost.
You will also need to pay the vet's fee for inspecting the zoo. We will ask you to pay this after the inspection has taken place.
Start the journey
More info about the journey
Payments
- You will need to pay a fee for your licence. Please make sure you are aware of how much this will cost
- You will need a credit or debit card to pay by phone
- You will need to provide details of your current insurance for the business
Following your application there will be a detailed inspection of the zoo by a specialist vet.
The vet will send us their report and the licence will then either be granted and we'll send you your licence in the post or it may be refused or have additional conditions added to it.
If your application is likely to be refused or have additional conditions added we will contact you.
Renewing your licence
Once granted, a zoo licence will run for four years. You will then need to apply to renew it at least six months before it expires.
You will also need to send us an up to date stock list in December each year
What you can do if you haven't heard from us
It is in the public interest that we process your application before deciding if it can be granted. This means that you'll need to wait for our decision before you start operating. If after two months you haven't heard from us please contact us by email or telephone for an update.
What you can do if your application is unsuccessful
Please contact us to discuss why you have been refused a licence or if you think we have asked for an unreasonable condition.
Appeals
If you are not happy with our decision, you can appeal to the magistrates court. A court may give directions on the issue of a licence or on any conditions imposed.