Setting up an animal park - licensing and other info?

[bampoisongirl]

Hey, myself and my mum as well as other family members are in talks about settting up our own kind of animal park, we are just wondering what kind of licenses etc that you need to do this? We wouldn't be selling any animals on site, and we would have a cafe as well. We are also thinking of setting up some kind of dog park with it, where visitors can leave their dogs whilst they go inside.

Thanks, Jenn

[Athravan]

You will need a zoo license if you intend to allow members of the pulic to view the animals on a regular basis.

It's seperate to pet shop licenses and nothing to do with the sale of animals, it's the Zoo Licensing Act of 1981 you want to research, which states you need a license if you are a "zoo", defined as

"[as] an establishment where wild animals are kept for exhibition to the public otherwise than for the purposes of a circus and otherwise than as a pet shop; and this Act applies to any zoo to which members of the public have access, with or without charge for admission, on more than seven days in any period of 12 consecutive months".

The more than 7 days in any period means that some rescues and private centers can have "open days" and not need a zoo license, however anyone who's open to the public more than 7 days an any 12 months requires one.


There is a lot of debate at the moment as more and more charities and rescues are being threatened to be closed down without a zoo license, even though people do not pay entry, see this news article for example BBC News - Zoo licence row closes Cornwall tortoise sanctuary, but a similar thing is happening to an Owl Sanctuary I believe.



There is more information on the ZL here Defra, UK - : Wildlife Protection - Zoos - Zoo licensing act 1981


But like the PSL the zoo license is ultimately issued and regulated by your local council so it's them you will need to speak to in regards to costs, inspections, and so on.

[bampoisongirl]

Originally Posted by Athravan

You will need a zoo license if you intend to allow members of the pulic to view the animals on a regular basis.

It's seperate to pet shop licenses and nothing to do with the sale of animals, it's the Zoo Licensing Act of 1981 you want to research, which states you need a license if you are a "zoo", defined as


The more than 7 days in any period means that some rescues and private centers can have "open days" and not need a zoo license, however anyone who's open to the public more than 7 days an any 12 months requires one.


There is a lot of debate at the moment as more and more charities and rescues are being threatened to be closed down without a zoo license, even though people do not pay entry, see this news article for example BBC News - Zoo licence row closes Cornwall tortoise sanctuary, but a similar thing is happening to an Owl Sanctuary I believe.


There is more information on the ZL here Defra, UK - : Wildlife Protection - Zoos - Zoo licensing act 1981


But like the PSL the zoo license is ultimately issued and regulated by your local council so it's them you will need to speak to in regards to costs, inspections, and so on.

Thanks very much, is it the same as PSL in that the cost of the licence varies from county to county? It's such a shame about the confusion over charities and sanctuaries.

Thanks, Jenn

[337smile]

As above, you definitely need a zoo licence and public liability insurance too. I handled a zoo licence application for an animal park I was working on three years back. The difficulty of the application is dependant on how helpful your local council is.

From what I recall the application consisted of several sections including listing proposed animal species, how they will be cared for and housed, opening times, land maps and plans, veterinary care, security amongst others. A DEFRA officer, vet and environmental health officer came and did an inspection.

[337smile]

Originally Posted by bampoisongirl

Thanks very much, is it the same as PSL in that the cost of the licence varies from county to county? It's such a shame about the confusion over charities and sanctuaries.

Thanks, Jenn

Yes it varies. Many counties have never done one before and aren't sure how to deal with it. Good luck!

[Athravan]

I have to be honest I have no idea of the costs, I imagine it does vary - but I can't imagine there are many applications for new zoos so councils don't tend to list the forms as standard.

This council website has a very good outline of what will happen if you want to apply for a ZL

Zoo Licence

As you can read from that it is quite a lot of inspections and hoops to jump through!

[337smile]

I remember the advert in the national paper was one of the most expensive parts!

[bampoisongirl]

Originally Posted by 337smile

As above, you definitely need a zoo licence and public liability insurance too. I handled a zoo licence application for an animal park I was working on three years back. The difficulty of the application is dependant on how helpful your local council is.

From what I recall the application consisted of several sections including listing proposed animal species, how they will be cared for and housed, opening times, land maps and plans, veterinary care, security amongst others. A DEFRA officer, vet and environmental health officer came and did an inspection.

Well there is already quite a large zoo that is in the county so the council have dealt with it before, hopefully this will help things along a little. A lot of paperwork then lol

Originally Posted by Athravan

I have to be honest I have no idea of the costs, I imagine it does vary - but I can't imagine there are many applications for new zoos so councils don't tend to list the forms as standard.

This council website has a very good outline of what will happen if you want to apply for a ZL

Zoo Licence

As you can read from that it is quite a lot of inspections and hoops to jump through!

Righty ho, thanks again, I'll have a look at that website now

[Zak]

Zoo licenses are in the £1000's. Thens there public liability insurance, risk assessments for the entire facility, fire assessments, food safety check if you want to sell food ie cafe and so on before you even hit the animal side of it. Then theres overheads, food costs, acquiring animals, vets, advertising and so on.

At the end of the day a zoo is a business, albeit a business involving animals. I wouldnt approach a project like this without 3 year business plans and my bank manager happy to lend be a few £1,000,000.

Really all the best with it and keep us informed.

[xxstaggyxx]

you could start really small and kind of have a indoor aminmal zoo for reptiles small mammals ect and do breeding programs of rare wildlife ect and grow from there but then again i have no idea on these things