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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.
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.
(181 KB) (873 KB) (971 KB) (916 KB) (438 KB) (287 KB) (491 KB) (336 KB) (438 KB) (727 KB) (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.
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