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Zoo Licensing

Under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, anyone who wants to run a zoo must get a license from the Council. A zoo is defined as any establishment where wild animals are kept for exhibition to the public, except for circuses or pet shops. (Or places exempt by the Secretary of State.)
The license is granted in consultation with a specialist DEFRA Veterinary Surgeon.

You can also find information on this process from the Defra website.

We cannot accept an application for a zoo license unless you have

  • given us two months notice in writing, and
  • published a notice of intention in a local paper, and
  • published a notice of intention in a national paper, and
  • has exhibited a copy of the notice on the site of the intended zoo.

The notice must

  • identify the zoo address
  • list, number and identify the animals to be kept
  • identify staff numbers
  • give approximate numbers of visitors and cars likely to attend
  • give the number and positions of entrances and exits to the zoo
  • specify what conservation measures the zoo will impliment

Eligibility Criteria
You cannot have a license if you; any director, manager, secretary or similar officer of a corporate body; or any person employed as a keeper, have been convicted under  

  • the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 to 1964;
  • the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Acts 1912 to 1964;
  • the Pet Animals Act 1951;
  • the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963;
  • the Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970;
  • the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973;
  • the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976;
  • the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976.
  • Part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Or any other offence concerning animal cruelty

Application Evaluation Process
Before we can give a license there will be a detailed inspection by a specialist vet.

We also have to take account of any representation from:

  • the Police;
  • the Fire Authority;
  • the governing body of any national institution concerned with the operation of zoos;
  • the Planning Department
  • anyone who alleges that the zoo would harm health or safety of anyone living nearby;
  • anyone who may show grounds on which the authority has a power or duty to refuse to grant a license.

The application will cost £100 plus the Vets fees.
Licences are granted for 4 years with an annual local authority interim inspection.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within ten working days, please contact us. You can use the contact details above.

Application forms
You can print off a copy of the PDF file application form for a Zoo Licence (100KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help).

Refusal to Grant a license, or ‘unreasonable’ conditions imposed on a license
Please contact us to discuss why you have been refused a license, or if you think we have imposed an unreasonable condition.

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 license, or on conditions set on a license.

Trade Associations

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Page last updated on 25 May 2012