UK Statutory Instrument SI 2018 England

Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018

These Regulations provide for the licensing of persons involved in England in selling animals as pets, providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs, hiring out horses, breeding dogs and keeping or training animals for exhibition.

Enforced by
DEFRA
Status
In Force
Penalty ceiling
Prosecution 1 of 61 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 60 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Licence Holder44 Any Person4 Operator2

Plus 11 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Licence Holder — also bound by 225 other Acts
Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts
Operator — also bound by 746 other Acts

What it requires

Regulations creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Schedules

Schedules

49 of 119 shown
s.sch001 Licensable activities (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authorities must apply the 'business test' to animal activitiesLocal authority
s.sch001 The circumstances which a local authority must take into account... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authority must consider profit motive when determining business activity for animal licensingLocal authority
s.sch002 General conditions (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Comply with general animal welfare licensing conditionsLicence Holder
s.sch002 Licence display Regulated
  • Display your animal activities licence prominently on premises and websiteLicence Holder
s.sch002 Emergencies Regulated
  • Have a written emergency plan and keep animals safeAny Person
s.sch002 Records Regulated
  • Keep records available for inspection for at least three yearsLicence Holder
s.sch002 Use, number and type of animal Regulated
  • Only use animals specified in licence and keep numbers reasonableLicence Holder
s.sch002 Staffing Regulated
  • Provide sufficient competent staff and written training policyLicence Holder
s.sch002 Suitable environment Regulated
  • Provide a safe, species-appropriate environment for all animalsLicence Holder
s.sch002 Suitable diet Regulated
  • Provide suitable diet and drinking water for animalsLicence Holder
s.sch002 Monitoring of behaviour and training of animals Regulated
  • Monitor animal behaviour, provide enrichment and exercise, and train humanelyLicence Holder
s.sch002 Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease Regulated
  • Protect animals from pain, suffering, injury and diseaseLicence Holder
s.sch003 Specific conditions: selling animals as pets (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Maintain a sales register and follow pet advertising rulesLicence Holder
s.sch003 Records and advertisements Regulated
  • Keep animal records, label sick animals, and include licence details in advertsLicence Holder
s.sch003 Prospective sales: pet care and advice Regulated
  • Provide prospective animal owners with proper care information and adviceLicence Holder
s.sch003 Suitable accommodation Regulated
  • Keep animals in accommodation that minimises stress and is secureLicence Holder
s.sch003 Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease Regulated
  • Ensure animals for sale are healthy and transported safelyLicence Holder
s.sch004 Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease Regulated
  • Implement a vet-approved preventative healthcare plan for boarded dogsLicence Holder
s.sch004 Suitable environment Regulated
  • Provide a suitable environment for each boarded dogAny Person
s.sch004 Monitoring of behaviour and training Regulated
  • Provide safe equipment, daily exercise, and mental stimulation for dogsLicence Holder
s.sch004 Housing with or apart from other dogs Regulated
  • Get written consent to house dogs together and manage interactionsLicence Holder
s.sch004 Records Regulated
  • Keep detailed records of all dogs and ensure dogs wear ID tagsLicence Holder
s.sch004 Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease Regulated
  • Clean equipment before admitting dogs and implement a preventative healthcare planLicence Holder
s.sch004 Suitable environment Regulated
  • Provide a suitable environment for all cats in your careLicence Holder
s.sch004 No overnight stay Regulated
  • Do not keep any dog on the premises overnightLicence Holder
s.sch004 Monitoring of behaviour and training Regulated
  • Screen dogs before admission and ensure safe equipment and toysLicence Holder
s.sch004 Records Regulated
  • Maintain a register of dogs and provide identification when off premisesLicence Holder
s.sch004 Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease Regulated
  • Supervise dogs, implement vet health plan, minimise travel timeLicence Holder
s.sch004 Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease Regulated
  • Protect boarding cats from pain, suffering, injury and diseaseLicence Holder
s.sch004 Suitable environment Regulated
  • Provide a suitable environment for dogs in kennelsLicence Holder
s.sch004 Monitoring of behaviour and training Regulated
  • Provide safe toys, enrichment, exercise and hiding areas for dogsLicence Holder
s.sch005 Specific conditions: hiring out horses (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Maintain welfare, insurance, and safety standards for hiring out horsesLicence Holder
s.sch005 Eligibility Regulated
  • Hold relevant qualifications/experience and public liability insurance for hiring out horsesLicence Holder
s.sch005 Supervision Regulated
  • Must not leave animal activities unsupervised by under-18sLicence Holder
s.sch005 Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease Regulated
  • Keep horses healthy, fit, and suitable for hired workLicence Holder
s.sch005 Equipment Regulated
  • Ensure equipment provided to clients is safe and available for inspectionLicence Holder
s.sch006 Specific conditions: breeding dogs (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Comply with dog breeding, sales, and welfare standardsLicence Holder
s.sch006 Advertisements and sales Regulated
  • Comply with rules for advertising and selling dogsLicence Holder
s.sch006 Suitable environment Regulated
  • Provide suitable environment for breeding dogsLicence Holder
s.sch006 Monitoring of behaviour and training Regulated
  • Implement a socialisation programme and care for puppies and dogsLicence Holder
s.sch006 Housing with or apart from other dogs Regulated
  • Provide proper housing conditions for dogs, including social contact and handlingLicence Holder
s.sch006 Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease Regulated
  • Ensure health and welfare of dogs and comply with breeding and record-keeping rulesLicence Holder
s.sch007 Specific conditions: keeping or training animals for exhibition (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Comply with licensing conditions for exhibiting or training animalsLicence Holder
s.sch007 Insurance Regulated
  • Hold valid public liability insurance for animal exhibition activitiesLicence Holder
s.sch007 Suitable environment Regulated
  • Provide suitable temporary accommodation for exhibited animalsLicence Holder
s.sch007 Monitoring of behaviour and training Regulated
  • Train animals using positive reinforcement with competent staffLicence Holder
s.sch007 Housing with or apart from other animals Regulated
  • Manage animal welfare during exhibitions to prevent stress, aggression and harmOperator
s.sch007 Records Regulated
  • Keep a record of all animals used for exhibition and notify local authority of changesLicence Holder
s.sch007 Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease Regulated
  • Protect exhibited animals from pain, suffering, injury and diseaseLicence Holder
70 other schedules
s.sch001 Keeping or training animals for exhibition in the course of...
s.sch001 The activity described in paragraph 10 does not include—
s.sch001 Selling animals as pets (or with a view to their...
s.sch001 The activity described in paragraph 2 does not include—
s.sch001 Providing or arranging for the provision of accommodation for other...
s.sch001 The activity described in paragraph 4 does not include keeping...
s.sch001 Hiring out horses in the course of a business for...
s.sch001 The activity described in paragraph 6 does not include any...
s.sch001 Either or both of the following— (a) breeding three or...
s.sch001 The activity described in paragraph 8 does not include—
s.sch002 Animal handling and interactions
s.sch003 Interpretation
s.sch003 Purchase and Sale of animals
s.sch004 Interpretation
s.sch004 Interpretation
s.sch004 Home
s.sch004 Suitable diet
s.sch004 Interpretation
s.sch004 Suitable environment
s.sch004 Suitable diet
s.sch004 Housing apart from other dogs
s.sch004 Monitoring of behaviour and training of cats
s.sch004 Records
s.sch004 Interpretation
s.sch004 Records
s.sch005 Interpretation
s.sch005 Suitable environment
s.sch005 Suitable diet
s.sch006 Suitable diet
s.sch007 Emergencies
s.sch008 A person who has at any time held a licence...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under section 6(2) of the...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under section 3(3) of the...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under section 4(3) of the...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under section 3(3) of the...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under section 5(3) of the...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under section 1(1) of the...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under section 4(2) of the...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under section 3 of the...
s.sch008 A person who has at any time held a licence...
s.sch008 A person who has at any time held a licence...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under section 33 of the...
s.sch008 A person who has at any time held a licence...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under section 34 of the...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under section 40(1) and (2)...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under section 4(1) of the...
s.sch008 A person who is disqualified under Article 33A of the...
s.sch009 Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925
s.sch009 Breeding of Dogs Act 1991
s.sch009 Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999
s.sch009 Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000
s.sch009 Courts Act 2003
s.sch009 Criminal Justice Act 2003
s.sch009 Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008
s.sch009 Deregulation Act 2015
s.sch009 Pet Animals Act 1951
s.sch009 Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
s.sch009 Riding Establishments Act 1964
s.sch009 Breeding of Dogs Act 1973
s.sch009 Local Government Act 1974
s.sch009 Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
s.sch009 Zoo Licensing Act 1981
s.sch009 Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
s.sch010 Performing Animals Rules 1925
s.sch010 Sale of Dogs (Identification Tag) Regulations 1999
s.sch010 Breeding of Dogs (Licensing Records) Regulations 1999
s.004 Conditions of grant or renewal of a licence Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authorities must inspect premises and decide on licence applicationsLocal authority
s.007 Duty to assist in the taking of samples from animals Regulated
  • Assist inspectors with animal identification and samplingOperator
s.008 Hiring out horses: requirement for annual inspection of premises Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authority must appoint a vet for annual horse hiring inspectionsLocal authority
s.010 Inspector's report Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authority must arrange and submit an inspector's reportLocal authority
s.012 Death of a licence holder Regulated
  • Notify the local authority of a licence holder's deathAny Person
s.013 Fees Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authorities may charge fees for animal activity licensingLocal authority
s.014 Guidance Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authorities must follow government guidance on animal licensingLocal authority
s.016 Procedure for suspension or variation without consent Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authority must follow strict procedures to suspend or vary a licenceLocal authority
s.017 Reinstatement of a suspended licence by a local authority Prosecution
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authority must reinstate a suspended licence once issues are fixedLocal authority

Unlimited fine

s.018 Notice of revocation Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authority must provide formal notice when revoking a licenceLocal authority
s.019 Obstruction of inspectors Regulated
  • Do not obstruct animal welfare inspectorsAny Person
s.029 Provision of information to the Secretary of State Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authorities must report licensing data to the Secretary of StateLocal authority
17 other provisions
s.001 Title, commencement and application
s.002 Interpretation
s.003 Licensing of operators
s.005 Period of licence
s.006 Power to take samples from animals
s.009 Variation of a licence on the application, or with the consent, of a licence holder
s.011 Persons who may not apply for a licence
s.015 Grounds for suspension, variation without consent or revocation of a licence
s.020 Offences
s.021 Powers of entry
s.022 Post-conviction powers
s.023 Notices
s.024 Appeals
s.025 Repeals and consequential amendments
s.026 Revocations and consequential amendments
s.027 Transitional and saving provisions
s.028 Review

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