Licence to run a business involving animals

Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions

The government has published some guidance about looking after animals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

If you're self-isolating you shouldn't go out to walk your dog. You'll need to ask someone to do this on your behalf.  

The following businesses can still operate with COVID-19 secure measures in place:

  • professional dog walking
  • animal rescue charities
  • businesses who hold animal activity licences for home boarding, dog day care, kennels, catteries and pet shops 
  • dog grooming (if it's to meet an animal welfare need) 

If you're a pet owner or work in a pet care business, you may also find this guidance from the Canine and Feline Sector Group useful. It includes some advice about walking someone else's dog. 

If you're a business and have some questions after reading this guidance you can email regulatoryservices@barnsley.gov.uk.

Applying for a licence to run a business

If you’re thinking about running a kennel, cattery, riding stable, pet shop, home boarding or dog breeding facility, you’ll need to apply to us for a licence. 

It’s an offence to run such businesses without a licence. Before you apply you can take a look at our guidance notes and frequently asked questions to help you.

Applications

You'll need to: 

  • read about the standards and conditions that you’ll have to meet before you can open any business involving animals. You can find these in the Animal Welfare Regulations legislation and the relevant DEFRA guidance below.
  • complete and return the relevant application form.
  • pay your licence application fee by calling (01226) 773743. You can pay using a Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard or Maestro.

DEFRA guidance documents

Licence application forms

Renewals

DEFRA requires us to notify you about your licensed premises three months before the expiry of your licence and requires you as a business to apply for a renewal of your licence 10 weeks prior to its expiry.

Star ratings

From 1 October 2018 businesses will be given a star rating on inspection to indicate whether they meet the minimum or higher standard under the legislation and DEFRA guidance. The guidance indicates under each section the requirements that could achieve a higher standard.  

As part of this process we'll assess whether your business is higher risk or lower risk by completing the risk assessment matrix DEFRA guidance document. This will determine whether your licence is renewed on a 1, 2 or 3 year basis. The intention is that businesses operating to the highest standards will save money.

Fees and charges

The fees and charges below are applicable to new licences or renewals dated on or after 1 April 2019.

For new licences processed before this date the fee will be given upon application.

Licence type New application fee Renewal fee at expiration date Star rating re-assessment fee Licence variation fee
Home boarding £256 £256 £177 £177
Domestic doggy day care £256 £256 £177 £177
Commercial boarding and doggy day care
(1 to 25 cats or dogs)		 £256 £256 £177 £177
Commercial boarding and doggy day care
(26 or more cats or dogs)		 £355 £355 £197 £197
Pet sales
(small / single species)		 £256 £256 £177 £177
Pet sales
(large / multiple species)		 £315 £315 £177 £177
Dog breeding
(1 to 10 bitches / stud dogs)		 £285
plus vet fees		 £285 £197 £197
plus vet fees
Dog breeding
(11 or more bitches / stud dogs)		 £355
plus vet fees		 £355 £197 £197
plus vet fees
Horse riding establishments
(1 to 10 horses)		 £275
plus vet fees		 £275
plus vet fees		 £197 £197
plus vet fees
Horse riding establishments
(11 or more horses)		 £305
plus vet fees		 £305
plus vet fees		 £197 £197
plus vet fees
Animal exhibitor and trainer
(single species)		 £149 £149 - £120
Animal exhibitor and trainer
(multiple species)		 £169 £169 - £120
Dangerous wild animals Price on application Price on application - -
Zoo licence minimum annual fee £585
plus vet fees		 £585
plus vet fees if applicable		 - -