Animal welfare licences

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2019
New legislation was introduced in April 2020 to tackle the low-welfare, high volume supply of puppies and kittens, by banning their commercial third-party sale in England.
'Lucy's Law' means that anyone wanting to get a new puppy or kitten in England must now buy direct from a breeder, or consider adopting from a rescue centre instead. Licensed dog breeders are required to show puppies interacting with their mothers in their place of birth. If a business sells puppies or kittens without a licence, they could receive an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months.
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
These regulations provide a single licensing regime for a number of animal activities.
The following activities need to be licensed:
- Selling animals as pets
- Providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats and dogs (including day care)
- Hiring out horses
- Breeding dogs
- Keeping or training animals for exhibition
The Regulations set nationally applicable conditions that licence holders must comply with. A ratings system has been introduced whereby licence holders will be given a rating dependant on specified criteria.
The Regulations and further guidance can be found here Animal Activities Licensing Guidance
An application form can be downloaded here Application Form (PDF) [288KB]
The fees for animal licences can be viewed here Table of Fees (PDF) [16KB]
A list of existing animal activity licences can be viewed on our Public Register page
If you have a licence for "hiring of horses" and wish to change the schedule of animals please complete this form Application to vary schedule (PDF) [82KB]
Contact us
If you have any queries, or require help with your application, please contact the Licensing Team.
- email: licensing@torridge.gov.uk
- phone: 01237 428700
- post: Licensing Team, Torridge District Council, Riverbank House, Bideford EX39 2QG