Overview
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 have changed the way certain activities involving animals are licensed and regulated.
Which activities need a licence?
Any person or business operating the following activities will need to apply for a licence:
- selling animals as pets
- providing or arranging provision of boarding for cats or dogs, which includes:
- hiring out horses
- dog breeding
- keeping or training animals for exhibition
Zoos and dangerous wild animals will continue to be licensed under the existing legislation.
Anyone carrying out the activities above without the relevant licence could be prosecuted and face imprisonment of up to 6 months, receive a fine, or both.