Licence - working with performing animals – registration requirements

What sort of authorisation do I need?

If you want to train performing animals in the Maidstone Borough for display to the public, you need a Performing Animal Registration from Maidstone Borough Council. You must abide by any conditions we apply to your registration.

Before applying to run a performing animal business, you will need to arrange for the appropriate Planning Consent or Change of Use Certificate to operate your premises for these purposes. Obtaining these can be a long process: we will not be able to process your application without copies of the appropriate planning permission.

You must apply to the Local Authority where your business is actually based, i.e. where your animals are housed and trained. If you wish to show your performing animals in the Maidstone Borough, but are based in another area, you must be able to show the appropriate registration from that Local Authority on request.

Legal Regulations

The training and display of performing animals is regulated under the Performing Animals (Regulations) Act 1925.

Am I eligible?

In assessing applications, we will consider very seriously any previous offences relating to the mistreatment of animals or negligence in the care of animals, or any evidence of such mistreatment or negligence.

Do I need to register?

Performing animals can be animals involved in a wide range of work and activity, including posing for photographs with the public. If you are in any doubt as to whether you will need a Performing Animal Registration to conduct your animal business, please contact us on 01622 602342.

If you display your animals at a zoo, but are hired by the zoo and not employed directly by it, it is your responsibility to arrange your registration. If you are part of the zoo’s staff, registration is still necessary for your animals to work, and the zoo should make arrangements to apply.

How much do licences cost?

The Performing Animals Licence fee for new licences is £70.

A certified Council’s veterinary report signed by a veterinary officer may also need to be arranged, depending on the nature of the animals you keep and your business. We will discuss this with you as part of our inspection. Please be aware that specialist veterinary fees (if you keep unusual or potentially dangerous animals) can be expensive.

If deemed appropriate, we will arrange the necessary veterinary inspection, and the veterinary officer will invoice you for the veterinary fees in due course.

If you already have arrangements in place with a reputable specialist veterinary practitioner who can complete a certified Council’s report, please contact us for advice on the required format.

What do I need to include with my application?

The application form will ask you for detailed information about the nature of the animals’ performance or work, and their training regime. We also need to see evidence that you have:

A detailed plan of your premises including all relevant features, such as emergency access, any public areas, animal accommodation, training and exercise areas, water and electricity access etc., and storage areas. If you need any advice on preparing these plans, please contact us.
A detailed register of any animals you intend to train and exhibit, with species, genders and numbers of animals
Public Liability Insurance to the value of at least £5,000,000
Employer’s Liability Insurance to the value of at least £5,000,000, if you employ any staff, including volunteers
Your planning certificates allowing you to use your premises exactly as you intend

We strongly recommend that you arrange appropriate insurance to fully cover your stock, including any possible expenditure on veterinary bills in the event of ill-health or accident.

Apply online for a new registration

You can apply for a performing animal registration online. You will be taken to an online payment facility at the end of your application to pay the appropriate fee. All of the above documents can be attached as scans/electronic copies, or alternatively, you can post hard copies to:

The Licensing Team, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6JQ.

Alternatively, please contact the Licensing Team on 01622 602727, and they will post you paper copies of the forms to fill in and return to us with a cheque for the appropriate fee. Please make cheques payable to Maidstone Borough Council.

Do I have to renew my registration?

Performing Animal Registrations do not need to be renewed, although you must keep us up to date with any changes to your business.

How do I apply to change my registration?

You can apply to change your performing animal registration online. If you have made any changes to your stock, your insurance, your certification or to the layout of your premises, you need to include copies of documents demonstrating this with your application as above.

If Environmental Enforcement or veterinary inspections are necessary, for example for a change of premises or stock, fees will apply as for a new application.

If you are only making minor administrative changes to your details, please contact us in the first instance, as there may be no charge.

You will be taken to a payment facility at the end of your application if a fee is liable – follow the instructions to make the fee payment.

Any substantial additions or changes to the layout of your premises may require Planning Permission. If this is so, we cannot proceed with your application unless a copy of the relevant consent is included.

What happens next?

Once everything has been received, your application will take 40 calendar days to process. During this time, we recommend you stay in touch, as we may need further information from you. We will contact you within 3-8 days of receiving your application to arrange a pre-inspection visit, which will take place within 10 days of receipt. A veterinary inspection will then be arranged if necessary.

The veterinary inspector will prepare a certified Council’s veterinary report, considering whether your premises are fit for purpose and appropriately maintained, and the condition of your animals. We will also consider your training methods and the daily routines of your animals.

In the interest of animal welfare and public safety,you may not operate your business until we have fully processed your registration. Likewise, for applications to change your registration, you may not consider your application successful until we confirm it. All inspections by duly authorised Council personnel, and a veterinary inspector (where applicable), must be carried out in full before you can proceed.

What happens if there is a problem with my application?

If we issue you with a notice that your application has failed, you may be able to appeal. What happens if I want to dispute the outcome of my application? gives information and advice on this.

If our officers or a police officer feel that animals have been subjected to cruelty, they may make a complaint to the local Magistrates' Court.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received from Maidstone Borough Council, you can view our complaints policy or make a complaint.

What do I do if I am concerned about an animal performance I have experienced?

General information for dissatisfied customers is also available in the What happens if I want to dispute the outcome of my application? document.

If you have seen something at a performing animal show or venue which gave you cause for concern over animal welfare or public safety please contact us immediately using the details to the right of the screen.