This page provides details of the different licences you may need when dealing with animals.
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These regulations will replace a number of pieces of existing legislation and provide a new single licensing regime for a number of animal licensing activities. The guidance documents can be viewed on the links below. Businesses carrying out the following activities will need to be licensed under the new regime:
Licences held under the current system relating to pet shops, animal boarding establishments, riding establishments or dog breeding will continue to apply until the end of their current term. Licence holders will then need to make an application for a licence under the new regime and comply with the new requirements. The new regulations set nationally applicable conditions that licence holders must comply with. A ratings system will be introduced whereby licence holders will be given a rating dependant on specified criteria. Current licence holders are advised to consider the conditions contained within the new regulations which will need to be complied with. Zoos and Dangerous and Wild Animals will continue to be licensed under existing legislation. Please contact the licensing department for further information on 01670 620443 or email licensing01@northumberland.gov.uk
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animal) (England) Regulations 2018 Documents Procedural guidance notes for local authorities can be viewed here Guidance notes for conditions for breeding dogs can be viewed here Guidance notes for conditions for providing boarding in kennels for dogs can be viewed here Guidance notes for conditions for providing boarding for cats can be viewed here Guidance notes for conditions for providing home boarding for dogs can be viewed here Guidance notes for conditions for providing day care for dogs can be viewed here Guidance notes for conditions for selling animals as pets can be viewed here Guidance notes for conditions for keeping or training animals for exhibition can be viewed here Guidance notes for conditions for hiring out horses can be viewed here The new application forms for all animal licensing can be found below.
Please click here for the list of fees related to the above application forms.
In order to run a boarding kennel or cattery you need a licence from the local authority, which will detail specific conditions you must abide by. A local authority may authorise an officer, Veterinary Surgeon or practitioner to inspect the premises.
An applicant must not have had any criminal convictions resulting in them being disqualified from:
Fees will be payable for applications and conditions may be attached. The local authority will consider the following conditions when considering an application:
To apply to run an animal boarding establishment, tell us about a change to your existing circumstances or to renew your licence to run an animal boarding establishment please contact the licensing section using one of the methods below: By post: Licensing Department Business Compliance & Public Safety Unit Public Protection Service Northumberland County Council West Hartford Business Park Cramlington, NE23 3JP Email address:Licensing01@northumberland.gov.uk
Local authorities will assess the following when considering an application and conditions may be attached to a licence to ensure these are complied with:
To apply to run a pet shop, tell us about a change to your existing circumstances or to renew your licence to run a pet shop please contact the licensing section using one of the methods below: By post to: Licensing Department Business Compliance & Public Safety Unit Public Protection Service Northumberland County Council West Hartford Business Park Cramlington NE23 3JP Email address:Licensing01@northumberland.gov.uk
Applicants must be over 18 years and if in England and Wales they must not have been prosecuted and disqualified from:
In Scotland, applicants must not have been disqualified from:
Applicants must not have a disqualification under the Animal Health Act 1981 following a conviction for deliberately infecting an animal with a disease. Applicants must pay any required fee and comply with conditions that may be attached to the licence.
The local authority must consider a report from a Veterinary Surgeon or practitioner detailing the suitability of the premises, as well as the conditions of the premises and any horses. The authority will also take into account whether the applicant is suitable and qualified to hold a licence. It will assess:
The licence will also be subject to conditions:
To apply to run a riding establishment, tell us about a change to your existing circumstances or to renew your licence to run a riding establishment please contact the licensing section using one of the methods below: By post to: Licensing Department Northumberland County Council Stakeford Depot East View Stakeford NE62 5TR Email address:Licensing01@northumberland.gov.uk
The licence must be obtained from your local authority. It may be subject to fees and conditions to ensure the proper conduct of a zoo.
At least two months before you make your application, you must give notice to the local authority of your intention to apply for a zoo licence. This notice can be given in writing or electronically, and must identify:
To send notification of your intention to operate a zoo please contact the licensing section as below: By post to: Licensing Department Northumberland County Council Stakeford Depot East View Stakeford NE62 5TR Email address:Licensing01@northumberland.gov.uk The applicant must also, at least two months before making the application, publish notice of intention in one local newspaper and one national newspaper, stating:
The local authority will take into account any objections made by or on behalf of:
Before granting or refusing the licence, the local authority will consider any inspectors’ reports. They will also consult the applicant about any proposed conditions that will be attached to the licence and will make arrangements for their own inspection to be carried out – giving at least 28 days’ notice prior to this. The licence may be refused if the local authority feels:
By post to: Licensing Department Business Compliance & Public Safety Unit Public Protection Service Northumberland County Council West Hartford Business Park Cramlington NE23 3JP Email address:Licensing01@northumberland.gov.uk
If your application is refused, please contact your local authority. Following this, you may appeal to a magistrates’ court (or in Scotland to your local sheriff) within 28 days from the date the applicant received written notification of the refusal.
Please first contact your local authority. A licence holder may appeal to a magistrates’ court within 28 days from the date the licence holder receives written notification of the authority’s decision. The holder can challenge:
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