Animal licensing

Under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, a licence is required to breed dogs as a business.

When is a licence needed?

A licence is required if you are:

• breeding 3 or more litters in a 12 month period
• breeding dogs and advertising a business of selling dogs, as defined under the business test below

Businesses need a licence regardless of the number of litters produced. This is not restricted to registered businesses. Individuals can also be classed as a business depending on the extent of their activities.

You may be considered as running a business of selling dogs even if less than 3 litters are bred in 12 months. We will consider your circumstances on an individual basis. This will include:

• the frequency of litters bred
• the sale price of the puppies sold
• whether different breeds are bred
• how the puppies are advertised for sale

Are there any exceptions?

The following examples are considered out of scope and do not require a licence:

• If puppies are not sold, for example, kept by the breeder or given away for free. Documented evidence will need to include records of the new owners of all of the puppies and provide details on why there was no transaction involved
• If you are breeding assistance dogs
• Dogs kept under the Animal Health Act 1981 or regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
• Registered charities re-homing puppies born to rescue dogs unless run as a commercial activity

What should I consider?

Full details are available in the guidance notes below: 

• Guidance notes for breeding dogs

Please note the following that may be of special interest:

• For new applicants, a qualified vet must complete the first inspection or complete the inspection with a licensing officer
• Any dogs that are advertised for sale must include the licence number. They must also show which local authority issued the licence and provide a recognisable photograph of the dog along with the dogs age.
• Dogs may be bred in the home, in kennels or a mixture of both

How to apply

Complete the following online form:

Apply for an animal activity licence

How to pay

The application fee is payable when you have completed the online form. Only the application fee needs to be paid at this time. The grant fee for the issue of the licence is payable following inspection.

Fees

Breeding dogs

One to five breeding bitches:

• Application fee including renewals - £154.40
• Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
• Licence grant fee for one year - £198.50
• Licence grant fee for two years - £270.10
• Licence grant fee for three years - £347.30

Six to 15 breeding bitches:

• Application fee including renewals - £170.90
• Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
• Licence grant fee for one year - £242.60
• Licence grant fee for two years - £303.20
• Licence grant fee for three years - £407.90

16 to 40 breeding bitches:

• Application fee including renewals - £187.40
• Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
• Licence grant fee for one year - £264.60
• Licence grant fee for two years - £358.30
• Licence grant fee for three years - £430

41+ breeding bitches:

• Application fee including renewals - £209.50
• Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
• Licence grant fee for one year - £319.70
• Licence grant fee for two years - £374.90
• Licence grant fee for three years - £468.60

Variation of licence

• Application fee - £60.60
• Vets fees where applicable and recharged at cost plus £85 inspection fee if required.

Minor variation

• Minor administrative change (for example, name change or additional carer name) - £16.50

Transfer due to death of licensee

• Application fee - £60.60

Re-evaluation of star rating

• Application fee - £49.60
• Inspection fee - £93.70

Copy of licence

• Application fee - £11.60

Combination of licensable activities

• Application fee - Highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee.
• Additional costs - Vets fees as required recharged at cost.
• Licence grant fee for one year - Highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee.
• Licence grant fee for two years - Highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee.
• Licence grant fee for three years - Highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee.