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Tuesday , April , 16 2024
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New Animal Licensing Regime
On 1 October 2018 The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 came into force. These regulations replace existing animal licencing legislation and will provide a new single licensing regime for a number of animal licensing activities.
Those undertaking the following activities 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
The new Regulations set nationally applicable conditions that licence holders must comply with. A ratings system has been introduced whereby licence holders will be given a rating dependant on specified criteria. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 can be found to the right on this page.
Further information and fees for each licensable activity can be found on the relevant web pages 
Zoos and Dangerous and Wild Animals will continue to be licensed under existing legislation.

Complaints

Please contact us if you have a complaint about the welfare of animals or nuisance caused by any licensed or non licensed animal establishment, or if you become aware of a non licensed premise or have any concerns re a licensed premise, please inform us at [email protected] 

Licenced Dog Breeders

If the image below does not load then please see the document in the 'Downloadable Document' section on the bottom right-hand side of the page.


 

Game dealing

Game dealers in England and Wales

From 1 August 2007 you no longer have to hold a local authority licence or an excise licence in order to take, kill or deal in game.

Restrictions on dealing in game birds and venison during the close season no longer apply. This means that you will be allowed to sell game and venison all year round provided the animals in question were lawfully killed.

If you deal in game birds or venison, you should check your source before you either:

  • sell
  • advertise
  • transport for purposes of sale

This is because you could be committing an offence if you know or have reason to believe that the game bird or venison you offer for sale was unlawfully killed, taken or poached during the close season.

Game dealers in Scotland

A licence to kill or take game in Scotland is still required.  Game licences for Scotland can be obtained from main Post Offices in Scotland.

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