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:
- full information on the law surrounding Animal Activity Licenses
- animal activities licensing statutory guidance on GOV.UK
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
| Type of licence | Administration and inspection fee | Licence fee | Total fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Boarding in kennels for dogs |
£420 |
£52.50 |
£472.50 |
Home boarding for dogs |
£420 |
£52.50 |
£472.50 |
Providing day care for dogs |
£420 |
£52.50 |
£472.50 |
Selling animals as pets |
£420 |
£52.50 |
£472.50 |
Keeping or training animals for exhibition |
£420 |
£52.50 |
£472.50 |
| Breeding dogs | £420 + vet fees | £52.50 | £472.50 + vet fees |
Hiring out horses |
£420 + vet fee |
£52.50 |
£472.50 + vet fees |
Providing boarding for cats |
£420 |
£52.50 |
£472.50 |
| Licence Variation | £157.50 | n/a | £157.50 |
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.