Animal licensing
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 came into force on 1 October 2018. Anyone requiring a licence for the following activities needs to apply to Southampton City Council.
- Home boarding
- Pet shops
- Animal boarding establishments
- Breeding dogs
- Riding establishments
- Performing animals
- Zoos
- Dangerous wild animals
- Keeping or training animals for exhibition
You will need to read the guidance below, including the procedural guidance which describes the rating system. Each premises will be risk rated and given a star rating from 1 to 5. The star rating will determine if your premises is granted a licence for one, two or three years.
How do I apply?
To apply for a licence, please choose the appropriate licence from the list above. If you already have a licence you do not need to do anything until your existing licence expires. We will write to you asking you to renew your licence.
Email: animal.welfare@southampton.gov.uk
Guidance
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has published guidance documents to help businesses meet the new requirements set out under the regulations. All premises will be inspected before a licence is granted.
- Regulations- Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) 2018
- Procedural Guidance for Local Authorities
- Change log 30.11.18
- Dog Breeding Guidance April 2020 HIGHLIGHTED CHANGES
- Providing Boarding for Cats Guidance Revised 30.10
- Providing Boarding for Dogs Guidance Revised 30.11
- Providing Home Boarding for Dogs Guidance Revised 30.1
- Providing Day Care for Dogs Guidance Revised 30.11
- Selling Animals as Pets April 2020 HIGHLIGHTED CHANGES
- Hiring Out Horses Revised 30.1
- Defra Guidance Notes for Exhibiting Animal
- Fee Setting Non Statutory Guidance for Local Authority Inspectors
