Keeping or training animals for exhibition licensing

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How to apply
Application Evaluation Process
Licence Fees
Conditions of Licence
Appeals

Businesses operating on a commercial basis will need a licence if they keep or train animals for exhibition, for education or entertainment.

This can be:

to any audience in person
by recording visual images of the animals to play it to people using any technology

Examples of businesses include:

mobile animal exhibits that visit schools
weddings
private parties
fairs
any other events that have an audience

It also includes:

pony parties where the ponies are not ridden
exhibiting domestic animals in a circus
businesses which keep animals for exhibition through electronic media, for example, animals used in films or TV
businesses which train animals for exhibition, either to an audience or through electronic media

It does not apply to:

people who organise shows where animals are exhibited, such as Crufts and animal trade shows
registered charities that exhibit animals as part of charitable work, unless it is doing it on a commercial basis
training or exhibiting animals for military or police purposes, such as training police dogs or showing them at fairs
training or exhibiting animals for sports, such as horse or greyhound racing
licensed zoos

The licence is valid for 3 years.

Applications cannot be made by any individual who:

is subject to a specific disqualification or
has had certain licences revoked in the past

Please refer to the regulations and statutory guidance by following the button below.

The guidance provides more detailed information on the requirements that will apply. It also details whether there are any exemptions.

There is also specific statutory guidance which explains the business test and conditions of licence. The guidance also provides advice on what is in scope for licensing or out of scope.

Read the statutory guidance

How to apply

An application form will need to be completed. This should be submitted with the application fee and any supporting documents.

You can do this by downloading an application form. You will need to complete the form and send to the address on the form. Alternatively you can email the completed form, details are on the form.

Download the keeping or training animals for exhibition licensing application form

Application Evaluation Process

The Council is not permitted to consider and determine an application until it has an inspection report for the premises. To obtain a report the Council must instruct a suitably qualified inspector.

The inspector must establish whether mandatory conditions attached to any licence can be complied with. The Council must also consider whether the conduct displayed by any applicant indicates that they are a fit and proper person to carry out the licensable activity.

Tacit consent

We will aim to have your application determined within 10 weeks of a valid application and complete application.

If we have been unable to determine your application in this time a licence will not be automatically granted. This is due to animal welfare implications.

Licence Fees

Please view the current licensing fees and charges to find out how much you will need to pay. You will be recharged the cost of the veterinary surgeon inspection as part of the licence fee.

Conditions of Licence

All licences will be subject to mandatory conditions of licence. These are set out in the regulations.

Please read the statutory guidance relating to keeping or training animals for exhibition. This provides guidance on what is required to meet the conditions of licence.

The statutory guidance also provides advice on what is in or out of scope for licensing.

Appeals

The Council may refuse to

grant or renew a licence, or
revoke or vary a licence

Any person who is aggrieved by such a decision may appeal. Appeals should be made to the First-Tier Tribunal within 28 days of the decision.

Renewals

Licence holders must apply for a renewal at least 10 weeks before their current licence expires. This is if they wish to continue to operate without a break.