Pet shop licence

Licence summary

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

Applicants for a pet shop licence must not be disqualified from keeping a pet shop.

Regulation Summary

A summary of the regulation relating to this licence

Application Evaluation Process

Local authorities must have regard to the following when considering an application for a pet shop licence:

• that animals will be kept in suitable accommodation, for example in regards to temperature, size, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness
• adequate food and drink will be provided to the animals and they will be visited at suitable intervals
• that any mammalian animals will not be sold too young
• that steps are taken to prevent disease spreading among the animals
• that adequate fire and emergency provisions are in place

Conditions can be attached to a licence to ensure that the above are complied with.

Will tacit consent apply?

No.Please note that tacit consent does not apply to pet shop licences, because it is in the public interest that the application is processed fully before being granted.  This means you must wait for the council to determine the application before any pet shop activities can take place.   The target completion period is 28 days.

Please contact Public Health Services prior to submitting your application to discuss your proposals.

Apply online

The fee to accompany your application is £220 pro rata and can be paid online. On receipt of a complete application your application will be acknowledged.

Apply to run a pet shop

Tell us about a change to your existing pet shop

Apply by post

Please post your application to Public Health services with the fee which is £220 pro rata. On receipt of a complete application your application will be acknowledged.

Application form for Pet Shop licence (msword, 36 KB)

Applicant complaints

Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance.

Any person who is refused a licence can appeal to the Magistrates court or, in Scotland, the Sheriff covering the area the premises is located. A court or Sheriff may give directions on the issue of a licence.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance.

Any licence holder who objects to a condition attached to a licence may appeal to the local Magistrates court or, in Scotland, the Sheriff covering the area the premises is located. A court or Sheriff may give directions on the issue of a condition.

Consumer Complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Other Redress

E.g. about noise, pollution, etc. Also should one licence holder complain about another.

EUGO (European Union Go) gives service providers and entrepreneurs from the EU (European Union) and EEA (European Economic Area) the information and support they need to set up or do business in other EU or EEA markets. Central EUGO website portal.