Pet Shop Licences

Licence summary

To run a business selling pet animals you need a licence from the local authority issued under the Pet Animals Act 1951. This includes all commercial selling of pet animals, including pet shops and businesses selling animals over the internet.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for a pet shop licence must not be disqualified from keeping a pet shop.

A fee will be payable for a new application or to renew the licence.  The fees list contains the current fee payable for each application type. 

Regulation Summary

A summary of the regulation relating to this licence are available by clicking here.  Further information relating to Pet Shops and Animal Welfare is available via the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Application Evaluation Process

Local authorities must have regard to the following when considering an application for a pet shop licence:

• that animals will be kept in suitable accommodation, for example in regards to temperature, size, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness;
• adequate food and drink will be provided to the animals and they will be visited at suitable intervals;
• that any mammalian animals will not be sold too young;
• that steps are taken to prevent disease spreading among the animals;
• that adequate fire and emergency provisions are in place.

Conditions are attached to a licence to ensure that the above are complied with.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

No - It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Licensing Authority within a reasonable period, please contact us. If you have applied online you can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service. If you have applied in writing or need wish to contact the Licensing Authority via another method please telephone the Licensing hotline on 020 7641 8549 or email generallicensing@westminster.gov.uk.

Apply

You can either apply online by clicking on the relevant application type below or you can complete the application and post it to us.   

Apply to run a pet shop

Tell us about a change to your existing pet shop

Register

A public register as required under the Pet Animals Act 1951 is available to view at the Council's Offices.  To make an appointment to view the register please contact the Licensing Service on 020 7641 8548 or alterntively email generallicensing@westminster.gov.uk.

Failed Application Redress

Please contact your Licensing Authority in the first instance.

If you wish to appeal against a decision of the local authority you may do so to the local Magistrates' Court. Appeals must be made within 21 days of the date you received notification of the decision in writing. Magistrates' court decisions can be appealed to the Crown Court.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

If you wish to appeal against a decision of the local authority you may do so to the local Magistrates' Court. Appeals must be made within 21 days of the date you received notification of the decision in writing. Magistrates' court decisions can be appealed to the Crown 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

If there is a concern about noise, pollution, etc please contact Westminste City Council's Environmental Action Line on 020 7641 2000 (24 hrs) or email environmentalactionline@westminster.gov.uk.  Also should one licence holder complain about another please contact the Council's Licensing Inspectiors on 020 7641 3385 or email premiseslicensinginspectorate@westminster.gov.uk.

Trade Associations and useful links

Pet Care Trust (PCT)

Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA)

Eugo Partnership Logo