If you run a business involving animals, you may need a licence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
Licensable Activities
You must be licensed if you operate any of the following as a business:
| 1. | Selling animals as pets |
This includes if you breed animals other than dogs and sell the offspring as pets |
| 2. | Boarding or arranging boarding for cats and dogs |
|
| 3. | Dog breeding |
Breeding three or more litters in a 12-month period. Advertising a business of selling dogs. |
| 4. | Hiring out horses |
For riding or riding instruction. |
| 5. | Keeping or training animals for exhibition |
For educational or entertainment purposes, either in person or via recorded media. |
Before You Apply
Read the guidance for your specific activity (see below). You will need to demonstrate compliance with all the conditions and provide some documentation with your application.
Documentation and records
Operators are required to provide some documentation along with the application, as appropriate to the activity.
1. Proof of Planning permission
2. Proof of Public liability insurance
3. Written Operating Procedures
- Daily care routines, including feeding
- Emergency procedure
- Cleaning and disinfecting schedules
- Prevention of disease and biosecurity
- Exercise and enrichment plans
4. Evidence of staff (including licence holder) competency
5. A preventative Healthcare Plan approved by your veterinary practice. Complete and return this form. [DOCX, 31KB]
6. A plan of the premises to be licenced
Star Rating and Risk Rating Scheme
Just as food businesses receive hygiene ratings, animal businesses will be assessed and awarded a star rating from 1 to 5, reflecting their welfare standards and associated risk level.
| Star Award | Risk | Licence Duration |
| 1 star | Low or high risk with minor failings | One-year licence (only used for existing licences on renewal) |
| 2 stars | High risk but meeting minimum welfare standards | Once-year licence |
| 3 stars | Low risk and meeting minimum welfare standards | Two-year licence |
| 4 stars | High risk but meeting higher welfare standards | Two-year licence |
| 5 stars | Low risk and meeting higher welfare standards | Three-year licence |
How the risk rating is decided
Whether an animal business is considered high or low risk depends on several factors, including its history of compliance, understanding of welfare standards and potential hazards, the effectiveness of its welfare management procedures, and where relevant any certification by a UKAS-accredited body. The inspecting officer will determine the final risk rating following the inspection.
Exception for Keeping and training animal for exhibition.
This activity is not subject to the star and risk rating scheme. All Licences for this activity are issued for 3 years and are not given a star rating.
Inspections and Fees
All premises are inspected by a qualified Officer before a licence can be granted. Certain activities are required to have veterinary inspection, the additional cost of which is passed to the applicant.
- Dog breeding - on first application,
- Hiring of Horses – on first application, each year the licence is in force, at renewal.
The application fee is payable at the time of application, this covers the cost of administration and inspecting Officer time inspecting the premises. This fee is non-refundable once the application is made.
The Licence fee covers the cost of officers undertaking compliance visits during the term of the licence, general administration and completing annual returns to central government. This fee is payable on the grant of the licence.
All licensed premises will be subject to at least one unannounced inspection during the licence period.
View Licensing Fees and Charges
Tacit consent does not apply – you must have a licence before starting any licensable activity.
Guidance and Conditions
The guidance documents below are provided by Government for local authority inspectors for activities involving animals. Each document specifies the conditions that each operator must meet for a licence to be granted.
- Selling animals as pets licensing guidance
- Cat boarding licensing guidance
- Dog kennel boarding licensing guidance
- Home boarding for dogs licensing guidance
- Dog day care licensing guidance
- Dog breeding licensing guidance
- Hiring out horses licensing guidance
- Keeping or training animals for exhibition licensing guidance
The conditions are broken down into 3 sections:
1. General conditions that are required by all operators
2. Activity specific Conditions such as home boarding of dogs, pet shops, and so on.
These conditions are considered the minimum standard of welfare required, compliance with these conditions is mandatory; where these are not complied with then a licence cannot be issued.
3. Higher Welfare Standards - are classified into two types: ‘required’ and ‘optional’.
Achieving higher welfare standards is at the discretion of the operator whether they wish to meet the higher standards, but please be advised that meeting these is the only way to gain a higher star rating.
In order for your business to meet the higher standards you will need to comply with all the compulsory higher standards as well as a 50% of the optional standards for your activity.