On 1 October 2018 The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 come into force. These regulations will replace a number of pieces of existing legislation set to be repealed at the end of 2018 and will provide a new single licensing regime for a number of animal licensing activities.
Those undertaking the following activities will need to be licensed under the new regime:
- Selling animals as pets
- Providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs (including day care)
- Hiring out horses
- Breeding dogs
- Keeping or training animals for exhibition
If you already hold an animal boarding, home boarding, pet shop, dog breeding or riding establishment licence with us then you can carry on trading until your current licence expires. Further information will be sent to you later in the year.
The new Regulations will set nationally applicable conditions that licence holders must comply with. A ratings system will be introduced whereby licence holders will be given a rating dependant on specified criteria. Current licence holders are advised to review their compliance with the new conditions.
The Canine and Feline Sector Group have collated information and guidance on the changes and this is available on their website, Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 .
Fees will be determined by the authority.
Zoos and Dangerous and Wild Animals will continue to be licensed under existing legislation.
Further information will be placed on this page when available.