On 1 October 2018 new legislation reformed animal welfare licensing including
- the sale of animals
- breeding dogs
- hiring horses
- boarding cats
- boarding dogs
- home boarding dogs
- day care for dogs
- keeping or training animals for performance
Businesses operating under current licences will be able to continue to do so until the expiry date of their licence. The definition of existing licensable activities has been amended, additionally new activities have been added. A single licence known as an 'animal activity licence', with nationally set licence conditions will apply.
On 6 April 2020 The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 known in short as Lucy's Law made it unlawful for the sales of puppies and kittens (under six months in both cases) to be undertaken by anyone other than the breeder.
Businesses must be given a star rating, ranging from one to five that must be listed on the licence. Safeguards including an appeal procedure and a mechanism for requesting a reinspection when improvements have been made will apply. The star rating determines the length of the licence from one to three years (except keeping/training animals for exhibition which must be granted for three years). The cost is the same regardless of the licence length, rewarding compliant businesses and driving up standards in the sector.
Full details are available in the guidance document.
A public register is available. If you have any concerns or further questions please contact the team.
Telephone: 01932 838383
Email: aal@runnymede.gov.uk
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