Animal Licensing Legislation

New regulations from 1 October 2018

The current licensing legislation for businesses involving dog breeding, dog and cat boarding (including home boarding), dog day care, selling pet animals and exhibiting animals will change on 1 October 2018 when the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (legislation.gov.uk) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/486/schedule/4/made   is implemented. This will significantly change the way that activities involving animals are licensed in England. 

Guidance on implementation of the regulations has been published by The Canine and Feline Sector Group http://www.cfsg.org.uk/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/SitePages/Legislation%20and%20Guidance.aspx  who have worked closely with the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on the new regulations.

Legislation and Guidance

You can find guidance documents to help you understand and meet the new requirements relating to cats and dogs which is set out in the Animal Activity Licensing Regulation 2018 from Canine and Feline Sector Group's website http://www.cfsg.org.uk/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/SitePages/Legislation%20and%20Guidance.aspx 

Existing licence holders and anyone planning to apply for a licence should also read The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/486/schedule/4/made   (the "Regulations") to understand their obligations and duties under the new Regulations and the licences granted under these Regulations.

• The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018 (181 KB)
• DEFRA Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs (873 KB) 
• DEFRA Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats (971 KB) 
• Guidance notes for Boarding Cats 2018 (916 KB) 
• Guidance notes for Boarding Dogs in Kennels 2018 (438 KB) 
• Guidance notes for Dog Day Care 2018 (287 KB) 
• Guidance notes for Exhibition of Animals 2018 (491 KB) 
• Guidance notes for Hiring out Horses 2018 (336 KB) 
• Guidance notes for Home Boarding Dogs 2018 (438 KB) 
• Guidance notes for Selling Animals as Pets 2018 (727 KB) 
• Guidance notes for Breeding Dogs 2018 (480 KB) 

Existing licenses will continue to be valid until the renewal date but license holders should refer to the relevant legislation and guidance above, to ensure that they will be able to comply with any changes proposed at the time of renewal.

Any new businesses requiring a license under any of the above categories should complete and return a license application along with the fee required.