How to get a DWA license

[SiUK]

Originally Posted by carpy

right well i am now considering this, although mainly for inverts - specifically scorps. do identical protocols need to be implemented?

i was thinking of a setup where all scorps are held in a locked escape proof cabinet or vivarium - would this amount to the same as a locked excape proof room in the case of snakes for example?

tbhI would imagine that you would need a locked escape proof room, the vivs with the snakes in are obviously locked and the room is sealed as well, so id imagine its the same concept with scorpions, im not really sure though because although I keep scorps as well, being that the snakes were the primary creatures I set the room up specifically for them initially.

[Joe So]

This Thread has been really useful. anyone know where i can get further DWA info or training in Calderdale (Near leeds)?

[Demonsnapper]

cheers for all the info. im wanting a DWA but not till i am 40 and have a good size garage to house my caimen in. thanks for all the info on the DWL guys.

[leecb0]

Originally Posted by Joe So

This Thread has been really useful. anyone know where i can get further DWA info or training in Calderdale (Near leeds)?

ring your local authority they will give you more info.
usually its your envoroment health dept that deals with them

[Joe So]

Local authority is (Closed for christmas) untill the 30th
. I just wondered if anyone knew and mentors for hot sankes?

[leecb0]

Ill be honest i think you will be hard pushed to find a mentor out of the blue.
This might sound as if all venomous keepers are up themselves but think about this. We have to have public liability insurence also dwal holders have sunk thousands of pounds into building a secure room vivaria equipment and animals, now if we were to let someone with limited experience with venomous snakes who we dont know practice on our snakes, then we are possibly putting our own DWAL at risk which i am sure you can understand we are very reluctant to do. That said there are people who run courses on venomous snake handling, i know Rich at Shropshire reptiles has in the past, which may be of help to you and if you are that serious about getting a DWAL then it wont matter where it is in the country. Also you could try and find someone local to you who keeps DWA and get to know them and perhaps one day when they can trust you you may get a chance to help out.
I was lucky to have a bit of mentoring but i also used to treat everything as venomous for about 6 months before i applied and i had been keeping snakes 20 years.
hope this helps
Lee

[Joe So]

Yeah good point but I just thought I may come across abit of luck in the form of an experienced local mentor, not expecting random people to throw snakes at me just yet though =J. I plan on getting an agressive snake off someone i know to care for temporarily and treat as a hot snake, I think every bite mark will be a reminder of how serious acquisition of a DWA licence actually is.

[paulrimmer69]

if i were you id get in contact with your local council before you even think about a mentor, they may well have a list of requirements that you will need to carry out in order to obtain a license which can easily run into the thousands of pounds and thats not including the cost of the license and vet inspection, if you arrange a meeting to discuss what you plan to keep etc it will give you a rough idea of how easy/difficult it will be plus in my experience it makes relations with your licensing officer better

[weelad]

do you have to own your house ?

[leecb0]

Originally Posted by weelad

do you have to own your house ?

usually yes but if you are in private rented accomodation and you have permission off the landlord to convert a room or whatever into a snake room and also permission to keep DWA off them then there shouldnt be a problem but if you are in local authority you have very little chance