Register of Animal Welfare Licences
On this webpage (under Related Documents) you will find our animal welfare licensing registers which include the star rating where applicable. The registers on this webpage are updated monthly.
The law says people must hold an animal welfare licence from the Council to run a business in the following categories:
· Keeping/training animals for exhibition
· A cattery or dog boarding kennels (including day and overnight boarding)
· Breeding puppies
· Horse-riding establishment (hire horses/giving riding lessons for payment/beach donkeys) or
· Run a pet shop
Star Rating System: The star rating system for animal welfare licences (excluding licences for keeping/training animals for exhibition) is a risk-based system. Star ratings of 1 to 5 can be awarded. The star rating achieved takes into account the level of risk and whether a licence applicant achieves the 'minimum standard' conditions or the 'higher standards' as laid out in the Schedules of The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 and the DEFRA guidance issued on these Regulations. The ratings are as follows:
1 Star - Failing to meet the minimum standards but with only minor failings (for example, lack of paperwork).
2 Star - Minimum standards are being achieved.
3 Star - Minimum standards are being achieved.
4 Star - Higher standards are being achieved.
5 Star - Higher standards are being achieved.
Please Note: Most new businesses and/or businesses which have been licensed for less than 1 year are automatically categorised as 'High Risk' therefore the highest star rating achievable is 4.