Animal Welfare Act 2006 – Activities Covered Under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
These regulations require businesses to obtain a licence for certain activities involving animals. The licensable activities include:
1. Selling animals as pets – This includes businesses or individuals who sell animals directly to the public, whether from a physical premises, at markets, or online. It also covers pet shops and anyone selling animals with the intention of them being kept as pets.
2. Providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs, which covers:
- Boarding kennels for dogs
- Catteries for cats
- Home boarding for dogs
- Dog day care
3. Hiring out horses – This includes riding schools, trekking centres, and any other business where horses or ponies are hired out for riding or instruction.
4. Dog breeding – This applies to individuals or businesses breeding dogs, particularly those producing three or more litters per year and/or selling puppies for profit.
5. Keeping or training animals for exhibition– This includes businesses or individuals who keep or train animals to be shown to the public for educational or entertainment purposes, whether in person or online. Examples include animal displays at schools, TV/film work, public shows, and petting farms.
All of the activities listed above, except keeping or training animals for exhibition, are assessed using a star rating system ranging from one to five. The star rating determines both the duration of the licence and the frequency of inspections. For keeping or training animals for exhibition, a licence is granted for a period of three years. For all other activities, new applicants may receive a licence for a maximum of one year. After this initial period, upon a successful renewal inspection, licences can be issued for up to three years.
| Minor failings | Minimum standards | Higher standards | |
| Low risk | 1 star rating, 1 year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 12 months | 3 star rating, 2 year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 24 months | 5 star rating, 3 year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 36 months |
| Higher risk | 1 star rating, 1 year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 12 months | 2 star rating, 1 year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 12 months | 4 star rating, 2 year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 24 months |
If you are considering running a business for one of the above activities, you must obtain a licence from the local authority. The process is as follows:
1. Submit Your Application
Complete the application form for the activity you wish to carry out.
Email your completed form together with a copy of your current insurance certificate to: licensing@fylde.gov.uk
Before submitting your application, we recommend that you read the inspection proforma for your activity.
The proforma sets out the standards our inspectors will assess during your inspection. Reviewing it will help you understand the minimum requirements you must meet in order to be licensed. It also provides guidance on the documentation we expect to see, such as policies and procedures, and outlines the welfare conditions that must be in place for the animals.
- Boarding Kennels Dogs
- Cat Boarding
- Day Care Dogs
- Hiring out Horse
- Home Boarding Dogs
- Keeping or Training Animals for Exhibition
- Selling Animals as Pets
2. Payment and Inspection
The Licensing Team will contact you to arrange payment.
An inspection date will be scheduled to assess your premises and operations.
3. Prepare for Inspection
Before the inspection, you will be asked to provide documentation, including:
- Cleaning and feeding regimes
- Emergency procedures
- Staff training records
- Any other policies relevant to animal welfare
4. Inspection
A Licensing Officer will visit your premises to ensure compliance with the welfare standards. Depending on the activity, a vet may be present. A listed veterinary surgeon must be present at all inspections for Hiring Out Horses, including the initial application inspection, renewal inspections, and annual inspections. Additionally, a vet must be appointed to assist during the initial inspection for Breeding of Dogs.
5. Licence Issuance
Upon successful inspection, your licence will be issued, allowing you to operate legally.
| Activity | Fee upon application (covering inspection and one year licence) | Additional fee applicable for approvals extending beyond a one year licence |
| Selling animals as pets | £184 | 2 years - £74 3 years - £148 |
| Providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs | £200 | 2 years - £74 3 years - £148 |
| Hiring out horses | First time applicant £153 Renewal £144 | |
| Dog breeding | £200 | 2 years - £74 3 years - £148 |
| Keeping or training animals for exhibition | £200 | |
| Reinspection | £150 |
