Zoo licence
You’ll need a zoo licence if you’ll be displaying wild animals to the public for at least 7 days in a year in any place which is not a circus or pet shop.
If we grant you a licence your first licence will be for 4 years and any renewals will be for 6 years.
Before we grant the licence, we will inspect your zoo along with a veterinary surgeon. You will be liable for any vet fees.
Currently the only zoo in our district is the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Arundel.
To get a licence your zoo must:
- help educate people about biodiversity
- be suitable for the types of animals you’re keeping
- have a high standard of animal care
- do as much as possible to stop any animals escaping
- stop pests and vermin getting into the zoo
You must also do at least one of the following:
- conservation research or training
- sharing conservation information
- captive animal breeding
- helping repopulate or reintroduce species into the wild
You may not get a licence if anyone working in or managing the zoo has committed an animal welfare offence.
If you run a zoo without a licence or do not follow the conditions of a licence you can get a fine of up to £2,500.
You can also get a fine of up to £1,000 if you:
- stop a zoo inspector doing their job properly
- do not display your zoo licence properly
Before you apply for a licence
At least 2 months before you apply for a licence to run a zoo you must:
- tell us in writing to us that you intend to apply
- publish the notice in one local and one national newspaper
- put a copy of the notice at the site of the proposed zoo
To apply for the notification we’ll need the following information:
- site/location plan
- plan showing the proposed layout of the zoo
- planning permission
- animal accommodation plan
- entrances and exits plan (optional)
- stock list (optional)
- press notice (optional)
- public liability insurance certificate (optional)
- employer’s liability certificate (optional)
There is a fee for this service.
You’ll also need a debit or credit card for payment.
Apply for a licence
At least 2 months after you submitted the notification you can apply for the licence.
You’ll need to provide copies of the following information:
- notice of intention published in the press (at least one national and one local newspaper)
- notice of intention displayed at the site (optional)
- amended stock list (optional)
There is a fee for this service.
You'll also need a debit or credit card for payment.
If we refuse a licence
We must refuse a licence if we believe that you cannot meet the licence conditions.
You have the right of appeal to a first-tier tribunal within 28 days of our decision notice.
Renew a licence
You’ll need to apply for a renewal at least 8 weeks before the expiry of the current licence.
You’ll need to provide copies of the following information:
- notice of intention published in the press (at least one national and one local newspaper)
- notice of intention displayed at the site (optional)
- amended stock list (optional)
You'll also need a debit or credit card for payment.
Amend a licence
You can only change the:
- existing licence holder’s name
- contact details
There is a fee for this service.
You’ll also need a debit or credit card for payment.