Performing animals registration guidance notes

Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925

The Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925 requires that all persons who exhibit or train animals for public performance, must register with their local authority. Registered persons are given a certificate of registration.

The act does not apply to the training of animals for legitimate military, police, agricultural or sporting purposes or the exhibition of these animals in demonstration or similar events.

Conditions to the registration  

Any person registered under the Act must only train or exhibit those animals declared on the registration and in the manner declared on the registration.  

Any training or performance must be carried out without cruelty to any animal.

Applying for registration  

You can apply online, or your can download an application form, or you can contact us and ask for an application form to be sent to you.

The Trading Standards Service will check the application has been completed correctly before issuing the Certificate. Following our receipt of all appropriate information please allow 10 working days for the Certificate to arrive. If you have not heard anything by this time you can assume you are registered. This only applies where registration has been submitted electronically or you can show proof of delivery from a post office or recognised carrier.  

Registration cost  

An administration fee of £15 is charged per registration. Registration under The Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925 is not renewable and the registered person can keep that registration for life, unless their registration is suspended or cancelled by a court of law.  

Inspections relating to registration

Under the Act, the police and officers of local authorities, have power to enter premises where animals are being trained and exhibited and may request you to produce a Certificate of Registration. If cruelty or neglect is detected they may apply to the magistrates’ courts who can prohibit or restrict the training or exhibition of the animals and suspend or cancel the registration granted under the Act.  

Causing cruelty to animals during training or exhibition or failing to produce a certificate on request are offences under the Act. It is also an offence to obstruct an officer or to conceal an animal to avoid inspection.  

Viewing the register

A copy of the register is available on payment of the appropriate fee (£15) by contacting Trading Standards.

Contact

Telephone - 01772 533569

Postal address - Trading Standards Service, Room D21, County Hall, Pitt Street, Preston, PR1 0LD

Email - tsdo@lancashire.gov.uk

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