Animal activities
Under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, those undertaking the following activities will need an animal activities licence:
- selling animals as pets
- providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs (including day care)
- hiring out horses
- breeding dogs
- keeping or training animals for exhibition
Star rating system
Businesses must be given a star rating, ranging from one to five which must be listed on the licence. Safeguards including an appeal procedure and a mechanism for requesting a reinspection when improvements have been made will apply.
The star rating determines the length of the licence from one to three years (except keeping/training animals for exhibition which must be granted for three years). The cost is the same regardless of the licence length, rewarding compliant businesses and driving up standards in the sector.
Additional information
Contact
If you have any questions or would like to find out more information about approved welfare businesses, please contact the Environmental Health team.
Email: environmental.health@surreyheath.gov.uk (link sends email)
Phone: 01276 707100
Find out ratings of licensed establishments
Details of licensed animal activities in Surrey Heath including home boarding, horse riding establishments, performing animals, pet shops and breeders can be found on our licensed animal activities webpage.