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 + vet fee* £55.50 £505.50 + vet fee*        

Hiring out horses

£450 + vet fee*

£55.50

£505.50 + vet fee*

Providing boarding for cats

£450

£55.50

£505.50

Substantial licence variation  £170 n/a £170
Minor variation e.g. amend animals on licence £25 per animal up to a maximum of £125 n/a £25 per animal up to a maximum of £125
Reassessment 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.

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