Collection

Pets: activities you need licences for

Licences you may need to get from your local council if you run a business or activities involving animals like cats, dogs and horses.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 23 October 2025

You may need to get a licence from your local council if you run a business or activities involving animals like dogs, cats and horses.

Licences

• Boarding for cats or dogs licence (England)
  • 4 November 2020
  • Guidance
• Dog breeding licence (England)
  • 4 November 2020
  • Guidance
• Selling animals as pets licence (England)
  • 2 February 2021
  • Guidance
• Keeping or training animals for exhibition licence (England)
  • 4 November 2020
  • Guidance
• Hire out horses licence (England)
  • 4 November 2020
  • Guidance

Guidance for local authority inspectors

• Animal activities licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities
  • 31 May 2025
  • Statutory guidance

Published 23 October 2025