These guidance documents contain extensive information on what will be required to meet the licence conditions and what steps can be taken to meet the highest animal welfare standards. You should ensure that you have read the relevant documentation before you apply for your licence. 

Please fully complete the application form and gather together all additional documents (as stated on the application form) that you need to submit at the same time as your application.

Once completed, please email it to [email protected]

We can't accept incomplete applications forms or applications that aren't accompanied by all the required documents. 

Once we receive your complete application accompanied by the required documents, we'll contact you to take your first payment. Once we process this, your application will be considered against the standard assessment criteria, and we'll make arrangements for a site visit. Our officer carrying out the assessment will consider several factors relating to the business compliance history, complaints, animal welfare and management standards. The outcome will be used to determine if the licence will be granted. Arrangements will also be made for the visit of a veterinary surgeon, nominated by ourselves. You'll be advised of the outcome of the assessment and visit. However, please be aware that we'll require the second payment before we grant a full licence.

First payment - Application fee

This covers our costs of handling your application, carrying out an inspection and determining whether we should grant a licence.

Second payment - Granting fee

This covers the cost of issuing the licence and conducting an unannounced inspection during the licence term (as required by government guidance).

The licence will only be issued after the second payment has been made.

New fees come into force in April every year. All fees are calculated in accordance with the statutory guidance, which stipulates a full cost recovery model.

Fees are exclusive of VAT.

You can appeal if your business is refused a licence or you're unhappy with a condition attached to your licence. Furthermore, you may wish to appeal the decision of a licence review or the withdrawal of a licence.

We advise you to discuss your intention to appeal with our Inspecting Officer before a formal written appeal submission is made. Our Inspecting Officer will explain how the decision was made which may help resolve the need for a formal appeal. Should you remain unsatisfied with our decision, you can submit a formal appeal to the Magistrates Court within 21 days of our decision.