Licensing of activities involving animals

• Selling animals as pets
• Providing or arranging provision of boarding for cats or dogs – this includes dog kennel boarding, cat boarding, home dog boarding and day care for dogs
• Dog breeding
• Keeping or training animals for exhibition
• Hiring out horses

Before applying for a licence, please ensure to carefully read the guidance for the specific activity you are applying for, available at:

• Statutory guidance for local authorities

We aim to issue a decision on an application within 10 weeks of receiving a new licence application. However, it is possible that the process may take longer, for example, if further information is needed from the applicant or if it's difficult to arrange the inspection.

Licence holders 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, if they wish to continue to operate the licensable activity.

Email your application/renewal to: EnvSafetyHealth.DUE@dudley.gov.uk

Alternatively, print your application form and send it to:

Dudley MBC - Environmental Health & Trading Standards
Environmental Safety & Health
Dudley Council
4 Ednam Road
Dudley
DY1 1HL

Pay the fee over the telephone: 0300 555 2345. Please note, you will need to select to speak directly to an operator to make your payment.

Licences can be valid from one year to three years, dependent on:

• compliance history of the individual applying for the licence – whether they are low risk or high risk
• animal welfare standards the individual follows – whether they have minor failings, follow minimum standards or already operate at a higher standard

New applicants who have no compliance history with the local authority or UKAS must be automatically rated as high risk. This means that the highest star rating achievable on a first inspection is 4.

The only exception to this risk-based approach is for the activity of keeping or training animals for exhibition. All licences for the activity of keeping or training animals for exhibition can be granted for 3 years and do not have a star rating. Keeping or training animals for exhibition licences do not have a star rating.

If you think that your rating is wrong or unfair – in other words it does not reflect the animal welfare standards and risk levels at the time of inspection – you have 21 days from the date your licence was issued (including weekends and bank holidays), in which you can appeal against this. You can appeal in writing to The Public Protection Manager, Environmental Safety and Health at EnvSafetyHealth.DUE@dudley.gov.uk

For more information on the Star Rating Scheme, please visit:

• Statutory guidance animal activity licensing process

Businesses with ratings of 1 to 4, who have accepted their rating and have subsequently made the improvements needed to address non-compliances identified during the previous inspection can ask for a reinspection to get a new rating.

You'll need to do this in writing and supply evidence of the improvements made. You can make your request by email at EnvSafetyHealth.DUE@dudley.gov.uk or by letter to the address at the top of your letter. Please note that a reinspection will not extend the length of your licence.

Dudley Council is currently charging £188.58 for carrying out requests for a reinspection.

At least one unannounced visit will be carried out during the term of the licence.

Coming June 2024

The RSPCA investigates complaints on cruelty or neglect.

We will investigate complaints of poor animal welfare conditions in a commercial business or if you suspect someone within the Dudley borough is operating a business without a licence.

• Information on Stray Dogs