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.