Animal licensing

You will need to register with us for keeping or training animals for exhibition.

This includes performance in a:

• circus
• television or film production
• theatre performance

It does not apply to the training of animals for legitimate military, police, agricultural or sporting purposes or the exhibition of these animals in demonstration or similar events.

Apply for registration

The form below can be used to apply for different types of animal welfare licences and registration.

To apply for a performing animals registration, you must complete sections 1, 6 and 7.

The completed form and relevant documents can be emailed to us at the address below.

Fees

For details of current fees, go to our animal licensing fees page.

Registration conditions

For government guidance on applying and the conditions you'll need to meet, go to GOV.UK: Keeping or training animals for exhibition.

To read the government's guidance for licensing authorities, go to GOV.UK: Animal activities licensing – statutory guidance for local authorities.

Check a registration

You can check whether a performing animal is registered with us.

Search licensing records

Making a complaint

Contact us if you have reason to complain about an animal registered for exhibition that we have licensed. You should tell us:

• your name and contact phone number
• details of the animal you wish to complain about
• details of what your complaint or problem is

All complaints are dealt with in the strictest confidence and your details will not be released, but are required for us to contact you for further details.