Animal training or exhibition licences
If you keep or train animals as a business for the following reasons, you will need a licence under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
- For live educational or entertainment performances
- For photographed, filmed or recorded educational or entertainment performances
Keeping or training animals for exhibition licences are valid for three years.
In order to secure an animal exhibition licence, your business must meet the conditions in the legislation and the guidance set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA):
- General conditions (Schedule 2 of the legislation)
- Specific conditions for keeping or training animals for exhibition (Schedule 7 of the legislation)
- DEFRA guidance notes
A Council officer or vet may inspect your premises before giving you a licence, and any time after the licence is granted. Some visits will be unannounced as required by the legislation.
The more conditions you meet, the better chance you have of being granted a longer licence.
Apply for an animal exhibition licence
To apply for an animal exhibition licence, please complete the following steps:
- Read the legislation
- Check the list of people who cannot apply for a licence (Regulation 11)
- Read the specific DEFRA guidance notes issued for your licence
- Check the licence fee using our fees table
- Fill out our Animal Licence application form online and pay
We will take the full payment when you apply. If your licence is not granted, part of your licence fee will be refunded to you.
Vary a licence
If you wish to vary your licence, please email publichealth.licensing@horsham.gov.uk giving full details.
If you breach your animal exhibition licence or stage a performance without one, you could be fined.
If you stop or delay an inspection your licence can be taken away and you could be banned from applying for a new one.
For more details, please read the legislation.