Schedule 1 of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 defines Keeping or Training animals for exhibition in the following way:

Keeping or training animals for exhibition in the course of a business for educational or entertainment purposes:

1. to any audience attending in person, or
2. by the recording of visual images of them by any form of technology that enables the display of such images.

Further information

• Animal Welfare Regulations 2018
• A full list of the general and specific conditions

In scope

This would include:

• businesses which keep animals for exhibition, either for entertainment or educational purposes.  This includes mobile animal exhibits that visit schools, weddings, private parties, fairs and other events where an audience is present
• pony parties where the ponies are not ridden
• businesses that keep or train animals for use in film or TV
• exhibiting domestic animals in a circus

Out of scope

This would include:

• agents who organise for the exhibition of animals, but who do not own or train them themselves and thus have limited or no contact with the animals
• animal shows where animals are exhibited (e.g. Crufts, animal trade shows etc.)
• training or exhibiting animals for military or police purposes

Regulation

"Sufficient numbers of people who are competent for the purpose must be available to provide a level of care that ensures that the welfare needs of all the animals are met.”

“The animals must be trained by competent staff and given suitable and adequate opportunities to become habituated to being exhibited, using positive reinforcement.”

Competence can be demonstrated by holding an appropriate qualification, but can also be demonstrated through suitable experience or training.

• A list of the general and specific conditions for the keeping and training of animals for exhibition.
• The Guidance notes for the general and specific conditions for the keeping and training of animals for exhibition.

New applications

Before any Animal Activity Licence is issued Warwick District Council must:

• Consider the current and previous conduct of the applicant to determine whether they are a fit and proper person to carry out the licensable activity
• Inspect the proposed site to assess if it is likely to meet the licence conditions (in some cases this may require a veterinarian to be present as well as the Local Authority Inspector)
• Consider the contents and recommendations of the inspectors report
• Ensure that the correct application form and fee have been received

This Animal Activity Licence lasts for 3 years.

Renewing a licence

Warwick District Council should advise each licence holder that their licence needs to be renewed 3 months before the current licence expires.  The licence holder must apply for a renewal licence at least 10 weeks before their current licence expires, if they wish to continue to operate the licensable activity without a break.  An inspection of the premises must be completed before a licence can be renewed.

The application form is available below in an editable word format or in a PDF format.  Applications can be made via email, post or via phone during normal working hours.

• Animal exhibition application form (word)
• Animal exhibition application form (pdf)
• Pay online - Application Fee
• Pay online - Licence Fee

Fees

The application fee for the training and exhibition of animals is currently £305.

The 3 year licence fee is payable upon the granting of the licence and is currently £152

Will tacit consent apply?

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted.