As of 1st October 2018, a licence is required for the following activity;

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

(a) to any audience attending in person, or

(b) by the recording of visual images of them by any form of technology that enables the display of such images."

 

The following do not require a licence;

(a) keeping or training animals solely for military, police or sporting purposes,

(b) any activity permitted under a licence to operate a travelling circus under the Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012, or

(c) any activity permitted under a licence for a zoo under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981

To make an application, complete the online form (see link at the side of the page - you can register with our website or use the "Guest" button, which does not require you to sign in).

Please note that an application for a licence renewal must be received more than 10 weeks before the current licence expires. Failure to do so may result in the licence not being renewed in time and, thus a period where the business can not operate.

Those who will require a licence and are currently registered under the Performing Animals Act 1925 have until 1st April 2019 to apply for a licence; those not registered will need to apply for a licence immediately.

Please contact us on 01962 848097 (or email eh@winchester.gov.uk) if you have any queries.

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 came into force on 1st October 2018. You must comply with all of the minimum standards in the guidance below to achieve a licence and as well as a physical inspection of the premises, evidence of all relevant paperwork and qualifications will need to be seen at your inspection;

Keeping or Training Animals For Exhibition

Click on the blue writing and it will link you to the appropriate website

The fees for 2024/25 (made in accordance with the Regulations) are £290 although, if a vet or expert is needed for the inspection, the cost will be borne by the applicant. It would be the decision of Winchester City Council as to whether a vet is required for the inspection.

Methods of Payment:

1. Credit/Debit card. Telephone 01962 848097 and your details will be taken.
2. Online. Use the blue Pay button on our home page. Choose Miscellaneous Payments. A new window appears. Choose Miscellaneous Payments again. Choose Animal Welfare from the list. Select the appropriate licence type and click on it. You are taken to an online form. Fill in the details and put the name of your premises in the message box. Use the continue button to move to the next page and make your payment.

Note: If you have trouble paying for your licence at the time of application, please contact us on 01962 848097

Appointed veterinary surgeons and practitioners, appropriately qualified local authority officers, or other competent persons authorised by the local authority may inspect licensed premises and any animals at such premises at any reasonable time. A veterinary inspector may be used if the animals being kept require specialist knowledge beyond that of the Council licensing inspector. Note that, if a veterinary surgeon or practitioner is required to attend an inspection, these charges will be passed on to the applicant in addition to the Council's licence fees.

There will normally only be one inspection for each licence granted but further inspections may be made to check that licence conditions have been complied with, if a complaint is received about the premises, or if there is any concern about the condition of the premises, or the welfare of an animal at the premises.

A licence will last for 3 years from the date that it is granted.

Unlicensed premises may also be inspected in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

A licence will be refused;

• If the applicant is under 18.
• If the applicant has been disqualified from holding an animal licence or keeping an animal, or has had a licence revoked under scetion 15 of the Regulations.
• If conditions of the licence are not met.

The applicant may appeal to a First tier Tribunal if the Council refuses to grant or renew a licence

A licence may be varied, suspended or revoked by the Council for the following reasons;

• the licence conditions are not being complied with
• there has been a breach of the Regulations
• the information supplied by the licensee is false or misleading, or
• it is necessary to protect the welfare of an animal.

Any significant change to the premises may require a variation to your licence. The licensee may request a variation or the Council can impose one. This will involve a small charge. Please contact us on eh@winchester.gov.uk if you think a variation may be needed.

The licensee may appeal to a First tier Tribunal if the Council has varied, suspended or revoked a licence.

 

There is a list on the right hand side of the page. The list is usually updated twice a year.