This is to ensure that where private individuals keep dangerous wild animals they do so in circumstances which create no risk to the public and safeguard the welfare of the animals.

It does not include dangerous wild animals kept in a zoo, circus, pet shop, or registered for the purpose of experiments. You are still considered to be in possession of the animal, even if the animal escapes or is being transported.

Requirements

Specific conditions apply to the licensing of dangerous animals, including:

1. You must be at least 18 years old.
2. Requirements that the animals will not be moved from the licensed premises (unless allowed for in the licence).
3. The licence holder must be insured against liability.
4. Restrictions on the species and number of animals to be kept.

How to apply for a licence

You can download an application form or request it and apply for a licence by using these contact details:

North Lanarkshire Council
Protective Services
Station House 
950 Old Edinburgh Road 
Bellshill 
ML4 3FG

environmental-health@northlan.gov.uk

You can pay the application fee by debit or credit card. Call us on 01236 856361 to arrange this. We will not process applications until we receive the required fee.

Licensing inspection and processing of applications

We will contact you to agree a licensing inspection of your premises, following the application and payment of your licensing fees. Details provided to us will be checked for the eligibility criteria.

The licensing inspection will be carried out by an appointed specialist wildlife veterinarian and council animal health and welfare inspector.

You will be responsible for covering the fees of the appointed veterinarian attending the licensing inspection.

Your licence will be issued upon completion of a satisfactory licensing inspection that includes a written report issued by the veterinarian, passing the eligibility criteria and paying licensing and veterinary inspection fees.

The licence is valid till the end of the calendar year in which application was submitted.

It is in the public interest that we consider and process your application before it can be granted. We would expect to process your application within 28 working days. If you have not heard from us within this period, please contact us using the contact details above.

In the event you do not meet the licence conditions or decide not to go ahead, we will continue to seek recovery of all costs incurred. Licence fees are non-refundable. Application fees can be viewed on our Trading Standards webpage.