Pet Shops

Any person who trades in pets (which means any vertebrate including fish), must possess a Pet Shop Licence. They are issued by the Council under the Pet Animals Act 1951.

Trade in pets is not permissible from any part of a street, or public place or at a stall or barrow in a market.

Licences expire on the 31st December in the year of issue and must be renewed annually. Prior to the issuing of a licence, the premises will be inspected by the council to ensure the following:

• animals will at all times be kept in accommodation suitable as respects size, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness
• animals will be adequately supplied with food and drink and (so far as is necessary) visited at suitable intervals
• animals, being mammals, will not be sold at too early an age
• all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent the spread among animals of infectious diseases
• appropriate steps will be taken in the case of fire or other emergency

If necessary the Council may require the specialist advice of a veterinary surgeon, especially in cases where exotic pets are sold.

The Council has licence conditions and application forms for Pet Shop licences available below.

• Pet Shop Licence Conditions (PDF Document, 0.12 Mb)
• Pet Shop Licence Application Form (PDF Document, 1.41 Mb)

When applying for a licence, a completed licence application form must be accompanied with the appropriate fee which is currently £77.00

For new pet shops, planning permission may be required. Further information can be obtained from Planning Services.