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Animal Welfare Licensing

The list below defines the separate licensable activities. If you are carrying out more than one of these activities, you need to include the additional fee as part of your application:

  • Boarding cats
  • Breeding dogs
  • Boarding kennels for dogs
  • Home boarding for dogs
  • Day care for dogs
  • Selling animals as pets
  • Hiring out horses
  • Exhibiting animals

If you have a query about holding one of the above licences, please complete this online enquiry form, or submit a completed application form along with the correct fee.

We strongly recommend that you read through the guidance notes available from the Canine and Feline Sector Group under their Legislation and Guidance section.

New applications

  • Application fee – £508.00 (plus £153.00 for each additional activity)
  • Licence issue fee – £105.00 (plus £22.50 for each additional activity)

We will arrange vet inspections and invoice this separately from these fees for breeding dogs, selling animals as pets and hiring out horses.

Renewals

This includes businesses already operating under the old licensing scheme.

  • Renewal fee – £403.00 (plus £148.00 for each additional activity)

We will arrange vet inspections and invoice this separately from these fees for hiring out horses and exhibiting animals.

If your current licence lapses, you will need to apply and pay for a new application. Please allow up to 10 weeks for your renewal application to be processed and the new licence to be issued.

Other fees

  • Rescore inspection fee – £287.00 (when requested by the operator)
  • Variation of licence fee – £133.00 (when requested by the operator due to changes to their business)

Dangerous Wild Animals*

  • New Application – £342.00
  • Renewal – £237.50

Zoo Licence*

  • New Application – £1,467.00 (Licence valid for four years)
  • Renewal – £1,484.00 (Licence valid for six years)

*Vet inspection will be arranged by the council and invoiced separately.

Contact us - Environmental Protection

01235 422403
(Text phone users add 18001 before dialing)

South Oxfordshire District Council
Environmental Protection Team
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JE