Animal licences
Anyone who is in the business of selling animals as pets, providing for or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs, hiring out horses, dog breeding and keeping or training animals for exhibition must be licensed with their local authority under the Animal Welfare (Licensing Of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
Its important that you check an individual or establishment is licensed before agreeing any business, for example before buying a dog or puppy.
Check the Animal Welfare Regulations 2018 - Star Ratings to see if an individual or establishment is licensed and find out their start rating.
A licence is needed if you want to work with animals as a business.
You can apply for an:
- animal boarding establishment licence - this includes: dog kennel boarding, cat boarding, home boarding for dogs and day care for dogs
- breeding of dogs licence
- pet shop licence
- horse riding establishment licence
- Keeping or training animals for exhibition licensing
You also need a licence to own a dangerous wild animal or to run a zoo.
Sheep and goat owners and keepers must follow the Sheep and goats movement general licence conditions.
Applications for licence type
Each licence type includes specific guidance on licence conditions, self-assessment forms, application forms and licencing fees.
Every licenced boarding kennel, cattery, dog home boarding, dog day care, pet sales, dog breeding and riding establishment is given a star rating ranging from 1 to 5 stars. The licence for keeping or training animals for exhibition is not included in the rating system.
The star rating is determined by a risk-based scoring system. It takes into account both the animal welfare standards adopted by the business and their level of risk. This is based on elements such as past compliance.
In order to calculate the length of the licence and associated star rating the following questions are addressed based on the inspection and on records of past compliance:
- Does the business meet the minimum standards (licence conditions)?
- Does the business meet the higher standards?
- Is the business low or higher risk?
| Risk | Minor welfare failings (existing businesses failing to meet minimum standards) | Minimum welfare standards | Higher welfare standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low |
1 star 1 year licence |
3 stars 2 year licence |
5 stars 3 year licence |
| Higher |
1 star 1 year licence |
2 stars 1 year licence |
4 stars 2 year licence |
The welfare standards are those set out in the regulations and guidance to the regulations. All businesses should meet the minimum standards to get a licence and therefore receive a 2 or 3 rating. However, minor failings that do not compromise the welfare of animals, e.g. administrative issues, may allow for a licence but with a rating of 1 star.
The guidance to the Regulations are specific to the type of activity and include a number of higher standards which businesses may aspire to in order to receive a higher standard rating as these are not mandatory in order to obtain a licence. The higher standards are divided into required and optional, a business needs to meet all the required higher standards and a minimum of 50% of the optional higher standards to qualify as meeting the higher standards.
All new and current businesses without three years previous compliance history with a local authority will be automatically rated high risk.
List of licenced star rated establishments
An animal boarding licence is needed for providing or arranging provision of boarding for cats or dogs - this includes dog kennel boarding, cat boarding, home boarding for dogs and day care for dogs.
How to apply for a animal boarding establishment licence
Clock Completing this form takes around 30 minutes
Before you apply
Before applying you will need to check the licence requirements. Specific guidance on licence conditions is available to read for each licence type.
- Home boarding for dogs licensing statutory conditions and guidance
- Dog kennel boarding licensing statutory conditions and guidance
- Dog day care licensing statutory conditions and guidance
- Cat boarding licensing statutory conditions and guidance
You are advised to undertake an assessment against the licence conditions prior to application or inspection. This is to prepare for your licence inspection and identify areas for improvement that you can implement in order to fully comply with conditions and/or meet the higher standards. This will improve both welfare standards and help you to achieve a higher star rating.
To assist you, self-assessment forms are available which includes guidance on how to meet each condition. It will also help to speed up the licence process if you submit any documented policies, procedures etc. with your application.
Licence fees
| Activity | Consideration of application fee £ | 1 year fee £ | 2 year fee £ | 3 year fee £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The home boarding of dogs | 221 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
| Day care for dogs | 246 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
| Combined home boarding of dogs & commercial day care for dogs | 303 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
| Combined home boarding of dogs & a cattery | 352 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
| Providing boarding in Kennels for dogs | 246 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
| Providing boarding in Kennels for dogs (25+ dogs) | 262 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
| Providing boarding for cats | 246 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
| Providing boarding for cats (25+ cats) | 262 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
| Combined kennel & cattery | 311 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
In order for us to consider your application, you must pay the correct fee. You must pay the consideration of application fee when submitting your application.
A dog breeding licence is needed if you breed as a business.
How to apply for a dog breeding licence
Clock Completing this form takes around 30 minutes
Before you apply
Before applying you will need to check the licence requirements.
You are advised to undertake an assessment against the licence conditions prior to application or inspection. This is to prepare for your licence inspection and identify areas for improvement that you can implement in order to fully comply with conditions and/or meet the higher standards. This will improve both welfare standards and help you to achieve a higher star rating.
To assist you, self-assessment forms are available which includes guidance on how to meet each condition. It will also help to speed up the licence process if you submit any documented policies, procedures etc. with your application.
Licence fees
A vet inspection is needed for all new applications. The fees for this inspection are set by the vet and must be paid by the applicant.
| Activity | Consideration of application fee £ | 1 year fee £ | 2 year fee £ | 3 year fee £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breeding dogs (excluding Vet fees) | 274 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
| Breeding of dogs (renewal) | 253 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
In order for us to consider your application, you must pay the correct fee. You must pay the consideration of application fee when submitting your application.
A horse riding establishments licence is needed to hire out horses or donkeys for riding or riding instruction.
How to apply for a horse riding establishments licence
Clock Completing this form takes around 30 minutes
Before you apply
Before applying you will need to check the licence requirements.
You are advised to undertake an assessment against the licence conditions prior to application or inspection. This is to prepare for your licence inspection and identify areas for improvement that you can implement in order to fully comply with conditions and/or meet the higher standards. This will improve both welfare standards and help you to achieve a higher star rating.
To assist you, self-assessment forms are available which includes guidance on how to meet each condition. It will also help to speed up the licence process if you submit any documented policies, procedures etc. with your application.
Licence fees
A vet inspection is also needed each year for the duration of the licence. The fees for the inspection are set by the vet and must be paid by the applicant.
| Activity | Consideration of application fee £ | 1 year fee £ | 2 year fee £ | 3 year fee £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiring of horses | 287 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
In order for us to consider your application, you must pay the correct fee. You must pay the consideration of application fee when submitting your application.
A licence is needed for keeping or training animals for exhibition licensing
How to apply for Keeping or training animals for exhibition licensing
Clock Completing this form takes around 30 minutes
Before you apply
Before applying you will need to check the licence requirements.
You are advised to undertake an assessment against the licence conditions prior to application or inspection. This is to prepare for your licence inspection and identify areas for improvement that you can implement in order to fully comply with conditions and/or meet the higher standards. This will improve both welfare standards and help you to achieve a higher star rating.
To assist you, self-assessment forms are available which includes guidance on how to meet each condition. It will also help to speed up the licence process if you submit any documented policies, procedures etc. with your application.
Download keeping or training animals for exhibition application form
Licence fees
| Activity | Consideration of application fee £ | 3 year fee £ |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping or training animal for exhibition | 246 | 1650 |
A pet shop licence is needed if you want to run a business selling animals as pets. This includes:
- commercial selling of pet animals including pet shops
- businesses selling animals over the internet
How to apply for a pet shop licence
Clock Completing this form takes around 30 minutes
Before you apply
Before applying you will need to check the licence requirements.
You are advised to undertake an assessment against the licence conditions prior to application or inspection. This is to prepare for your licence inspection and identify areas for improvement that you can implement in order to fully comply with conditions and/or meet the higher standards. This will improve both welfare standards and help you to achieve a higher star rating.
To assist you, self-assessment forms are available which includes guidance on how to meet each condition. It will also help to speed up the licence process if you submit any documented policies, procedures etc. with your application.
Licence fees
| Activity | Consideration of application fee £ | 1 year fee £ | 2 year fee £ | 3 year fee £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling animals as pets (single species) | 262 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
| Selling animals as pets (multiple species) | 328 | 550 | 1100 | 1650 |
A licence must be obtained before keeping a dangerous wild animal or setting up a zoo.
Examples of dangerous wild animals include:
- wild catteries
- primates
- wild dogs, eg wolves
- certain pigs, eg wild boar
- marsupials
How to apply for a Zoo or a dangerous wild animals licence
For a zoo licence or to keep a dangerous or wild animal, The legislation is complex so in order to clarify whether you need a licence, you should contact the Animal Health Team.
Licence fees
A vet inspection is also needed. The fees for the inspection are set by the vet and must be paid by the applicant.
| Activity | 2 year licence £ |
|---|---|
| Dangerous Wild Animals Licence | 1100 |
Fees
| Activity | Cost for consideration of application |
|---|---|
| Request for re-inspection | 246 |
Fees
| Activity | Consideration of application fee £ |
|---|---|
| Minor variation of licence | 37 |
| Major variation of licence | See appropriate consideration of application |
| Franchise model | Price on application |
Under Regulation 13 of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, local authorities can charge fees for:
- considering an application, including any inspections
- compliance checks on existing licence holders, this includes the costs of inspections
- enforcement costs against an unlicensed operator doing licensable activities
- compiling and submitting data needed by the Secretary of State
Prior to setting our fees we have consulted the following documents to ensure our fees are reasonable and fair:
- Open for business: LGA guidance on locally set licence fees
- Complying with Provision of Services Regulations for businesses and Competent Authorities
- Regulators' Code
- Local Government Animal Welfare Group
Our Fees have been calculated as follows:
- Consideration of application fee- The cost of processing the application, including the initial inspection and through to determination
- Licence fee- The cost of running and enforcement of the licensing activity, including complaint investigations and any mid-term inspection visits
Vet inspection and associated fees, apply in addition to the above with respect to the initial inspection of dog breeding establishments and annually for Hiring of Horses.
The consideration of application fee and vet inspection fees are non-refundable should your application be unsuccessful. The Licence fee is only payable upon granting of a licence.
Review
Our fees are reviewed each year to ensure the fee setting process remains valid, and the correct charges have been applied. Any efficiency savings from this review will be applied directly back to the licence holder through a reduction in the licence fee.
Contact us
Applications can be returned by post to
- Kirklees Council
- Address FREE POST, Kirklees Council, Environmental Health,
- or emailed to animal.health@kirklees.gov.uk
- We accept payment by phone, please contact us on Phone 01484 221000 ext 74378