Animal licensing

Under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, a licence is required to provide day care for dogs as part of a business.

When is a licence needed?

A licence is required if you are:

• providing day care for dogs as part of a business in a premises built or altered for such purpose, and are earning a commission or any fee (even if small)
• arranging day care for dogs as part of a business and are earning a commission or fee

Are there any exceptions?

The following examples are considered in the guidance as out of scope and do not require a licence:

• If no payment is made to the day carer they are not required to have a licence. However, if they are caring for a dog on behalf of a business who earns a fee for arranging the care, they would have to be inspected in order for the business’ licence to be granted.
• If the dog remains in its own home, for example, dog sitting
• If the primary purpose of the dog being cared for is something else, for example, a veterinary practice where the dog is being boarded as part of its medical treatment

What should I consider?

Full details are available in the guidance notes below: 

• Guidance notes for providing day care for dogs 

The following may also be of special interest:

• If you provide day care solely in the home this comes under the home boarding licence activity and those conditions must be met. A separate day care licence is not required unless you also have a purpose built or altered premises specifically for day care.
• Day care dogs must not be left unattended for any period
• The number of dogs permitted on your premises is as stated on your licence 
• No further dogs may be allowed on to the day care premises for any period of time. This includes dogs that are not being care for, such as those being walked only.

How to apply

Complete the following online form:

Apply for an animal activity licence

How to pay

The application fee is payable when you have completed the online form. Only the application fee needs to be paid at this time. The grant fee for the issue of the licence is payable following inspection.

Fees

Caring for dogs

Up to six animals:

• Application fee including renewals - £170.00
• Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
• Licence grant fee for one year - £250.00
• Licence grant fee for two years - £330.00
• Licence grant fee for three years - £440.00

Seven to ten animals:

• Application fee including renewals - £190.00
• Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
• Licence grant fee for one year - £270.00
• Licence grant fee for two years - £360.00
• Licence grant fee for three years - £440.00

11+ animals:

• 11 to 30 animals - application fee including renewals - £205.00
• 31 to 60 animals – application fee including renewals - £240.00
• 61 to 99 animals – application fee including renewals - £280.00
• 100+ animals – application fee including renewals - £320.00 
• Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
• Licence grant fee for one year - £320.00
• Licence grant fee for two years - £440.00
• Licence grant fee for three years - £520.00

Variation of licence

• Application fee - £80.00
• Vets fees where applicable and recharged at cost plus £85 inspection fee if required.

Minor variation

• Minor administrative change (for example, name change or additional carer name) - £20.00

Transfer due to death of licensee

• Application fee - £80.00

Re-evaluation of star rating

• Application fee - £49.60
• Inspection fee - £93.70

Copy of licence

• Application fee - £11.60

Combination of licensable activities

• Application fee - Highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee.
• Additional costs - Vets fees as required recharged at cost.
• Licence grant fee for one year - Highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee.
• Licence grant fee for two years - Highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee.
• Licence grant fee for three years - Highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee.