Animal licensing
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, came into effect 1 October 2018 for:
- pet shops
- animal boarding establishments (commercial boarding kennels, catteries, home dog boarding, dog day care)
- dog breeding establishments
- riding establishments
- keepers and trainers of performing animals (certificate of registration previously requirement)
The regulations provide licence conditions and guidance.
You can find out more about the legislation and guidance on the , including:
- Procedural guidance for licensing
- Guidance for the selling animals as pets (pet shops)
- Guidance for boarding cats
- Guidance for boarding dogs in kennels
- Guidance for home dog boarding
- Guidance for dog day care
- Guidance for dog breeding
- Guidance for hiring out horses (riding establishments)
- Guidance for exhibiting animals (performing animals)
Page last updated: 21 February 2025