Pet Shop Licence

Anyone wishing to sell vertebrate animals (including fish) require a pet animal licence issued under Pet Animals Act 1951 from the local authority where the business is located.

How to apply

Licence applications must be accompanied by the annual license fee, currently set at £86.00 (April 2011 to March 2012). The licence is also subject to conditions to ensure the welfare of the animals kept for sale at the premises.

If after making your application you feel you have not been contacted after a reasonable period of time please firstly contact us as detailed above. Also if you are planning to extend the range of animals to be sold on the licence please contact us well beforehand to discuss the proposals.

Our duty

Upon receipt of your application, the premises will be inspected by an officer to ensure:

Animals will at all times be kept in accommodation suitable as respects size, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness
Animals will be adequately supplied with food and drink and visited at suitable intervals
Animals will not be sold at too early an age
All reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent the spread among animals of infectious diseases
Appropriate steps will be taken in the case of fire or other emergency

We may also require the specialist advice of a veterinary surgeon, especially in cases where exotic pets are sold. Any costs associated with this will be recharged to the applicant.

The Service will also investigate any complaints made about licensed premises.