Our licences are designed to promote and ensure the welfare of animals offered for sale or otherwise used in commercial enterprises.
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 introduces an updated licensing system in England for five activities involving animals: selling animals as pets, providing for or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs, hiring out horses, dog breeding and keeping or training animals for exhibition. This licensing system will be enforced by local authorities, to ensure, at least minimum standards are maintained as required by the new legislation.
Existing license holders and anyone planning to apply for a licence should read the Regulations and guidance notes to fully understand your obligations and duties under the new Regulations and the licenses granted under these Regulations.
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 [209kb]
The Animal Activity Licensing Process Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities [5Mb]
Licensing of Dangerous Wild Animals [123kb]
Defra guidance:
- Hiring out Horses Statutory Guidance [5Mb]
- Selling Animals as Pets Licensing Statutory Guidance [18Mb]
- Keeping or Training Animals for Exhibition Licensing Statutory Guidance [5Mb]
- Dog Day Care Licensing Statutory Guidance [4Mb]
- Home Boarding for Dogs Licensing Statutory Guidance [5Mb]
- Dog Breeding Licensing Statutory Guidance [7Mb]
- Cat Boarding Licensing Statutory Guidance [5Mb]
- Dog Kennel Boarding Licensing Statutory Guidance [5Mb]
- DEFRA Boarding Franchise Guidance October 2018 [95kb]
- Dangerous Wild Animals Guidance note for applicants [88kb]
Applications can be downloaded below.
- Animal boarding application
- Breeding of dogs application
- Performing animals application
- Pet vending application
- Riding Establishments application
- Dangerous Wild Animals application
If you have any questions in the meantime please contact a member of the licensing team on 01476 406080.