Scotland - Apply for Zoo License

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Procedure

Apply In-Person:

1. To Apply for Zoo License, the applicant must approach their respective Local Council in Scotland link

Note: The applicant must select their Local council from the drop-down menu. The applicant must write to your council at least 2 months’ notice before applying.

1. An application form will be provided to the applicant by the concerned officer.
2. The applicant must fill in all the necessary details in the application form. (Incomplete applications are not accepted)
3. Make sure that the applicant has attached all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
4. The applicant must attach the photocopies of the required documents along with the application form while submitting.
5. Submit all the documents with the completed form to the concerned officer.
6. The applicant must pay the prescribed fee as requested by the authority.
7. After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. If all are in place, the application will be accepted.
8. All applications are processed within a reasonable time, having regard to the circumstances of each application, including the completeness of information and documents submitted to the authority by the applicant.
9. The authority may seek additional information from an applicant if this is necessary to assess the application. The authority does not need to deal further with an application until the applicant has provided this additional information.
10. The local authority will assess your application and decide whether to grant you a license. Also, the local council will inspect the premises regarding the safety standards.
11. The applicant will get at least 28 days’ notice before the inspection.
12. Once the application meets all the eligibility requirements the authority will issue the license.
13. After the inspection the council might attach conditions to your licence, eg that you’ll need to get insurance for any damage caused by the animals.
14. If the applicant get a licence the zoo will be inspected regularly to make sure the applicant following these conditions.
15. This entire process can be completed within 60 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

Note:

1. The applicant must keep records on animal health, numbers and species, acquisitions, births, deaths (with causes), disposals and escapes.
2. The applicant could get a fine of up to £2,500 if you run a zoo without a licence or don’t follow the conditions of a licence.

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Required Documents

• A completed application forms
• A detailed business plan for the zoo.
• A site plan for the zoo, showing the layout of the enclosures, buildings, and other facilities.
• A risk assessment for the zoo, identifying and assessing any potential risks to the public, the animals, or the environment.
• A financial plan for the zoo, showing how you will fund the operation of the zoo.
• A copy of public liability insurance.
• A copy of planning permission for the zoo (if required).
• A copy of any other relevant licenses or permits (e.g., a Dangerous Wild Animals license).

Office Locations & Contacts

SCOTLAND LOCAL COUNCIL


Scottish Government Licensing Team
Area GW14
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Local Council – link
Note: The applicant must select their Local council from the drop-down menu.

Eligibility

The eligibility to apply for zoo license the applicant must,

• Help educate people about biodiversity
• Be suitable for the types of animals you’re keeping
• Have a high standard of animal care
• Do as much as possible to stop any animals escaping
• Stop pests and vermin getting into the zoo

The applicant must also do at least 1 of the following:

• Conservation research or training
• Sharing conservation information
• Captive animal breeding
• Helping repopulate or reintroduce species into the wild

Fees

• The applicant must pay the prescribed fee as requested by the authority. The fee may vary depending on the local council and the size and type of zoo. Because each council has their own set of rules and regulations.

Validity

• The validity period of a zoo license is 3 years and renewed before six month of expiry.

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• This entire process can be completed within 60 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• Applicants must complete the application form before submitting it. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Applicants must provide genuine information while applying for this procedure.

The applicant must make sure the zoo would not affect:

• The health and safety of local people
• Local law and order
• The animals’ well-being

Required Information

• Name of the local council
• Name of the applicant
• Address
• Email
• Telephone
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Name of the zoo
• Where the zoo will be
• What kind of animals going to keep and how many
• How the applicant will house and care for the animals
• Staff numbers and what they will be doing
• Expected visitor and vehicle numbers
• Zoo entrance and exit points
• How the applicant will meet the conservation conditions

Need for the Document

• A zoo license in Scotland is a permit that is required to operate a zoo in the country. The purpose of the zoo license is to ensure that zoos are operated in a way that is safe for the public, the animals, and the environment. The license also helps to ensure that zoos meet high standards of animal welfare and conservation.

Information which might help

The zoo license is subject to a number of conditions, including conditions relating to the following:

• The type of zoo
• The species of animals that can be kept
• The number of animals that can be kept
• The housing and care of the animals
• The conservation conditions of the license

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

• For more information - link

Others

• A zoo is a facility in which animals are kept within enclosures for public exhibition and often bred for conservation purposes. Zoo contains wide varieties of animals that are native to all parts of the Earth. Some zoos specialize types of animals, such as mammals, birds, or reptiles. Others may have a more general collection of animals.