Animal health

Animal welfare and licences

Licences

Animal health and welfare legislation is enforced jointly by the Local Authority and the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), along with other government bodies and independent organisations like the RSPCA.

We license:

  • Horse riding establishments
  • Dog breeding establishments
  • Animal boarding establishments
  • Dangerous wild animals
  • Animal movements

Find animal licences

DEFRA guidance

You can get animal welfare advice from DEFRA on:

  • Diseases - control and surveillance, Avian Influenza (bird flu), BSE, Tuberculosis, Scrapie, Foot and Mouth Disease
  • National Animal Health and Welfare Strategy
  • Animal welfare at farms, markets and slaughterhouses
  • The Pet Travel Scheme
  • International trade in animals
  • Animal by-products
  • Wildlife conservation and biodiversity
  • Wildlife crime

DEFRA animal welfare