Animal welfare licensing

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.

Animal Licensing Register

Animal Licensing Policy 2024

Existing licence 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 licences granted under these Regulations.

• The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 Procedural guidance notes for local authorities 

• The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 

• Animal activity licensing process: statutory guidance for local authorities

• Licensing of Dangerous Wild Animals 

Defra Guidance

• Dog day care licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities

• Dog breeding licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities

• Home boarding for dogs licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities

• Dog kennel boarding licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities

• Selling animals as pets licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities

• Keeping or training animals for exhibition licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities

• Cat boarding licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities

• Hiring out horses licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities

• Dangerous Wild Animals Guidance note for applicants 

• DEFRA Boarding Franchise Guidance October 2018 

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.