Dangerous wild animals

Licence to keep dangerous wild animals

You need a licence to keep some dangerous wild animals. These include:

• Wild cats
• Primates
• Wild dogs, such as wolves
• Certain pigs, such as wild boar
• Marsupials

You can find a list of wild animals that you need a licence for on the government's legislation website, under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 . You may also need a licence for some hybrid or cross-breed animals.

Applying for a new licence

To apply for a new licence, please complete our dangerous wild animals application form and send it to us.  

New licence fees

*a veterinary inspection fee is also payable for new dangerous wild animal licences, please contact us for further details.

The application fee is payable at the time of application, and is non-refundable.

If you apply for more than one licensable activity at the same time, you only need to pay the application and enforcement fee once. You can then pay a £50 fee for each additional activity.

If you do this, the higher application or enforcement fee will apply as the main activity, and the lower priced activity will be charged at the additional £50 fee.

This only applies when you apply for or renew all licences at the same time. If you don’t apply at the same time, you will need to pay the separate application and enforcement fees for each activity.

Renewing your licence

While we will try to contact you before your licence is due to expire, you are responsible for making sure that you apply to renew. You will need to submit your completed dangerous wild animals application form at least 10 weeks before your existing licence expires.  

Renewal fees

*a veterinary inspection fee is also payable for new dangerous wild animal licences, please contact us for further details.

The application fee is payable at the time of application, and is non-refundable.

If you renew more than one licensable activity at the same time, you only need to pay the application and enforcement fee once. You can then pay a £50 fee for each additional activity.

If you do this, the higher application or enforcement fee will apply as the main activity, and the lower priced activity will be charged at the additional £50 fee.

This only applies when you apply for or renew all licences at the same time. If you don’t apply at the same time, you will need to pay the separate application and enforcement fees for each activity.

Additional fees for these licences

• Application for re-rating or major variation - £140.00
• Minor variation - £20.00
• Additional copy of licence - £6.90

For more information, please contact us using the contact details below.

Current licences

View a list of current animal activity licences and their star rating.