Animal licences

Jump to:


boarding

Animal boarding establishments (cats and/or dogs)

Any person who provides accommodation for other persons' cats or dogs for profit - i.e. as a business, at premises of any nature (including domestic dwellings) should be licensed by South Cambridgeshire District Council under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.

A licence will only be issued if the premises come up to the standard required by the Council and, if necessary, planning permission has been gained. (Note: there is no licensing requirement for looking after other domestic pets such as rabbits, hamsters, parrots etc and hence no conditions).

All new establishments must achieve the standard set out in the British Veterinary Association/Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Cat/Dog Boarding Establishments published in October 1995.

The licence must be displayed in the premises in a prominent position.

For further information, please email the Health and Environmental Services department.

petshop

Pet shop licensing

Any person in the business of selling animals as pets or keeping animals with a view to their being sold in the course of such a business will be classified as a pet shop.

Exemptions:

  • A person keeping or selling pedigree animals bred by him or offspring of an animal kept by him as a pet.
  • A person selling animals as pets in conjunction with a business of breeding pedigree animals. See Dog Breeding

Conditions of the licence:

  • The person carrying on a business of a pet shop must be licensed by South Cambridgeshire District Council. They may well need to comply with any planning constraints.
  • A licence will only be issued if the premises complies with the model standards for pet shops laid down by the British Veterinary Association/CIEH.
  • A licence for a new business will not be issued until the premises have been inspected and will need to be revisited when stocked.
  • At least one person (e.g. owner of the business) must have a suitable qualification (e.g. City & Guilds Pet Store Management Certificate).
  • The licence must be displayed in the retail premises in a prominent position. The licence will list what animals may be sold and at what density. (We try to discourage the sale of cats/kittens and dogs/puppies).

Fee for pet shop licensing, annual licence, 2 charges apply: i) basic shops, ii) shop selling exotic/dangerous wild animals.
Increases 1st April each year and runs 1st January to 31st December.

For further information, please email the Health and Environmental Services department.

breeding

Breeding of Dogs Act 1973

A breeding establishment is defined as:

  • any premises where the business of breeding dogs for sale is carried on,
  • where four or more bitches which each produce a litter in a year with the intention of selling the puppies.

It is an offence for a person to keep a breeding establishment for dogs without a licence from the local authority. In deciding if a person is carrying on a business of breeding dogs for sale the Council may include:

  • any bitches used for breeding at a premises under the control of that person
  • any bitches at other premises whether under their direct or indirect control
  • sufficient evidence to come to that conclusion even if less than four bitches produce litters in a year.

Conditions of the licence:

  • The number of litters a bitch is allowed to have in her lifetime is restricted to six.
  • No more than one litter may be born in any 12 month period.
  • Bitches can not be mated if under 1 year old.

Fee for Dog Breeding licence, annual license, increases 1st April each year. Runs 1st January to 31st December.

For further information, please email the Health and Environmental Services department.

riding

Horse riding establishment

A riding establishment is a business/premises where horses/ponies are:

  • being let out on hire for riding
  • being used for riding instruction in return for payment

Conditions:

  • A person keeping a Riding Establishment requires a licence issued by the Local Authority.
  • The legislation is designed for animal and not rider welfare.
  • Health & Safety legislation often applies to rider welfare, as someone will usually be "at work".
  • An application for a new premises or renewal will not be granted without an inspection by the Council's retained veterinary surgeon who will examine each horse and look at the saddlery etc used. He will also look at the stabling, feeding, grazing etc.
  • Each premises has a different renewal date.
  • 2 months notification is required.

Exemptions:

  • Livery stables
  • Where persons are taught on their own horses

Fee for horse riding establishment licence, annual licence.

For further information, please email the Health and Environmental Services department.

wild

Keeping dangerous wild animals

Any person keeping a dangerous wild animals is required to hold a licence from the Local Authority. The schedule of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (from DEFRA) lists animals which are considered dangerous.

Conditions:

  • The annual licence can only be issued after an inspection by the Council's retained veterinary officer and must state which animal it relates to and where the animal will normally be kept and number to be permitted.
  • The licence cannot be issued if it would be unsafe to the public, the applicant is not a suitable person and conditions are not suitable and secure.
  • Conditions also relate to fire, infections etc & insurance.

Exemptions:

Fee for keeping dangerous wild animals, annual licence, increases 1st April each year. Runs from 1st January to 31st December.

For further information, please email the Health and Environmental Services department.

zoo

Zoo licensing

A zoo is an establishment where wild animals (i.e. not normally domesticated in Great Britain) are kept for exhibition to the public with or without charge on more than 7 days in any 12-month period. Under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, anyone operating a zoo will require a licence from the local Authority. The legislation is designed for animal welfare. However, Health & Safety legislation applies to zoo workers and visitors welfare.

Conditions:

  • The local Authority shall not consider an application unless at least 2 months notice of the application had been given, plus publication of details in a local and national newspaper and notice placed at the site.
  • The authority must arrange an inspection of the zoo by a consultant veterinary inspector from the list of suitable nominated inspectors by the Secretary of State.
  • Annual Health and Safety inspection carried out by EH dept (no charge).
  • Full inspection with vet every 5 years and interim inspection with vet half way through the licence period.


The Authority will need to consult:

  • Police
  • Fire Authority
  • Governing body of any national institute concerned with zoos
  • Any adjoining Local Authority if the zoo overlaps another district
  • Any person wishing to object on grounds of alleged injurious affect on the health or safety of persons living in the area

Exemptions:

  • Circuses
  • Pet shops

Fee for zoo licence, licence lasts for 6 years.

For further information, please email the Health and Environmental Services department.