Exhibiting animals

Check if you need a licence

You need a licence if your business keeps or trains animals for exhibition for education or entertainment. This is both for an in-person audience or for recording images of the animals to play to people using any technology. 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
• animals used in films or TV
• exhibiting domestic animals in a circus
• any business based outside of England that brings in an animal for exhibition – you must apply to the first authority in which you'll be performing or where the animals are to be kept for their whole stay

You do not need a licence if:

• you're an agent who organises the exhibition of animals, but do not own or train them yourself – you must ensure all keepers and trainers are licenced and comply with the regulations
• you run animal shows where animals are exhibited, for example animal trade shows – individuals exhibiting animals and getting a fee for doing so will need to have a licence
• you're a registered charity exhibiting animals as part of your charitable work – unless you run this part of your operations as a commercial activity
• you're training or exhibiting animals for sport, for example, horse racing and greyhound racing
• you exhibit wild animals within a licenced circus
• you run a licenced zoo

Find out more about the standards and conditions for exhibiting animals on GOV.UK

Apply for a licence

For a new licence or to renew a licence, complete an application form (ODT, 47KB). Send it to us using the details at the bottom of this page, along with any supporting documentation.

You must submit a renewal application at least 12 weeks before the licence expires. This is so we can access your application and carry out any inspections in time for the licenced activity to continue without a break.

We also recommend you check if you need planning permission for your business.  

Fees

Barrow area

For both new applications and renewals the total fee is £278 plus vet fees. This is made up of a
£166 application fee and a £112 grant fee.

In the Barrow area, you can pay for your application online.

Eden area

The application fee for a new licence is £52 and £45.50 for a licence renewal, which you must pay when you apply. Before we issue your licence we'll send you an invoice for an additional fee for the initial inspection and risk assessment. This fee is determined from the inspecting officer’s admin and inspection time at a rate of £48 per hour. There may also be an additional vet inspection fee, if appropriate.

You can pay the fee by calling 0300 373 3300 using payment code: E03042 E8001 and your name and business name as the reference. Alternatively, you can send a cheque by post using the details at the bottom of this page or at the reception at Voreda House.

South Lakeland area

New applications are £260 and renewals are £224 plus vet fees.

When we get your application, we’ll either contact you to take the payment by card or send you an email with the details you need to make a payment.

Visit to your premises

Before we issue a licence, an officer will arrange to visit your premises to inspect your business. This is to see how you look after the animals in your care. We’ll establish if your business can comply with the conditions attached to the licence and assess you to ensure you’re a fit and proper person to carry out the licensable activities. For example, you need a good understanding of the risks involved in the care of the animals and will have to show extensive risk assessments, written policies and procedures during the inspection.

A veterinary inspection may also be carried out for which you'll need to pay an additional fee.

Following the visit, if your application is successful we'll issue a licence for three years.

Contact our Licensing Team