Animal welfare licensing
The animal welfare licensing of activities involving animals regulations
These regulations came into effect on 1 October 2018. The full details can be found on the Government Regulations website.
The regulations were made under the current Animal Welfare Act 2006. They have been established to maintain and improve existing animal welfare standards throughout England.
The regulations will replace all existing animal licensing legislation which will be revoked with the exception of licences for dangerous wild animals and zoos.
The activities affected include:
- providing boarding for cats
- providing boarding in kennels for dogs
- providing home boarding for dogs
- providing day care for dogs
- hiring out horses
- breeding of dogs
- selling animals as pets
- keeping or training animals for exhibition
Under the new regulations you will be required to apply for each activity separately. Once an inspection has taken place, a dual licence may be granted for multiple activities.
A new risk based star rating system has been introduced. This system will determine the star rating and the duration of the licence issued. This could be for a period of one, two or three years, with the exception of Keeping or Training Animals for Exhibition, which requires a three year, non risk based licence.
Details of each type of licence, how to apply and how to pay, are available on the following pages.