Zoo Permit
A zoo permit (dierentuinvergunning) is a permit required for operating a zoo or a location where multiple wild or rare animals are kept. The permit is required to ensure that animals in zoos are kept and cared for in a responsible manner.
The permit is issued by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, RVO) based on the Decree on Animal Keepers (Besluit houders van dieren). Operators of zoos, animal parks, or other institutions that keep multiple wild or rare animal species must apply for this permit.
Requirements
- Type of animals: Multiple wild or rare animals not on the domestic and hobby animal list
- Facilities: Adequate housing and facilities for the welfare of the animals
- Expertise: Sufficient expert caretakers and veterinarians
- Safety: Measures to ensure visitor safety and prevent animal escape
- Education: In many cases also educational function or contribution to nature conservation
Procedure
- Application: Submit a permit application to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)
- Assessment: RVO assesses whether the zoo meets the requirements of the Decree on Animal Keepers
- Inspection: An inspection of the facilities may be part of the assessment
- Decision: After approval, the zoo permit is issued
Special Notes
- Domestic and hobby animal list: Mammals must be on the domestic and hobby animal list, unless it is a zoo
- Deer park exception: Fallow deer and red deer may be kept even though they are not on the list
- Existing animals: Animals owned before July 1, 2024 that are not on the list may be kept until their death