Apply to keep an animal for entertainment or education

When you need a performing animal licence

You need a licence from us if you run:

businesses that keep animals for exhibition, either for entertainment or education, this includes mobile animal exhibits that visit schools, weddings, private parties, fairs and other events where there's an audience
pony parties where people do not ride the ponies
businesses that keep animals for exhibition on electronic media, like animals used in film or TV
businesses that train animals for exhibition, either to an audience or on electronic media
a circus that uses domestic animals in its shows
any business based outside England that brings in an animal for exhibition, you must apply to the first authority where they'll be performing or where you keep the animals for the duration of their stay

You do not need a performing animal licence to:

organise the exhibition of animals that you do not own or train yourself, if you arrange the supply of animals for an exhibit you should make sure all keepers and trainers have a licence and follow the regulations
run animal shows where animals are on display, like Crufts
operate a registered charity that shows animals as part of their charitable work, unless they're doing it to make money
train or show animals for sporting purposes, like horse racing
show wild animals in a licensed circus
run a licensed zoo

Return your application form to:

Animal Wardens

Brighton & Hove City Council

2nd Floor Bartholomew House

Bartholomew Square

Brighton

BN1 1JP

You can also send an email to animalwardens@brighton-hove.gov.uk or phone 01273 294 266.