1. About a zoo licence
You will need a zoo licence if you'll be displaying exhibit animals to the public that are not normally domesticated in Great Britain.
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
Before you can apply for a licence you must tell us of your intention to apply.
You must give us at least two months' notice of your intention to apply before you can apply for a zoo licence. You can do this online.
In the notice you must give details about:
- where the zoo will be
- what kind of animals you're going to keep and how many
- how you'll house and care for the animals
- staff numbers and what they'll be doing
- expected visitor and vehicle numbers
- zoo entrance and exit points
- how you will meet conservation conditions
At the same time, you are required to:
- publish notice that you're intending to apply in at least one local and one national newspaper.
- display the notice at the planned zoo site
If you have completed the notification process you can then make your application.