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

• Catteries
• Dog breeding
• Dog day care
• Home boarding
• Hiring out horses
• Keeping or training animals for exhibition
• Kennels
• Pet shops
• Procedural guidance for local authorities

Licence application forms

• Dog breeding application form
• Home boarder / dog day care / kennels / catteries application form 
• Hire of horses application form 
• Keeping or training animals for exhibition application form
• Pet shop application form 

Renewals

DEFRA requires us to notify you about your licensed premises three months before the expiry of your licence. It 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. We'll do this 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 2022.

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