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Animal welfare permit; application
In accordance with Section 11 of the Animal Welfare Act, certain animal husbandry and activities on or with animals require permits that are linked to the reliability and expertise of the operator and to species-appropriate animal husbandry.
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Procedure details
Description
An animal welfare permit must be applied for from the district administrative authority responsible for the applicant (district office).
An animal welfare permit in accordance with Section 11 of the Animal Welfare Act is required in the following cases in particular:
- Breeding and keeping vertebrate animals for experimental purposes and similar activities,
- Keeping animals in an animal shelter or similar facilities,
- zoos or other facilities for the exhibition of animals,
- Moving or importing vertebrate animals (except farm animals) into Germany for the purpose of selling them for a fee or other consideration or brokering such animals
- Training of guard dogs for third parties (incl. maintenance of facilities for this purpose),
- Commercial training of dogs for third parties or commercial instruction of the training of dogs by the animal owner
- Organization of animal fairs,
- commercial animal breeding and keeping (exception: farm animals),
- commercial trade in animals,
- commercial operation of a riding and driving business,
- commercial display of animals,
- commercial pest control of vertebrates.
The granting of an animal welfare permit is a prerequisite for operating a facility requiring a permit or starting an activity requiring a permit. It is therefore of a preventative nature to protect the animals concerned.
Depending on the circumstances, further permits may be required, e.g. approval as an animal transporter or livestock dealer, building permit(s), approval of animal experiments (issued by the governments of Upper Bavaria and Lower Franconia), species protection permits; it is therefore advisable to enquire with the competent district administrative authority.
Requirements
- required expertise for the respective activity
- suitable facilities and premises
- personal reliability
- Possibly use of suitable substances
The exact requirements depend on the individual case.
Required documents
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Proof of eligibility by means of declarations, certificates of previous activities or professional qualifications
- Certificates of competence
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Certificate of good conduct
as proof of reliability
Fees
Fees: EUR 5 - 25,000 (depending on the individual case) plus expenses
Legal bases
Appeal
Administrative court action
Related issues
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Dangerous wild animals; application for a permit for non-commercial keepingIf you want to keep a dangerous animal of a wild species privately, you need a permit from the municipality.
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Animal show, animal exhibition, animal fair; notification or application for a permitAnimal shows, animal exhibitions, animal fairs and other animal events must be reported to or approved by the local district administrative authority.
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Housing conditions contrary to animal welfare; notificationAccording to the Animal Welfare Act, animals must be fed, cared for and housed in a manner appropriate to their species and needs.
Status: 20.03.2025
Editorial responsibility Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz
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