Animal welfare licensing

Animal establishments licensed by the Environmental Health Service

Officers from Environmental Health Service inspect these premises annually to ensure that they comply with licence conditions. Premises are also subject to additional checks to ensure standards are maintained.

The standards relate to structure, safety, security, infectious disease control, and the suitability of the licence holder. The aim is to:

  • ensure minimum standards of welfare for animals
  • prevent the spread of disease and
  • ensure the safety of the public visiting these premises.

Periodic inspections are carried out to confirm standards are maintained, and in response to complaints.

Our advice to anyone using these premises is always:

  • check they are licensed by the Council, and ask to see the current licence
  • inspect the premises prior to leaving your pet, buying an animal, or taking a riding lesson and
  • ensure that riding schools have current public liability insurance.

Licences run for one year, but always expire on 31 December.

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Refusal of licence

Licences may be refused, cancelled or revoked for several reasons (please note that not all the restrictions are relevant to all licences). The courts may disqualify applicants from holding an animal licence for a set period of time:

  • if the applicant is under 18.
  • if the applicant has been disqualified from holding an animal licence or keeping an animal or
  • if conditions of the licence are not met.

Additionally, veterinary surgeons and practitioners, local authority officers, or competent persons authorised by the Local Authority may inspect licensed premises and any animals found there at any reasonable time. Unlicensed premises may be inspected by applying for a warrant.

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Animal boarding establishments

Any premises (including a private dwelling) which is used for the business of providing accommodation for other people's cats or dogs is described as an 'Animal Boarding Establishment'.

Any person who runs such an establishment requires a licence under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.

Licences have a number of conditionsfor cats and dogsattached to them covering the accommodation in which animals are kept, the adequacy of food, drink and exercise, control of disease spread, protection of animals from fire or other emergency, and a register of animals.

A licence is issued following a satisfactory inspection by a Council officer and, if necessary, a veterinary surgeon.

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Dangerous wild animals

A licence is required for anybody wishing to keep a dangerous wild animal. The only time a licence is not required is if the animal is kept in a zoo, circus or pet shop.

For further information and a list of those animals considered to be dangerous under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 contact Defra.

The licence requires the owner to keep the animal in suitable and safe conditions, for the welfare of the animal and protection of the public.

Premises must be inspected by a veterinary officer before a licence can be granted.

Licences can be refused or issued subject to specific conditions, including:

  • requirements that they will not be moved from the licensed premises (unless allowed for in the licence)
  • the licence holder must be insured against liability and
  • restrictions on the species and number of animals to be kept.

If a dangerous wild animal is being kept without the authority of a licence or in contravention of a licence condition, the Local Authority may seize the animal and retain it, destroy it or otherwise dispose of it.

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Dog breeding establishments

Anyone who breeds dogs as a business or produces, for sale, five or more litters of puppies per year needs to be licensed under the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 amended by the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999. Hobby breeders are therefore normally exempt.

Conditions are imposed which restrict the number of litters that each bitch can have, require the identification of puppies and specify the records that must be kept.

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Pet shop licences

These licences are required in order to regulate the sale of pet animals, under the Pet Animals 1951 (as amended). This excludes keeping or selling pedigree animals bred privately or the offspring of animals kept as pets.

Selling animals as pets as a business is prohibited in any part of a street, in a public place, or at a stall or barrow in a market. Mammals are not to be sold at too early an age.

The licence imposes conditions relating to the feeding and housing of the animals.

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Riding establishments

Stables which hire out horses or ponies for riding or instruction must be licensed under the Riding Establishments Act 1964, as amended. Livery stables are not included.

The definition of a 'Riding Establishment' is "the carrying on of a business of keeping horses for either riding or hire, or the purpose of instruction for the return of payment". Veterinary surgeons, police forces and zoos do not require licences.

The licence is attached with conditions. The Council considers the following matters before issuing a licence:

  • whether the applicant appears to be suitable and qualified (i.e. holder of an approved certificate, experienced in managing horses, etc.)
  • that consideration will be given to the condition of the horses, they will be maintained in good health and their feet properly looked after
  • adequate pasture, shelter, water, exercise, rest and grooming is provided
  • the horses shall be suitable for the purposes for which they are kept
  • adequate fire precautions are in place and
  • whether a current insurance policy is held insuring the holder against liability for any injury sustained from using those horses.

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Licence fees

All licence fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change on 1 April each year.