To run a business breeding dogs, you need a licence from the council. Please read the guidance notes on what will be needed for the activity that you are providing.
Please read the guidance notes on what will be required for the activity that you are providing, view the Guidance Notes for conditions for Breeding Dogs and the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals)(England) Regulations 2018
Eligibllity criteria
An applicant must not be disqualified from any of the following at the time of the application:
A person who has at any time held a licence which was revoked under:
- regulation 15 of these regulations
- regulation 17 of the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs)(Wales) Regulations 2014
- regulation 13 of the Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012
- regulation 12 of the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010
A person who is disqualified under:
- section 33 of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011
- section 34 of the Act
- section 40(1) and (2) of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006
- section 4(1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
- Article 33A of the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983
- section 6(2) of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
- section 3(3) of the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 from keeping a breeding establishment for dogs
- section 4(3) of the Riding Establishments Act 1964 from keeping a riding establishment
- section 3(3) of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 from keeping a boarding establishment for animals
- section 5(3) of the Pet Animals Act 1951 from keeping a pet shop
- section 1(1) of the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954 from having custody of an animal
- section 4(2) of the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925
- section 3 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 from the ownership of an animal.
Before you apply
It is recommended that applicants check that they have the correct permissions to use their property or premises for the business applied for. For example, there are restrictions on running businesses in domestic Council properties and private dwellings. It is important to do this before making an application, as the application fee is not refundable.
Application fees
To apply for a Licence for the Breeding of Dogs, applicants must complete and submit an application form accompanied by the appropriate fee. The fee is split into two payments Part A payment being the application fee which is none returnable and the Part B payment being the licence grant fee which must be paid prior to a licence being granted. Further officer inspection fees may be payable if re-inspections of the premises to be licensed are required.
How to pay fees
Pay with a credit/debit card over the phone by calling 020 8825 6655
View the current fees
How to apply
Please complete the animal activity licensing form (New Application, Renewal Application and Variation Application for a Licence) that is relevant to your business and return all forms by email to Licensing@ealing.gov.uk.
Inspections
All premises will be inspected before a licence is granted by an authorised Council Officer. The premises will be assessed to ensure that the applicant can meet the licence conditions. The inspection also assesses the applicant and the premises for a risk star rating of (1 to 5 stars) which determines the duration of the licence to be granted for either a period of 1, 2 or 3 years.
The following criteria will be considered when the application is being evaluated:
- Records as required by the license conditions are kept, use number and type of animals kept in relation to the licensable activity, requirement for competent staff, the animals will be kept in a suitable environment at all times, suitable animal diets shall be provided, monitoring of behavior and training of animals, animal handling and interactions, protection of animals from pain, suffering, injury and disease and emergencies.
- All records that are required by the license conditions are available at any time for inspection by an inspector in a visible and legible form or, where any such records are stored in electronic form, in a form from which they can readily be produced in a visible and legible form. The records must be kept for at least three years beginning with the date on which the record was created.
- Suitable environment takes into account all areas, equipment and appliances and transportation to which the animals have access. All areas must prevent minimal risks of injury, illness and escape. They must be constructed in materials that are robust, safe and durable, in a good state of repair and well maintained.
- Suitable diet takes into account the provision of a suitable diet in terms of quality, quantity and frequency, provision of drinking water that is un-spoilt and free from contamination. Any new feeds must be introduced gradually to allow the animals to adjust to them.
- Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease takes into account written procedures that must be in place and implemented covering feeding regimes, cleaning regimes, transportation, the prevention of and control of the spread of disease, monitoring and ensuring the health and welfare of all the animals, the death or escape of an animal and the care of the animals following the suspension or revocation of the licence or during and following an emergency.
- Emergencies take into account a written emergency plan acceptable to the local authority, which must be in place known and available to all staff on the premises to be used for the licensable activity, and followed where necessary to ensure appropriate steps are taken to protect all the people and animals on the premises in case of fire or in case of breakdowns for essential heating, ventilation and aeration or filtration systems or other emergencies.
Tacit Consent
Tacit Consent does not apply in respect of this type of application. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within 28 days, please contact the Licensing Section on telephone number 0208 825 6655 or alternatively e-mail at Licensing@ealing.gov.uk.
Appeals: Failed application and licence holder redress
Please contact the council by phoning 020 8825 6655 or email licensing@ealing.gov.uk
If you have been refused a licence you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal in the General Regulatory Chamber. Appeals must be made within 28 days.
Customer complaints
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 of 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.
For more advice and information please contact us by e-mail Licensing@ealing.gov.uk.