Game Farm Licence

Anyone in Nova Scotia who wants to keep, rear and sell wildlife species (other than deer, elk or furbearing animals).

Emus are only licenced if they are breeding. It is permitted to keep one or two Emu as pets without a Game Farming Licence.

Note: the farming of elk, deer and furbearing animals is covered by other licences administered by the Department of Agriculture.

Department of Agriculture

An application form can be obtained from the address above. The application form is to be completed and returned to the Department of Agriculture along with the appropriate fee.

Up to 10 business days

Provided that all the items that must accompany the application have been received.

This licence is valid for 1 year from the date it is issued. It can be renewed and the department will send out a renewal notice before it expires.

Initial application: $100.00 plus HST
Annual renewal fee: $10.00 plus HST

Pay by cheque or money order made out to the Minister of Finance.

• health certification of animals specific to the species in question
• housing facilities for the animals must be approved by staff of the department
• applicants should check with their municipality to be sure that the area is properly zoned

For elk and deer, refer to the Deer Farming Licence webpage.

For fur-bearing animals, refer to the Fur Farming Licence webpage.

This licence does not include hunting preserves.

Wildlife Import Permit and Wildlife Export Permit (except for pheasants and quail from a certified disease free hatchery) are administered by the Department of Natural Resources.

Captive Wildlife Permits are also issued by the Department of Natural Resources.

Wildlife Act, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989, Chapter 504, Section 49