How to apply for a licence to keep or train animals for exhibition.
Licence summary
You'll need a licence if you keep or train animals for exhibition. This can be for entertainment or educational purposes, to an audience or via electronic media.
The licence includes animals used in:
- theatre
- films or TV
- a circus if they're domestic, such as cats and dogs
- mobile animal exhibits that visit schools
- weddings or private parties
- fairs
- pony parties where the ponies are not ridden
- other events where an audience is present
A local authority may authorise an officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner to inspect licensed premises.
Licence guidance
If you're based outside England
If you're based outside of England and you want to bring in an animal for exhibition, you'll also need a licence.
You should get a licence from Bristol City Council if the animals will be:
- performing in Bristol
- in Bristol for most of their stay
If the animals aren't performing or staying in Bristol you'll need to get a licence from the local authority where they'll be.
Regulation summary
A summary of the regulation relating to this licence
Eligibility criteria
An applicant must not be disqualified from any of the following at the time of the application:
- a person listed as a disqualified person in paragraph 4 or any of paragraphs 6 to 17 of Schedule 8 (see legislation above) where the time limit for any appeal has expired or where the appeal was refused
- any person listed in any of paragraphs 1 to 3 and 5 of Schedule 8 (see legislation above) as having held a licence which was revoked where the time limit for any appeal against that revocation has expired or the appeal was refused.
Apply for a licence
Contact us before you make your application, so we can talk to you about your proposal and the fees:
- phone 0117 922 2500, option 2
- email animal.health@bristol.gov.uk
An Animal Health Inspector will then contact you to give you advice on your application.
The application fee is £87. The licence fee is £206 (per year) plus veterinary fees.
The application form is a PDF that you'll need to save before you can edit.
Apply for a licence for the exhibition or training of performing animals on GOV.UK
Information about the licensing of animal activities is available on the Business Companion website.
All licences granted for this activity will be in place for a period of no more than 3 years.
List of licensed businesses
Find a pdf list of businesses licensed to keep or train animals for exhibition (117 KB) .
Consumer complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you , preferably by letter (with proof of delivery).
If that's not worked:
- if you're in the UK, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service
- from outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre