Guidance

Keeping or training animals for exhibition licence (England)

How to get a licence to keep animals for exhibition, and the conditions you'll need to meet.

Applies to England

Contact your local council to apply for a licence to keep or train animals for exhibition in England. For example you’ll need one if the animals are:

  • exhibited for educational or entertainment purposes, such as in schools or at parties
  • used in any TV, film or theatre production

You do not need a licence if you train or exhibit animals for use by the military or police, or for sport.

The licence is valid for 3 years and your local council decides the cost of the licence.

Conditions

The council will inspect your premises before giving you a licence. They may carry out additional inspections at any time after it’s granted.

You’ll need to show the council that you can meet the licence conditions, for example by showing that the animals are:

  • kept in suitable accommodation
  • given adequate food and water
  • visited and exercised regularly
  • protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease
  • protected in case of an emergency, like a fire
  • looked after by people who are trained to care for the animals

You’ll also need to:

  • keep any records ready for inspection, for example details of the animals, like how they’ll be exhibited and when
  • display the licence clearly on the premises

During an inspection

A local authority officer may:

  • enter any premises where performing or exhibiting animals are kept
  • inspect the premises to check that the animals are kept in suitable conditions that meet health, welfare and safety standards
  • ask you to produce your licence

Restrictions

You will not get a licence if you’ve committed an animal welfare offence or if you’ve been banned from:

  • hiring out horses
  • selling pets
  • boarding cats or dogs
  • breeding dogs
  • keeping or training animals for exhibition

You may not get a licence if you’ve committed other offences. Check with your local council.

Fines and penalties

If you keep or train animals for exhibition without a licence you could be imprisoned for up to 6 months or receive an unlimited fined. If you break the conditions of your licence, you could receive an unlimited fine.

Updates to this page

Published 4 November 2020

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