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

Intention to apply

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.

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.

Apply for a zoo licence

If you are applying for a new licence, you can apply online.

The fee for a zoo licence can be found on our fees and charges page.

There will also be veterinary inspections costs and you will be invoiced separately for this.