You need an Animal Activity Licence licence to:
- sell animals as pets
- board cats or dogs
- provide home boarding (including day care) for dogs
- hire out horses
- breed dogs
- keep or train animals for exhibition
You need a separate licence to keep dangerous wild animals or run a zoo.
Before you apply
You should read the:
Your business must comply with the conditions and will be assessed before the license is granted to make sure they can meet them.
Apply for a licence
We will process your application once the fee has been paid. Contact us to make a payment.
Licence fees
Contact us to make a payment.
Type of licence |
Administration and inspection fee |
Licence fee |
Total fee |
Boarding in kennels for dogs |
£450 |
£55.50 |
£505.50 |
Home boarding for dogs in a domestic setting (this may be during the day or overnight) |
£450 |
£55.50 |
£505.50 |
Providing commercial day care for dogs |
£450 |
£55.50 |
£505.50 |
Selling animals as pets |
£450 |
£55.50 |
£505.50 |
Keeping or training animals for exhibition |
£450 |
£55.50 |
£505.50 |
Breeding dogs |
£450 plus vet fee* |
£55.50 |
£505.50 plus vet fee* |
Hiring out horses |
£450 plus vet fee* |
£55.50 |
£505.50 plus vet fee* |
Providing boarding for cats |
£450 |
£55.50 |
£505.50 |
Substantial licence variation |
£170 |
Not applicable |
£170 |
Minor variation e.g. amend animals on licence |
£25 per animal up to a maximum of 5 animals |
Not applicable |
£25 per animal up to a maximum of 5 animals |
Reassessment of star rating |
£81.50 per hour |
Not applicable |
£81.50 per hour |
* Vet fees are payable by the applicant and recharged post inspection to the applicant by the council. A licence will not be granted until fees are paid in full. If no licence is granted only the licence fee will be refunded.
**Where two activities are undertaken, fees payable will be the highest total fee plus 50% of any subsequent activity. This does not apply where the activity is a zoo or dangerous wild animal application.
Check if someone has a licence
If someone is providing any of the services listed under the Animal Activity Licence, you can check if they have a licence with us.
Contact us to report any concerns that someone is operating these services without a licence.
Contact us