The Animal Welfare Service deals with animal related licences as follows:
Anyone who carries out the practice of providing accommodation for other people's cats and dogs is required to have a licence. The aim of the licensing requirements is to achieve certain standards in the management of the accommodation and to ensure precautions against disease and fire.
The keeping and running of animal establishments (catteries and kennels) is controlled by the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963. No person may keep a boarding establishment for animals without first obtaining a licence from their local authority.
The licence will be issued subject to compliance with licence conditions and payment of the licence fee.
An application fee (currently £304.00) is payable at the time of application.
Will tacit consent apply?
Yes If an application is made online.
This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the council by the end of the target completion period. The Council's target completion period for Animal Boarding licences is 25 working days.
Failed application redress
Please contact Islington Council in the first instance.
Any person who is refused a licence can appeal to the Magistrates court.
Licence holder redress
Please contact Islington Council in the first instance.
Any licence holder who objects to a condition attached to a licence may appeal to the Magistrates court.
Consumer Complaint
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 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.
All movements are controlled by general licence. In addition to the generallicence, deer, sheep and goats must be accompanied by a form AML1 and pigs by a form AML2. These need to be filled in triplicate. One copy to be retained by the owner of the animals, two copies to the person buying the animals, one of which should be forwarded to his/her Local Authority. These can be obtained from or downloaded from the DEFRA website.
The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 and a schedule included with the Act containa list of the various animals classed as "dangerous wild animals". In addition to powers of inspection, the Act also gives the council powers to seize any animal being kept on premises which are unlicensed. Zoos, pet shops and circuses are exempt from the provisions of the Act as these premises are subject to separate licensing requirements.
The keeping of certain species of wild animals is controlled by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.
Applications for a licence must be made to the council, and a licence may be issued providing the applicant is not disqualified or has been convicted under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.
Where a licence is granted, thatlicence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31 December of the year to which the licence relates and must be renewed before that date if the licence holder is to continue to keep the animal(s) named on the licence.
Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 without a licence, or anybody found guilty of failing to comply with any licence condition shall be subject to a fine not exceeding £2,000.
Any person found guilty of obstructing or delaying an inspector or authorised veterinary practitioner or veterinary surgeon shall be subject to a fine not exceeding £2,000.
Where a person keeps an animal without a licence or where a person fails to comply with a licence condition, inspectors from the council may seize the animal and may either retain it, or have it destroyed or disposed of (to a zoo or elsewhere) without compensation to the owner.
If the council incurs any expense in seizing, retaining or disposing of an animal then the keeper of the animal shall be liable for these costs.
The licence will be issued subject to compliance with licence conditions and payment of the licence fee.
An application fee (currently £304.00) is payable at the time of application.
Will tacit consent apply?
No It is in the public interest that the council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please get in touch. If you have applied online through the UK Welcomes service you can do this through them. If you have applied in writing or need wish to contact the council via another method please use the “contact us” details on this page.
Failed application redress
Please contact Islington Council in the first instance.
Any person who is refused a licence can appeal to the Magistrates court.
Licence holder redress
Please contact Islington Council in the first instance.
Any licence holder who objects to a condition attached to a licence may appeal to the Magistrates court.
Consumer complaint
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 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.
Under the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973, as amended by the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999, you must have a licence from the council to keep a breeding establishment for dogs. Premises must be inspected by a council officer and a vet prior to issuing of the license.
A breeding establishment means any premises where more than two bitches are kept for the purposes of breeding for sale of their offspring.
The licence will be issued subject to compliance with license conditions and payment of the license fee.
An application fee (currently £304.00) is payable at the time of application.
Pet shops are licensed by the council. Licences for pet shops may be issued provided the applicant is not disqualified under any of the following Acts:
Where a licence is granted that licence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31 December of its year of issue. Renewals have to be made on 1st January of each year if the premises are to continue as a pet shop.
The licence will be issued subject to compliance with licence conditions and payment of the licence fee.
An application fee (currently £304.00) is payable at the time of application.
Will tacit consent apply?
Yes This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the council by the end of the target completion period
OR
No It is in the public interest that the council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us using the details on this page. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service.
Failed application redress
Please contact Islington Council in the first instance.
Any person who is refused a licence can appeal to the Magistrates court.
Licence holder redress
Please contact Islington Council in the first instance.
Any licence holder who objects to a condition attached to a licence may appeal to the Magistrates court.
Consumer complaint
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 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.
Licences to keep a riding establishment are issued under the Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970.
A riding establishment is "the carrying on of a business of keeping horses to let them out for hire for riding or riding instruction". Licences are renewable annually. The council will arrange for a veterinary surgeon to inspect the horses and premises to ensure the welfare of the animals and that the stabling is suitable.
The licence will be issued subject to compliance with licence conditions and payment of the licence fee.
An application fee (currently £446.00) is payable at the time of application.
Will tacit consent apply?
Yes If an application is made online.
This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the council by the end of the target completion period. The Council's target completion period for Riding Establishment licences is 30 calendar days.
Failed application redress
Please contact Islington Council in the first instance.
Any person who is refused a licence can appeal to the Magistrates court.
Licence holder redress
Please contact Islington Council in the first instance.
Any licence holder who objects to a condition attached to a licence may appeal to the Magistrates court.
Consumer complaint
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 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.
The welfare of performing animals is provided for in the general provisions to avoid suffering and ensure welfare in the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
In addition, the training and exhibition of performing animals is further regulated by the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925 which requires trainers and exhibitors of such animals to be registered with the local authority. Under this Act, the police and officers of local authorities, who may include a vet, have power to enter premises where animals are being trained and exhibited, and if cruelty and neglect is detected, magistrates' courts can prohibit or restrict the training or exhibition of the animals and suspend or cancel the registration granted under the Act.
The premises and accommodation would need to satisfy basic standards for the health, welfare and safety of the animals that you intend to keep.
The licence will be issued subject to compliance with licence conditions and payment of the licence fee.
An application fee (currently £49.00) is payable at the time of application.
Will tacit consent apply?
Yes This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the council by the end of the target completion period
OR
No It is in the public interest that the council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us using the details on this page. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service.
Failed application redress
Please contact Islington Council in the first instance.
Any person who is refused a licence can appeal to the Magistrates court.
Licence holder redress
Please contact Islington Council in the first instance.
Any licence holder who objects to a condition attached to a licence may appeal to the Magistrates court.
Consumer complaint
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 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.
Other redress
A police officer or officer of the local authority may make a complaint to the magistrates' court if they feel that animals have been subject to cruelty.
Zoos are regulated by the Council under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.
The Council works in close partnership with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on all aspects of zoo licensing.
The licensing of zoos is a specialist field and the regulations are complex. If you are thinking of setting up a zoo, it is recommended that you contact a specialist officer first for advice and guidance on the details above.
The local authority cannot consider an application unless at least two months notice of the application has been given, plus publication of details in a local and national newspaper, and a notice placed at the site.
The authority must consult the police, fire authority, governing body of any national institute concerned with zoos, adjoining authority if the zoo overlaps the area of that authority and any person wishing to object on grounds of alleged injurious effect on the health or safety of persons living in the area.
The authority must arrange an inspection by a consultant inspector from the list of suitable inspectors nominated by the Secretary of State.
Will tacit consent apply?
Yes This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the council by the end of the target completion period
OR
No It is in the public interest that the council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us using the details on this page. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service.
Failed application redress
Please contact Islington Council in the first instance.
If the applicant is refused a licence, they may appeal to a magistrates' court within 28 days from the date on which the applicant receives written notification of the refusal.
Licence holder redress
Please contact Islington Council in the first instance.
A licence holder may appeal to a Magistrates' court:
The appeal must be brought within 28 days from the date on which the licence holder receives written notification of the authority's decision as to the relevant matter.
Consumer complaint
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 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.
Any person who wishes to appeal against a decision to close a zoo may apply to the Magistrates' court. Appeals must be made within 28 days of the notice of the local authority decision.
Page Last Updated: 25 October 2010