From 1 October 2018, new legislation reformed animal welfare licensing with a single type of licence known as an Animal Activity Licence with nationally-set conditions being introduced.
This guidance should help you in making your licence application. Please contact us if you have any questions before you start up a business.
Businesses required to hold an Animal Activity Licence
Animal boarding
A licence is required for providing or arranging boarding for other people’s dogs or cats in the course of a business, on any premises where the provision of that accommodation is the purpose of a business. The following activities are included:
- boarding for cats
- boarding kennels for dogs
- home boarding for dogs
- day care for dogs.
The introduction of the regulations now makes the arranging of boarding for dogs or cats a licensable activity, as well as providing boarding.
Pet shops (including the sale of pet animals on the internet)
A licence is required by anyone selling animals as pets, either directly or with a view to them later being sold as pets, in the course of a business. The scope of this includes the business of wholesale/pet shop supplier as a licensable activity, as well as anyone keeping animals in the course of a business with a view to them being sold or resold.
The exceptions to this are:
- the selling of animals in the course of an aqua cultural business inspected (by CEFAS) and authorised under The Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009
- the breeding of dogs to the extent that you require a licence relevant to this activity, rather than a pet sales licence.
Hiring out horses
A licence is required for the hiring out of horses in the course of a business for either of the following:
- riding
- riding lessons.
Exemptions to this are any activity solely for military or police, or involving students studying for a veterinary degree under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.
For the activity of hiring out horses, there is a requirement for an annual inspection by a RCVS listed veterinarian, regardless of the total length of the licence.
Dog breeders
The test for dog breeding as a licensable activity is either or both of the following:
- the breeding of three or more litters in any 12-month period
- the breeding and advertising of a business of selling dogs.
Exemptions include:
- keeping a dog on any premises as a requirement of the Animal Health Act 1981
- breeding assistance dogs under Section 173 of the Equality Act 2010
- if documentary evidence can be produced to show none of the three litters bred have been sold.
Keeping or training animals for the purpose of exhibition, encounters or performance
- If a person keeps or trains animals for exhibition in the course of a business, for the purpose of education or entertainment, a licence is required. This includes exhibition to any audience or any filming/ photo shoots which enables the display of such images.
- Exemptions include animals kept and trained for military, police or sporting purposes, any activity permitted under The Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012 or the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.
How to apply for an Animal Activities Licence
To apply for your licence download and complete the appropriate application form below. Information is provided on the form on where to send it to and how to make payment. You will then be contacted by the City of London’s, Animal Welfare Service who carry out the Star Rating Scheme inspections for us.
Further information on the Star Rating Scheme and can be found in this guidance note.
Application form
Application form for animal activities licence (docx 96KB)
Application form for animal activities licence (pdf 222KB)
Application for a performing animals licence: Contact foodandsafety@lbhf.gov.uk for further advice.
National guidance and conditions for animal activities establishments
It is important that you read and understand the relevant guidance note which includes the general conditions set by the legislation which you will be inspected against as follows.
Further information on the national guidance for animal activities establishments can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Animal establishment licence fees 2023-24
-
Animal boarding establishments (dogs and cats)
New licence
Part A - Application fee: £530.50
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £713.70Renewal
Part A - Application fee: £391.40
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £574.60 -
New licence
Part A - Application fee: £539
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £722.20Renewal
Part A - Application fee: £392.50
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £575.70 -
New licence
Part A - Application fee: £458.80
Part B - Ongoing costs: (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £642Renewal
Part A - Application fee: £314.40
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £497.60 -
Animal boarding establishments - single species
New licence
Part A - Application fee: £450.30
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £633.50Renewal
Part A - Application fee: £314.40
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £497.60 -
Dangerous wild animals (commercial)
New licence
Part A - Application fee: £539
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £722.20Renewal
Part A - Application fee: £394.60
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £577.80 -
Dangerous wild animals (domestic)
New licence
Part A - Application fee: £458.80
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £642Renewal
Part A - Application fee: £314.40
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £497.60 -
New licence
Part A - Application fee only required: £366.80
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): N/A
Application total: £366.80Renewal
Part A - Application fee only required: £300.60
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): N/A
Application total: £300.60 -
New licence
Part A - Application fee: £530.50
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £713.70Renewal
Part A - Application fee: £392.50
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £575.70 -
Riding establishments (based on 1-21 horses)
Part A - Application fee: £705.90
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £889.10 -
Home boarders/day care (up to 6 dogs)
New licence
Part A - Application fee: £351.80
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £535Renewal
Part A - Application fee: £250.30
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £433.50 -
New licence
Part A - Application fee: £351.80
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £535Renewal
Part A - Application fee: £314.40
Part B - Ongoing costs (visits, enforcement, etc): £183.20
Application total: £497.60
The fee for the reassessment of a star rating is £430.80.
How to pay
The fee must be paid before or at the time of application. Payment can be made by telephone - call 020 8753 1081 to make payment by Switch, Delta, Visa or MasterCard.
Complaints about businesses providing animal activities services or care
You should contact us if you have any concern businesses providing animal activities services.
Planning permission
You should check that your business premises has the correct planning permission to lawfully provide animal activities services.
General data protection regulations
For information on general data protection regulations and how we manage your data please see our privacy notice.
Public register of licensed animal activities establishments
We maintain a public register of all the businesses which hold an animal activity licence, a copy of which is available below. The register is updated on a regular basis.
H&F public register of all the businesses which hold an animal activity licence.
Dangerous and wild animals
The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 and a schedule included with the Act contains a list of the various animals classed as "dangerous wild animals". In addition to powers of inspection, the Act also gives the council powers to seize any animal being kept on premises which are unlicensed. Zoos, pet shops and circuses are exempt from the provisions of the Act as these premises are subject to separate licensing requirements.
The keeping of certain species of wild animals is controlled by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. This specifies that:
No person may keep a dangerous wild animal without having first obtained a licence from their local authority (council).
Animals requiring a licence are listed in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) Order 1984.
Please contact us for further information and guidance. It is an offence to keep a scheduled dangerous and wild animal without a licence.
Professional dog walkers
Further information on how to obtain a licence to walk dogs for financial gain in our parks.
Animal Welfare Charter
The council supports the view that all animals have a right to life free from cruel treatment and unnecessary suffering. This charter has been adopted by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham to reflect the concerns of the administration and all residents who care about animal welfare.
Animal Welfare Charter (pdf 190KB)
Other sources of animal welfare information
Contact details
Hammersmith & Fulham Council
The Environment Department
Food and Safety Team
Hammersmith Town Hall
King Street
London
W6 9JU
020 8753 1081 - lines open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
foodandsafety@lbhf.gov.uk