Animal 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 replaced all existing animal licensing legislation which will be revoked with the exception of licences for dangerous wild animals and zoos.

The activities affected include:

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. 

Star ratings are based purely on whether the licensee meets the minimum or higher standards as well as the statutory risk assessment on the licensee’s operational history. 

Please note: New premises will automatically be considered high risk as there is no previous business history to assess. If they have compliance history with another local authority or with a UKAS-accredited body such as the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme, this can be used for the risk assessment.

Further details of the requirements for local authorities when inspecting businesses can be found on the Government website.

Local authorities use the following scoring matrix to determine the star rating for the business.

Animals activity star rating system

Low risk

Minor failings
1 star rating, 1 year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 12 months
Minimum standards
3 star rating, 2 year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 24 months
Higher standards
5 star rating, 3 year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 36 months

High risk

Minor failings
1 star rating, 1 year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 12 months
Minimum standards
2 star rating, 1 year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 12 months
Higher standards
4 star rating, 2 year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 24 months

New businesses cannot have minor failings and must meet at least the minimum standards to obtain a licence.

Higher standards are split into required and optional standards. Businesses must meet all of the required and at least 50% of the optional to achieve higher standards.

Both the minimum and higher standards are set for each individual activity by the regulations and the statutory guidance for that specific activity.

Current guidance can be found under each activity’s page.

Licensed premises list

You can see a list of premises that hold licences for the boarding of animals in the licensed premises for animals directory.

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