Dogs and animals - Licensing
We licence a number of animal establishments which we inspect at least once a year.
Animal establishments that need licensing
There are a wide variety of places that need licences:
- riding establishments – anywhere that horses are kept to hire out or give lessons
- animal boarding establishments – kennels and catteries. Home boarding establishments, where a person runs a business of boarding dogs in his/ her home
- dog breeders – where 5 or more litters of puppies are produced for sale per year or, if less than 5 litters a year, where the breeding of puppies is considered to constitute a business
- pet shops and pet shop suppliers or animal auctions
- dangerous wild animals – there is a list of animals which an owner requires a licence to keep
- zoos – “Birdworld” is the only zoo in East Hampshire
Unlicensed premises
If you think someone is running an animal establishment without a licence you can report it to the Animal Welfare Officer on 01730 234319.
Additionally, if there are any problems with the conditions or welfare of the animals at a licensed establishment please report it to Environmental Health.
If you think that there is an animal being treated cruelly you should contact the RSPCA on 08705 555 999.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 is now in force. Regulations will be written over the next 10 years that will cover the licensing of pet shops, animal boarding establishments, riding establishments. When these regulations become law, the licensing rules for these establishments will change.
There will also be regulations written for greyhound kennels, pet fairs, animal sanctuaries and livery yards so these may require licensing in the future too.