Apply for an animal licence
Before anyone starts up a business involving animal activities they should find out whether they need to apply for a licence to be able to do so. The Defra Guidance Notes and our Guidance Note and FAQs for Applicants can be found on the previous page.
To apply for a licence you'll need to complete the necessary application form, which can be found below, read the relevant legislation and guidance, and ensure that your operation is 100% compliant with the general and specific conditions for that activity.
It will also be necessary to check whether planning permission is required. Please contact Planning and Regeneration services at planning.general@gravesham.gov.uk.
If you are not the owner of the premises you'll need to get written permission from your landlord and submit this with the application form.
You may need to take a qualification in animal care – please read the relevant Defra Guidance note on the previous page.
All supporting documents must be sent to the email address animal.control@gravesham.gov.uk
Fees for Animal Activities Licences
A fee is payable for all licence applications. The Part A fee covers the processing of the application and is payable at the time of application. A Vet inspection is required for all new applications, and some renewals, and every 12 months for a Hiring out Horses licence. The fee for which will be recharged to the applicant and must be paid before the licence is issued.
The Part B fee covers the maintenance of the licence throughout its length which is between one and three years dependent on the risk rating awarded except a licence to keep or train an animal for exhibition which lasts for a period of three years.
Fees are set at a level to recover the costs of administering and enforcing each licence. There is a separate charge for the application processing and enforcement.
Fees are not returnable or transferable. If an application is refused or withdrawn, no fee or any part thereof, will be refunded under any circumstances.
The fees for a new application, or a transitional application i.e. by those operators who currently have a licence under the previous regime, can be viewed below.
New applications
Once we have received your application, fees and any other relevant information, and prior to any licence being issued, an initial inspection of the animal activity operation will be carried out by the Animal Control Officer. If all is satisfactory this will be followed up by an inspection by our appointed Veterinary Officer. If all is satisfactory this will be followed up by a report and a request for the Part B fee and Vet inspection recharge. On payment of these fees the licence will be issued. The regime does not allow for licences to be granted if we are not completely satisfied that there is full compliance with the legislation and conditions.
Renewals
For those renewal of licences that do require a Vet inspection the process will be very similar to an application for a new licence. For those renewals that do not require a Vet inspection, once we have received your application, fees and any other relevant information, and prior to any licence being issued, an inspection of the animal activity operation will be carried out by the Animal Control Officer. If all is satisfactory this will be followed up by a report and an invoice for the Part B fee and on payment the licence will be issued.
The regime does not allow for licences to be granted if we are not completely satisfied that there is full compliance with the legislation and conditions. However there will be some tolerance for minor failings with those activities currently licensed under the old regime as long as they are not in relation to animal welfare and are mostly administrative. These minor failings must be resolved straight away and absolutely before the next renewal. This will affect the risk rating considerably.
For more information on the process please read our Guidance Notes & FAQs for Applicants.
Further information
Establishments are inspected, as a minimum, in accordance with the Defra’s statutory guidance however additional visits and inspections can be carried out at any reasonable time.
These visits are carried out to ensure that operators and their premises are suitable for licensing.
Officers will also investigate complaints received about poor conditions and practices at animal activity.
Our officers can take enforcement action if unlicensed activities are found or if licence conditions are not met, this includes suspension, revocation and prosecution.
Application form
To apply for or renew an animal licence, you can use our new online form by pressing the button below.