The keeping or training of animals used in the course of a business for educational or entertainment purposes is regulated under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) England Regulations 2018.
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.
Apply via post or email:
You can email your application and supplementary documents to EHealth@havant.gov.uk, or post them to Animal Welfare, Havant Borough Council, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, PO9 2AX. Once the team has confirmed receipt of your application, you will be contacted directly for payment of the application fee.
Please note that an application for a licence renewal must be received more than 12 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.
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. There will be a physical inspection of the premises, and evidence of all relevant paperwork and qualifications will need to be seen at your inspection.
You must read and understand the Government's statutory guidance.
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. 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.
Unlicensed premises may also be inspected in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
A licence will be refused;
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;
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 EHealth@havant.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.
The fees due for animal licences are reviewed every financial year, and vary depending on the type of licence. Please click here for a schedule of fees.
After submitting your application, you will be contacted to take the application fee, this will be prior to the inspection. After your inspection, and in order to issue your licence, you will need to pay the compliance fee. You may be subject to variable vet fees, depending on the licence.