Licence summary
If you have a business that involves animals you may need a licence.
New Regulations came into force on 1 October 2018 which introduced an updated licensing system in England for the following five activities involving animals:
| 1. | Selling animals as pets |
Selling animals as pets (or with a view to their being later resold as pets) as a business. Keeping animals as a business, with a view to their being sold or resold. |
| 2. | Providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats and dogs |
Providing or arranging for the provision of accommodation for other people's cats or dogs as a business on any premises where providing that accommodation is a purpose of the business by providing:
|
| 3. | Dog breeding |
Breeding three or more litters of puppies in any 12 month period. Breeding dogs and advertising a business of selling dogs. |
| 4. | Hiring out horses for riding or instruction |
Hiring out horses in the course of a business for either riding, riding instruction, or both. |
| 5. | Keeping or training animals for exhibition |
Keeping or training animals for exhibition, in the course of a business, for educational or entertainment purposes:
|
New provisions
The new Regulations have also introduced:
- a one-licence system whereby each of the five activities listed above is a licensable activity - operators may apply for multiple licensable activities on a single licence
- a new 'star rating' scheme, ranging from one to five stars, assessed according to the risk and welfare standards at the premises
- licence periods of up to three years, linked to the star rating given to the premises.
| 1 star | Low or high risk with minor failings - will be given a one-year licence |
| 2 stars | High risk but meeting minimum welfare standards - will be given a one-year licence |
| 3 stars | Low risk and meeting minimum welfare standards - will be given a two-year licence |
| 4 stars | High risk but meeting higher welfare standards - will be given a two-year licence |
| 5 stars | Low risk and meeting higher welfare standards - will be given a three-year licence |
Establishments will be visited unannounced at least once during the licence period.
Existing licence holders
Existing licence holders and anyone who plans to apply for a new licence should read the new 2018 Regulations and the statutory guidance notes to fully understand your obligations and duties under the new Regulations. Links to the guidance notes can be found at the bottom of this page, under Related Links.
Renewal licence
Animal Licence Renewal Application [PDF, 0.3MB]
Applying for a new licence
Before making your application you must read the guidance and conditions relevant to your chosen activity to make sure you can meet the requirements. You must also ensure you have obtained suitable planning permission - you will need to provide evidence of this when you apply.
Apply for a Licence [DOCX, 0.1MB]
Inspections
All premises will be inspected before a licence is granted. If you are applying for a licence for dog breeding or hiring of horses you will also need to pay for an inspection carried out by a vet.
The inspection allows officers to give each premises a 'risk rating' that determines the length of the licence (one to three years) and the 'star rating'. Low-risk premises can get up to five stars and premises assessed as higher risk can be awarded up to four stars. If the applicant is not satisfied with the rating, they can make improvements to address any highlighted issues and ask for a re-inspection.
Fees
Type of Licence |
Fee Type |
1 Year |
2 Year |
3 Year |
Licence Variation |
Re-Inspect |
| Animal Boarding | ||||||
| 0 - 5 Animals |
Application/Inspection Licence Total |
£151 £129 £280 |
£153 £188 £341 |
£153 £223 £376 |
£153 |
£96 |
| 6 - 25 Animals |
Application/Inspection Licence Total |
£165 £200 £365 |
£165 £223 £388 |
£165 £248 £413 |
£165 |
£118 |
| 26 - 50 Animals |
Application/Inspection Licence Total |
£176 £270 £446 |
£177 £282 £459 |
£176 £305 £481 |
£176 |
£141 |
| 50+ Animals |
Application/Inspection Licence Total |
£201 £317 £518 |
£200 £340 £540 |
£200 £364 £564 |
£200 |
£165 |
| Dog Breeding | ||||||
| 0 - 5 Animals * |
Application/Inspection Licence Total |
£153 £129 £282 |
£153 £188 £341 |
£153 £223 £376 |
£153 |
£96 |
| 6 - 25 Animals * |
Application/Inspection Licence Total |
£154 £187 £341 |
£154 £209 £363 |
£154 £231 £385 |
£165 |
£118 |
| 26+ Animals * |
Application/Inspection Licence Total |
£177 £294 £471 |
£177 £318 £495 |
£177 £353 £530 |
£177 |
£141 |
|
* If you are also applying for animal boarding the application/licence fee is reduced by £10 for 0-5 animals, £20 for 6-25 animals and £30 for 26+ animals. Selling animals as pets |
||||||
| Animals as pets (add £55 for each species of any Dangerous Wild Animal if applicable) |
Application/Inspection Licence Total |
£154 £121 £275 |
£154 £121 £275 |
£154 £121 £275 |
£154 |
£90 |
| Hiring out Horses | ||||||
| 0 - 5 Animals |
Application/Inspection Licence Total |
£143 £132 £275 |
£143 £187 £330 |
£143 £231 £374 |
£143 |
£90 |
| 6 - 25 Animals |
Application/Inspection Licence Total |
£154 £231 £385 |
£154 £242 £396 |
£154 £264 £418 |
£154 |
£110 |
| 26+ Animals |
Application/Inspection Licence Total |
£165 £275 £440 |
£165 £297 £462 |
£165 £330 £495 |
£165 |
£132 |
| Exhibiting / Performing Animals | ||||||
| Any number of animals |
Application/Inspection Licence Total |
N/A |
N/A |
£153 £165 £318 |
£141 |
N/A |
Does tacit consent apply?
No. This means you must obtain a licence before carrying out a licensable activity involving animals.
Rights of appeal
You have the right to appeal if your application is refused or your licence is revoked. Appeals are heard by the First Tier Tribunal.
There is also an appeals system for the star rating. If you do not agree with the star rating awarded by us and you have followed the appeals procedures, you can seek a judicial review of the decision or submit a formal complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman.