Zoo licence

At least two months before applying for a licence, you must let us know in writing that you plan to make the application. This must include:

• the zoo's location
• the types of animals and rough number of each group kept for show at the zoo and how they will be housed and looked after
• the rough numbers and roles of staff to be employed in the zoo
• the rough number of visitors and cars/vehicles expected
• the number and place of entrances to the zoo
• how conservation measures will be put in place.

At least two months before making the application, you must publish notice of your plans in at least one local and one national newspaper.

Apply online

• Send notification of your intention to operate a zoo
• Apply for a licence to operate a zoo
• Tell us about a change to your existing zoo licence

We will not grant the licence if we feel that the zoo would adversely affect the health or safety of people living at or near it, or seriously affect the preservation of law and order or if we are not satisfied that appropriate conservation measures would be satisfactorily implemented.

We may also refuse your application if:

• we are not satisfied that accommodation, staffing or management standards are suitable for the proper care and wellbeing of the animals or for the proper conduct of the zoo
• you, or if the you are applying on behalf of an incorporated company, the company or any of the company's directors, managers, secretaries or other similar officers, or a keeper in the zoo, has been convicted of any offence involving the ill-treatment of animals.

Applications to renew a licence will be considered no later than six months before the expiry of the existing licence.

The Secretary of State may direct us to attach one or more conditions to a licence.

We may advise the Secretary of State that, because of the small number of animals kept in the zoo or the small number of the kinds of animal kept there, a direction should be made that a licence is not required.

The cost of the licence is £625. You will also have to pay any vet fees.

If you wish to appeal against our decision you may do so to a magistrate. You must appeal within 21 days of the date you received the decision in writing.

You should contact us in the first instance.