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Zoo Licence

This information is provided by Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO

Nederlandse versie

Do you want to keep wild animals in a zoo in the Netherlands? You must ensure good care and housing. You will need a licence to run a zoo. You apply for a zoo licence (in Dutch) to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. This alo applies to for instance:

  • butterfly gardens
  • bird parks
  • petting zoos with protected species
  • nature information/visitors centres

When is a zoo licence mandatory?

A zoo licence is mandatory if you:

  • keep protected animal species
  • keep more than 10 species of wild animals
  • care for or shelter protected or wild and/or protected animals for longer than 12 months
  • show these animals to the public at least 7 days per year

You must meet requirements regarding housing, animal care, registration of animals, and working methods to be eligible for a zoo licence. Specific conditions for supplying information to the public apply as well. You submit your application for a zoo licence to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO, in Dutch).

Online application procedure via Message Box

You can apply for a zoo licence also via Message Box. Message Box is a secure email system that enables you as an entrepreneur to exchange digital messages with Dutch government agencies.

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This information is provided by

Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO
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