Types of animal welfare licences

If you're a business that deals with animals, for example if you breed dogs or hire out horses, you will need to apply for an animal welfare licence.

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 & Rural Affairs legislation on licensing activities involving animals.

List of current animal boarding establishments

Download the list of animal boarding establishments (PDF, 115KB)

Animal welfare licence fees

View the current animal welfare licence fees