Who can apply
You'll need to apply for a animal welfare licence if you're:
- dog breeding
- animal boarding
- keeping dangerous wild animals
- keeping or training animals for exhibit
- selling animals as pets
- hiring out horses
Each licences has different criteria and conditions attached.
Anyone who carries on any of the licensable activities without a licence is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of up to six months, a fine or both.
Disqualifications
Certain people are not permitted to hold a licence. To find out who is disqualified from holding a licence, go to schedule 8, regulation 11, of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
Legislation and guidance
You can read the Department of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs legislation on licensing activities involving animals.
List of current animal boarding establishments
Download the list of animal boarding establishments (PDF, 113KB).