In Late April new regulations were adopted by Parliament that replace the majority of the animal welfare legislation administered by Local Authorities.

The new law came into effect on 1^st October 2018. Formal Guidance to accompany the changes has been prepared but only became available on 03.08.2018.

The new legislation is very different in the way in which the activity we licence is legislated and allows for the licensing of the following activities:

• Selling Animals as pets
• Providing Boarding for cats or dogs (Dog Kennels and Catteries)
• Home Dog Boarding
• Dog Day Care
• Hiring Out Horses (to include pony trekking, riding instruction where a mount is provided and donkey or pony rides)
• Breeding Dogs (to include where 3 or more litters are bred in 12 months or a business selling dogs is advertised)
• Keeping or Training Animals for Exhibition

Licences issued include General national conditions together with National Specific Conditions which will apply to each type of activity.

Any Licences currently in force will continue to cover Activities licensed until 31^st December 2018.

The new licences will also be subject to satisfactory inspections of premises with Riding inspections carried out by approved vets.

Fees for the new licences are yet to be set, but with licences to be issued for up to 3 years they are unlikely to remain at the current levels.

The inspector is required as part of the inspection to determine a "Star Rating" for each licence which will determine the duration of the licence and frequency of inspections. The star rating will form part of the licence which must be publicly displayed.

The condition that must be met for a successful inspection are attached below. If you are operating a business which would require a licence as a consequence of the new Regulation please take the time to examine both the general and activity specific conditions that will apply and read the activity specific Guidance document. The guidance documents attempt to answer some of the obvious questions regarding the conditions.

We advise that you read the procedural guidance documents (a and b) and the specific documents relevant to your activities.

a) The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018

b) Procedural Guidance for Animal Activities Licensing 2018

c) Guidance Notes for Breeding Dogs 2018 Version 1.2

d) Guidance Notes for Boarding Dogs in Kennels 2018 Version 1.2

e) Guidance Notes for Home Boarding Dogs 2018 Version 1.2

f) Guidance Notes for Dog Day Care 2018 Version 1.2

g) Guidance Notes for Boarding Cats 2018 Version 1.2

h) Guidance Notes for Selling Animals as Pets 2018 Version 1.2

i) Guidance Notes of Exhibition of Animals 2018

j) Guidance Notes for Hiring out Horses 2018 Version 1.2

 

Further documents you may find useful:

Animal Welfare Act 2006

Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs

Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats

Application forms for any of the above licences can be obtained from Licensing, Tamworth Borough Council, Marmion House, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B797BZ
Tel:01827 709674. Email: environmentalhealth@tamworth.gov.uk

Last updated 01/10/2018