We provide licences for people who privately keep
dangerous wild animals.
Anyone who privately keeps an animal as defined by
the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 must apply for a licence.
The act defines a dangerous species as being one which is not
commonly domesticated within the British Isles and whose
fully-grown characteristics are likely to cause severe damage
unless they are restrained.
A full list is available
from Department for Food, Environment
and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) but they include some
spiders and snakes as well as camels, ostriches and
crocodiles.
This licence is not needed for zoos, circuses,
pet shops or
anywhere registered under the Cruelty to Animals Act.
To apply download and fill in our
dangerous and wild animals licence application
form.
For details of costs visit our
fees and charges page.
Those applying for the licence should be the animal's
keeper and must be aged 18 or over.
They should take out insurance against liability for any damage
caused by the animal and will be responsible under the terms of the
licence even if the animal escapes or is being transported.
Licences are issued annually after the fee is received and a
satisfactory report has been carried out by a veterinary
surgeon.
We must also be satisfied that the animal poses no risk to
public safety and will not cause a public nuisance.
The animal's accommodation must be secure, ventilated, well-lit,
clean with a suitable temperature and enough space for it to
exercise.
We also ensure precautions are taken to stop the spread of
disease among animals and that suitable fire and emergency
procedures are in place.
For more information contact our
Food and Safety
team.
