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UK Statutory Instrument
2018
United Kingdom
Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
18 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide · 2 journeys
Penalty landscape
1 of 18 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 17 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Licence Holder 5
- Any Person 2
- Operator 1
Plus 10 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Run a retail business
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Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Supporting — topic alignment
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Licence Holders also bound by 50 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 50 duties
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 11 duties
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 7 duties
- Broadcasting Act 1990 1990 5 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 5 duties
Any Person also bound by 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 110 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 105 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 97 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 86 duties
Operators also bound by 125 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 71 duties
- Payment Services Regulations 2017 2017 41 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 34 duties
- The Quarries Regulations 1999 1999 31 duties
- Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 2015 22 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1 — Introduction
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 2 — Grant, renewal and variation with consent of a licence and inspection of premises
Conditions of grant or renewal of a licence
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must inspect premises and decide on licence applications Local authority
Duty to assist in the taking of samples from animals
- Assist inspectors with animal identification and sampling Operator
Hiring out horses: requirement for annual inspection of premises
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authority must appoint a vet for annual horse hiring inspections Local authority
Inspector's report
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authority must arrange and submit an inspector's report Local authority
Death of a licence holder
- Notify the local authority of a licence holder's death Any Person
Fees
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities may charge fees for animal activity licensing Local authority
Guidance
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must follow government guidance on animal licensing Local authority
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 3 — Enforcement and notices
Procedure for suspension or variation without consent
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authority must follow strict procedures to suspend or vary a licence Local authority
Reinstatement of a suspended licence by a local authority
Unlimited fineOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authority must reinstate a suspended licence once issues are fixed Local authority
Notice of revocation
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authority must provide formal notice when revoking a licence Local authority
Obstruction of inspectors
- Do not obstruct animal welfare inspectors Any Person
Browse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Grounds for suspension, variation without consent or revocation of a licence
Offences
Powers of entry
Post-conviction powers
Notices
Part 4 — Appeals
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Appeals
Part 5 — Repeals, revocations and consequential amendments
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 6 — Transitional and saving provisions
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 7 — Review and provision of information to the Secretary of State
Provision of information to the Secretary of State
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must report licensing data to the Secretary of State Local authority
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Review
Schedules
Licensable activities
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must apply the 'business test' to animal activities Local authority
General conditions
- Comply with general animal welfare licensing conditions Licence Holder
Specific conditions: selling animals as pets
- Maintain a sales register and follow pet advertising rules Licence Holder
Specific conditions: hiring out horses
- Maintain welfare, insurance, and safety standards for hiring out horses Licence Holder
Specific conditions: breeding dogs
- Comply with dog breeding, sales, and welfare standards Licence Holder
Specific conditions: keeping or training animals for exhibition
- Comply with licensing conditions for exhibiting or training animals Licence Holder
Browse 113 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
The circumstances which a local authority must take into account...
Keeping or training animals for exhibition in the course of...
The activity described in paragraph 10 does not include—
Selling animals as pets (or with a view to their...
The activity described in paragraph 2 does not include—
Providing or arranging for the provision of accommodation for other...
The activity described in paragraph 4 does not include keeping...
Hiring out horses in the course of a business for...
The activity described in paragraph 6 does not include any...
Either or both of the following— (a) breeding three or...
The activity described in paragraph 8 does not include—
Licence display
Emergencies
Records
Use, number and type of animal
Staffing
Suitable environment
Suitable diet
Monitoring of behaviour and training of animals
Animal handling and interactions
Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Interpretation
Records and advertisements
Prospective sales: pet care and advice
Suitable accommodation
Purchase and Sale of animals
Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Specific conditions: providing boarding for cats or dogs
Interpretation
Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Interpretation
Home
Suitable environment
Suitable diet
Monitoring of behaviour and training
Housing with or apart from other dogs
Records
Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Interpretation
Suitable environment
No overnight stay
Suitable environment
Suitable diet
Monitoring of behaviour and training
Housing apart from other dogs
Records
Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Monitoring of behaviour and training of cats
Records
Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Interpretation
Suitable environment
Monitoring of behaviour and training
Records
Interpretation
Eligibility
Supervision
Suitable environment
Suitable diet
Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Equipment
Advertisements and sales
Suitable environment
Suitable diet
Monitoring of behaviour and training
Housing with or apart from other dogs
Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Insurance
Emergencies
Suitable environment
Monitoring of behaviour and training
Housing with or apart from other animals
Records
Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Persons who may not apply for a licence
A person who has at any time held a licence...
A person who is disqualified under section 6(2) of the...
A person who is disqualified under section 3(3) of the...
A person who is disqualified under section 4(3) of the...
A person who is disqualified under section 3(3) of the...
A person who is disqualified under section 5(3) of the...
A person who is disqualified under section 1(1) of the...
A person who is disqualified under section 4(2) of the...
A person who is disqualified under section 3 of the...
A person who has at any time held a licence...
A person who has at any time held a licence...
A person who is disqualified under section 33 of the...
A person who has at any time held a licence...
A person who is disqualified under section 34 of the...
A person who is disqualified under section 40(1) and (2)...
A person who is disqualified under section 4(1) of the...
A person who is disqualified under Article 33A of the...
Repeals and consequential amendments
Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925
Breeding of Dogs Act 1991
Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999
Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000
Courts Act 2003
Criminal Justice Act 2003
Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008
Deregulation Act 2015
Pet Animals Act 1951
Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
Riding Establishments Act 1964
Breeding of Dogs Act 1973
Local Government Act 1974
Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
Zoo Licensing Act 1981
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
Revocations and consequential amendments
Performing Animals Rules 1925
Sale of Dogs (Identification Tag) Regulations 1999
Breeding of Dogs (Licensing Records) Regulations 1999
Other sections — not classified into a Part
These sections exist in the Act but the contents-of-Parts walker did not place them under a Part. Likely amendments or sections inserted out of the original Part structure.
Browse 29 other unclassified sections
Title, commencement and application
Interpretation
Licensing of operators
Conditions of grant or renewal of a licence
Period of licence
Power to take samples from animals
Duty to assist in the taking of samples from animals
Hiring out horses: requirement for annual inspection of premises
Variation of a licence on the application, or with the consent, of a licence holder
Inspector's report
Persons who may not apply for a licence
Death of a licence holder
Fees
Guidance
Grounds for suspension, variation without consent or revocation of a licence
Procedure for suspension or variation without consent
Reinstatement of a suspended licence by a local authority
Notice of revocation
Obstruction of inspectors
Offences
Powers of entry
Post-conviction powers
Notices
Appeals
Repeals and consequential amendments
Revocations and consequential amendments
Transitional and saving provisions
Review
Provision of information to the Secretary of State
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities. Sets environmental policy and works with agencies …
Connected legislation
parent Act
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Made under
Animal Welfare Act 2006 2006 Primary Act
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Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.