Dangerous Wild Animals Licensing

If you want to keep a dangerous wild animal, before you get the animal you must get a licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. This was put in place to ensure that people who keep dangerous wild animals do not cause any risks to the public and safeguard the welfare of the animals.

There are many types of animals referred to as a dangerous wild animal, for example crocodiles, the big cats, wolves, ostriches and many poisonous snakes.

Zoos, pet shops and circuses need a different form of licence.

You must apply to us for a licence, and we will send a vet to inspect where the animal is going to be kept to make sure that the conditions, cages, food, etc are suitable. New licence applications will run for two years, at which time you must apply for a new one. The application will cost £265.

We have the power to seize any dangerous wild animal being kept on unlicensed premises.

Before we can give you a licence you have to show us that you:-

  • are suitably qualified to keep type and number of animals you want to keep;
  • will keep the animals in suitably sized, constructed, lit, ventilated, clean, heated accommodation;
  • will provide suitable food, drink and bedding materials;
  • will check them at suitable intervals;
  • will take all reasonable precautions to prevent infectious disease amongst the animals;
  • will do what is reasonably practicable to protect the animals if there is a fire or other emergency, including providing suitable fire fighting equipment.

We can refuse to give you a licence if we think that conditions are not suitable for keeping animals.

We may ask for special conditions if we think your premises need them for the safety of the animals or the protection of the public.

You can download a copy of the PDF file application form (96KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help).

If you need any more information please contact us using the contact details at the top of this page

Page last updated on 25 November 2011