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
- 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 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 |
- | - |
Contact the Animal Health Service
Call us on (01226) 773555 or