Animal Licences
Premises where animals are to be kept or cared for need to be licensed by the council. This is to ensure the health and welfare of animals, prevent the spread of disease, and to ensure safety to the public.
Licensing of activities involving animals
The licence covers:
- Dog breeding
- Animal boarding
- Dog kennels
- Cat boarding
- Dog day care
- Home dog boarding
- Hiring out horses
- Selling animals as pets
- Keeping or training animals for exhibition
Dangerous Wild Animals
Animals can include:
- Wild cats
- Marsupials
- Venomous animals
- Wild dogs, such as wolves
- Certain pigs, such as wild boars
Primate Licensing
From 6 April 2026, anyone privately keeping a primate in England must hold a licence
Zoo Licence
A licence is required if:
- Wild animals are kept for exhibition to the public
- With or without a fee for admission
- It is open for more than seven days a week in any 12 month period
Grazing Land Licence
There are a number of sites owned by the council that are available to rent for horse grazing. There is currently a waiting list, and land is only offered on a 364 day agreement.
The purpose of licences and inspections are to ensure that:
- Animals are adequately exercised
- Animals are adequately supplied with suitable food, drink, and bedding material
- Appropriate steps will be taken for the protection of the animals in case of fire or other emergency
- Accommodation is suitable in terms of size, construction, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness
- All reasonable precautions are taken to prevent and control the spread among animals of infectious or contagious diseases
The Licence Finder tool can help you find which licence you will need in order to carry out your business.
Registration of kept birds
All keepers of birds must register their premises. The exception are birds such as budgies, parrots, cockatiels and finches, where birds are fully housed with no access to the open air.
- Register as a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds
- Register as a keeper of 50 or more poultry or other captive birds
If you need help to register:
- Email: customer.registration@apha.gov.uk
- Telephone: 03000 200 301
Movement of animals
In order to control the spread of disease, such as Foot and Mouth, a general licence is needed for the movement of animals. The most common animal movements include:
- Cattle
- Pigs
- Sheep
- Goats
- Deer
The conditions of movement vary according to the type of animals, destination, and the type of trip. It also ensures animal welfare, such as being properly fed and watered, are not overcrowded, are fit to travel, and vehicles that are suitable to transport them in.
These conditions are constantly being altered and so it is vital that you make yourself aware of the latest conditions when applying for a movement licence.
See conditions and apply for a General Licence for the movement of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and deer.
Importation of animals
There are number of strict regulations to follow whether you are importing animals or pets into the UK or into an overseas country. Quarantine regulations are in force in the UK and it is illegal to disobey them. Failure to comply could result in the animal in quarantine, re-exported or destroyed, and it's owner prosecuted.
Further advice on importation of animals is available from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Our responsibilities for animal welfare
The council has responsibility relating to the welfare of all captive, domestic animals and wild animals. This is to ensure that all animals health and well being standards are being met for a better quality of life, and the local community is being educated to meet these standards.
Right of appeal
Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence or by any conditions to which a licence is subject may appeal to the Magistrates Courts who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks appropriate.
Inspection of animal businesses
We carry out inspections to ensure that premises are suitable and that the licence conditions are met. Businesses will be inspected as a routine part of the licensing process, this inspection may be undertaken with a vet where required.
Animal welfare concerns
If you are concerned about the welfare of any animal, the RSPCA investigates complaints of cruelty or neglect.