Pet Shops

Under the Pet Animals Act 1951, persons selling vertebrate animals (including fish) require a pet animal licence to operate legally. This Authority is responsible for enforcing this legislation and issuing pet shop licenses to anyone trading in pet animals. For more information, please browse the links below:

• How to apply
• Our duty
• Planning permission

For more information, please contact our Licensing section at the Civic Centre on (0115) 901 3971, email licensing@gedling.gov.uk or visit our Licensing homepage.

How to apply

Licence applications must be accompanied by the annual license fee, currently set at £84.00 (April 2010 to March 2011). Your application is also subject to conditions to ensure the welfare of the animals.

To make an application, please return the form below to the address provided:

• Pet Animals Application PDF (157 KB)

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.

Apply via ELMS for your pet shop licence here.

Our duty

Upon receipt of your application, the premises will be inspected by a licensing officer and a veterinary surgeon 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.

Planning permission

For new pet shops planning permission may be required. Further information on this can be obtained from our Planning section. For more information, please visit our Building Control homepage.

Back to top