If your business relates to animals, you must ensure you meet animal welfare regulations which control the following licensable activities:

• selling animals as pets
• providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs
• hiring out horses
• breeding dogs
• keeping or training animals for exhibition

If you are operating a business which would require a licence, please take the time to examine both the general and activity specific conditions that will apply. The current guidance documents will help answer questions regarding the conditions.

Application forms

You can apply for a new licence or renew an existing licence by completing an application form which can be downloaded below, and contacting us to pay the correct fee.

Application for a licence to sell animals as pets 

Application for a licence to provide or arrange for the provision of
boarding for cats or dogs

Application for a licence to hire out horses

Application for a licence to breed dogs

Application for a licence to keep or train animals for
exhibition

Fees

The total fee for an animal welfare licence is made up of two elements:

1. Application fee (non-refundable): this covers the work done prior to determining whether to grant your licence including the visit.
2. Grant fee (refundable if the licence isn't granted): this covers the process of granting your licence and the ongoing regulation of your licence.

Breakdown of fees

• Standard fee: this is for a single licensable activity (plus actual vet fees if you are breeding dogs or providing riding activities)
• Additional licensable activity fee: this is for additional licensable activities (for example if you board dogs and also run a pet shop)
• Vary your licence or have your star rating re-evaluated fee