Pet Shop Licence

To run a business selling pet animals you need a licence from the local authority. This includes all commercial selling of pet animals, including pet shops and businesses selling animals over the internet.

Eligibility criteria

You may not apply for a pet shop licence if you have ever been disqualified from any of the following:

keeping an animal boarding establishment
keeping a pet shop under the Pet Animals Act 1951
keeping animals under the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
owning, keeping, being involved in the keeping or being entitled to control or influence the keeping of animals, dealing in animals or transporting or being involved in the transportation of animals under the Animals Welfare Act 2006
owning, keeping, dealing in or transporting animals under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

What the law says

Pet Animals Act 1951

Application process

Once an application has been received, we will arrange for an inspection of the premises by an authorised officer of the Council.

Before granting a licence, we must be satisfied that there are satisfactory arrangements in place for the safety and the welfare of the animals. If necessary we may require specialist advice of a veterinary surgeon or practitioner. Any costs associated with this are payable by the applicant.

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How long will it take you to process my application?

We aim to process your application within 28 days of receiving it. Please contact us if you have not heard from us by the end of this period. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or by using the contact details on this page.

How to apply

Apply to run a pet shop

Can I appeal if my application is refused?

Please contact us first. Any applicant who is refused a licence or wants to object to a condition on the licence can appeal to their local magistrates' court within 21 days of receiving notice of the decision.

Complaints about pet shops

If you wish to complain that a pet shop is causing a nuisance such as noise, or if you believe that there has been a breach of licence conditions, please contact us. If you are in the UK, you can also contact Consumer Direct who will give you advice. From outside the UK please contact the UK European Consumer Centre.