Performing animals
Overview
If you want to exhibit, use or train performing animals in Southampton you will need to apply for a licence.
It does not apply to the training of animals for:
- Legitimate military, police, agricultural or sporting purposes
- Any activity as part of a licensed travelling circus
- Any activity as per of a licensed zoo
Requirements
You will need to give details of the animals and the performance they will be taking part in. If your application is approved you will be issued with a certificate confirming that you have the right to keep animals and use them in performances.
Any person licensed for keeping or training animals for exhibition will need to comply with the Animal Welfare (licensing of activities involving animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
- Animal Welfare ( Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) England Regulations
- Guidance for keeping or training animals for exhibition
Restrictions
Any training or performance must be carried out without cruelty to any animal.
If a complaint of cruelty is proven against you, you can:
- Be banned from exhibiting or training performing animals
- Have conditions imposed on your registration
- Lose your registration
You can be fined up to £2,500 if you exhibit or train any performing animal without being registered. You may also be banned from exhibiting or training performing animals.
Public register
Please contact us to view this register.
How to apply
Before you apply you will need to read both of these documents to ensure you can comply with all the licence conditions.
- Animal Welfare ( Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) England Regulations
- Guidance for keeping or training animals for exhibition
If you have read the guidance and want to apply for a licence please complete the application form.
We will confirm that we have received both your application and fee of £95.00.
Apply for a performing animals licence
Fees
The licence fee is £184.00.
Note: This fee is non-refundable
Paying the licence fee
You can make a Debit or Credit card payment online via the council's secure online payment service. You are not required to register to use this service. Your card must be registered for 3D Secure for the payment to be successful.
Before you make a payment
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself a couple of minutes to fill in the form.
You will need:
A payment card, Apple Pay or Google Pay*
How long will my application take?
We aim to determine applications within 28 days from receipt of a completed application, including payment. If we have been unable to determine your application in this time a licence will not automatically be granted due to animal welfare implications.
Change of circumstances
You must notify the Animal Welfare Wardens if there is any change of circumstances in relation your registration. This includes the surrendering of your registration or any other material change. A fee will be charged if a change requires a new registration to be issued.
Will Tacit Consent apply?
No. It is in the public interest that we must process your application before we can grant a registration. Please contact us if you have not heard from us within a reasonable period.
Guidance
Please read the guidance notes and regulations which provide more information.
