Site directory

Address

Animal Welfare Licensing

With some exceptions, premises where animals are kept for certain purposes need to be licensed by the Council. These are:

• Pet shops
• Animal Boarding Establishments
• Dog Breeding Establishments
• Riding Establishments
• Dangerous Wild Animals
• Zoos

Licences are issued subject to conditions dealing with the welfare of the animals themselves and when appropriate, public safety. In most cases, premises will be subject to an annual inspection by a veterinary surgeon and Council officers.

Definitions

Pet Shop - business (including at private dwelling) of selling animals as pets and keeping them with a view to being sold as pets.

Animal Boarding Establishments - business (including private dwelling) where accommodation is provided for other people's animals.

Dog Breeding Establishments - business (including private dwelling) of breeding dogs with a view to being sold.

Zoo - establishment where wild animals are kept for exhibition to the public and the public have access with or without payment. This does not include circuses.

Riding Establishment - business of keeping horses for either riding or hire, or the purpose of instruction for the return of payment.

Dangerous Wild Animals - the keeping of certain wild animals requires a licence. A list can be provided.

More Information

The licensing regime is currently under review. The Defra website provides information about the Animal Welfare Act 2006 that could have an effect on the provisions outlined above.

If you have any queries about animal welfare licensing, please contact the Health & Safety team by phoning 01993 861060 or use the online service on the right of this page.

Do it online

Go to My West Oxfordshire for all your local information or view all online services

Let us know about any problems with our website

File downloads

View all Publications and register for email alerts when they are updated.

Email alert