Apply for a dog breeding establishment licence

Type of licence	Administration and inspection fee	Licence fee	Total fee
Breeding dogs	£450	£55.50	£505.50
Minor variation e.g. amend animals on licence	£25 per animal up to a maximum of 5 animals	N/A	£25 per animal up to a maximum of 5 animals
Re-assessment of star rating	£81.50 per hour	N/A	£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.

You should read the:

• full information on the law surrounding Animal Activity Licenses
• animal activities licensing statutory guidance on GOV.UK

Conditions

We will arrange an inspection of your premises before you get a licence. We may carry out additional inspections at any time after it’s granted.

You must prove that you can meet the licence conditions. These include showing that the dogs are:

• kept in suitable accommodation
• provided with adequate food, drink and bedding
• exercised regularly
• transported in safe and comfortable conditions
• protected in case of an emergency, like a fire
• protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease

You’ll also need to:

• keep any records ready for inspection, for example a register of your dogs and all puppies
• display the licence number in any advertising
• display the licence clearly on the premises

Fines and penalties

If you or your business breeds dogs without a licence you could go to prison for up to 6 months or get an unlimited fine. You could also get an unlimited fine if you break the conditions of your licence.

You will need the following to complete this application:

• a plan of the premises
• a copy of your insurance policy
• operating procedures
• risk assessments
• infection control procedures
• relevant qualifications
• training records
• all documents relating to 9.1 of the conditions
• emergencies as per 10.1 of the conditions

Begin your application

You will need to register for an account on our licencing website before you can apply.

Register now

If you already have an account, you can login and apply.

Login and apply now

Once you submit your application:

1. an officer will contact you to discuss your application and arrange an inspection, accompanied by a vet we appoint. 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
2. officers will assess:
   • accommodation and facilities
   • health and welfare of breeding dogs
   • record-keeping and documentation
   • emergency plans and insurance
3. if approved, your licence and star rating will be issued and a paper copy will be sent to you
4. your licence must be displayed publicly and on any website used for your business 

Star Rating System

The star rating shows how well a business meets animal welfare standards and how reliably it’s run. A higher rating (up to 5 stars) means better welfare and lower risk, and it allows for a longer licence period. 

Your business will be rated from 1 to 5 stars, based on:

• welfare standards (minimum vs higher standards)
• risk assessment (compliance history)

Higher ratings (4 or 5 stars) mean:

• you meet all required and at least 50% of optional higher standards
• you qualify for a longer licence (up to 3 years)
• you pay lower fees and are inspected less frequently 

Lower ratings (1 or 2 stars) may result from minor failings or being a new applicant.

Appealing your rating

If you're unhappy with your rating, you can appeal. Start by contacting the inspecting officer to see if the matter can be resolved informally. If you're still unhappy with the outcome, you can send a formal appeal by email to Environmental Health. You must do this within 21 days of getting your licence. Your appeal will be looked at by someone who wasn’t involved in your original inspection or rating.

Requesting a re-assessment

If you've made improvements and want a new rating, you can ask for a re-inspection. Just email Environmental Health and include:

• what changes you’ve made
• any evidence to support your request

There’s a fee for this service, and the re-inspection should happen within 3 months. Keep in mind that your new rating could be higher or lower.

Renewal applications process

Licence holders should submit a renewal application no less than 10 weeks before the expiry date of their current licence. This allows sufficient time for inspections and processing to ensure continuity of the licence. If you do not wish to renew your licence please let us know. 

Useful Links

Apply for a Dog Breeding Licence
DEFRA Statutory Guidance for Dog Breeding