Animal Welfare

All licences expire annually on the 31st December. Applications made during the year are charged a pro rota fee. A list of fees can be found here.

Applicants for Riding Establishments and Dangerous Wild Animals Licences and New applications for Animal Breeding will be required to submit a Vet inspection report.

Further enquiries can be made to the licensing section on 01283 508506.

Animal boarding

To run a boarding kennel or cattery, you need a licence from the local authority.

Animal movements (External Website)

If you move animals including cattle and livestock.

Dog breeding

A licence is required for any premises where more than two bitches are kept for the purposes of breeding for sale. Commercial dog breeding establishments are premises having five or more litters of puppies in any twelve months.

Pet shops

You will need a licence if you are involved in the commercial selling of pet animals, including pet shops and businesses selling animals over the internet.

Riding establishments

To run a riding establishment where horses or ponies are hired out for riding or used for riding instruction you will need a licence.

Wild animals

Animals which are classified as "dangerous wild animals" can be anything from an Aardvark to a Zebra. They are identified in a schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. Anyone wishing to keep one of these animals requires a Licence issued by the local authority.

More Information

Zoos

A licence is required for an establishment where wild animals are kept for exhibition to which members of the public have access, with or without charge for admission, on more than seven days in any period of twelve consecutive months.