Animal licences

Apply for or renew an animal licence

You can apply or renew by downloading the appropriate form below.

• breeding of dogs (PDF)
• boarding of dogs and cats (PDF)
• selling animals as pets (PDF)
• keeping or training animals for exhibitions (PDF)
• hiring out horses (PDF)
• home boarding (choice of PDF or Word)
• dog daycare (choice of PDF or Word)
• dangerous wild animals (PDF)
• zoo licence application (PDF)
• primate licence (Word)

A note about renewals

A licence holder must apply to renew a licence at least 10 weeks before their current licence expires. This is to avoid incurring a break in the licensable activity. To renew the licence holder must complete and submit a form for the relevant licence and submit this with the application fee (which can be paid online or by cheque made payable to Central Bedfordshire Council) to health&safety@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or by post to address given below.

Forms must be sent to

Public Protection
Central Bedfordshire Council
Priory House
Monks Walk
Chicksands
Shefford
Bedfordshire
SG17 5TQ

Fees and charges

Variation (admin only): £20

Variation/transfers: £20 per licence

Officer hourly rate: £80

Please note: Licence fees are non-refundable, should trading cease during the licence term.

Vet fees

Applicant to pay full vet fees if one is required for inspection (average £300 per hour – estimate can be given on application). This applies to:

• dangerous wild animals
• dog breeding
• pet shops
• hiring out horses
• performing animals
• primate licensing

Contact us

Email: health&safety@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

If you want to operate a business which deals with animals on the premises then you will need to apply for a licence.

We deal with licences for:

• breeding of dogs
• boarding of dogs (kennels)
• home boarding for dogs
• dog day care
• boarding of cats (cattery)
• selling animals as pets
• keeping or training animals for exhibitions
• hiring out horses
• dangerous wild animals
• zoos
• keeping or owning a primate

Primate licences

The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 came into force on 6 April 2025, meaning that all keepers of primates within England require a licence to do so by 6 April 2026.

Under Regulation 4, a primate licence is not required to keep a primate in England if the primate is kept under a zoo licence or an ASPA licence. It is the responsibility of the primate keeper to apply for the appropriate licence.

In all other cases, only individuals authorised under a primate licence may keep primates. Holders of primate licences may also require a licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (DWA) or a licence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (LAIA), depending on the species of primates they keep and the activities the primates are involved in.

Guidance from DEFRA

The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has published procedural guidance for local authorities in relation to the new regulations, along with guidance notes on the conditions that will apply to licences issued to authorise the different licensable activities.

The new licence conditions and guidance notes for each of the animal activities covered are set out below:

• Dog boarding kennel guidance
• Dog day care guidance
• Home boarding of dogs guidance
• Cat boarding guidance
• Selling animals as pets guidance
• Hiring out horses guidance
• Keeping or training animals for exhibition guidance
• Licensing process for keeping primates – GOV.UK

Useful information

• The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
• Animal Welfare Act 2006
• Dangerous wild animal licensing
• The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024