The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (1981 c. 37) was an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom.
The main effect of the Act was to regulate zoos by requiring them to be licensed by local authorities. The Act did not extend to circuses or pet shops. The Act does not extend to Northern Ireland.
Famous quotes containing the words zoo and/or act:
“The zoo cannot but disappoint. The public purpose of zoos is to offer visitors the opportunity of looking at animals. Yet nowhere in a zoo can a stranger encounter the look of an animal. At the most, the animal’s gaze flickers and passes on. They look sideways. They look blindly beyond.”
—John Berger (b. 1926)
“But the whim we have of happiness is somewhat thus. By certain valuations, and averages, of our own striking, we come upon some sort of average terrestrial lot; this we fancy belongs to us by nature, and of indefeasible rights. It is simple payment of our wages, of our deserts; requires neither thanks nor complaint.... Foolish soul! What act of legislature was there that thou shouldst be happy? A little while ago thou hadst no right to be at all.”
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881)