Business licences and business registration

Apply for a licence to sell animals as pets

Do I need a licence?

You will need to get a licence if you are selling animals:

  • As pets 
  • If the animals that you are selling will be later resold as pets

You will still neeed a licence if your business is based at home or if you are selling animals online.

This licence does not give you permission to sell animals as pets in public places such as market stalls. 

You also cannot sell puppies or kittens as pets if you have not bred them yourself.

This licence can be issued for a period of 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years depending on the risk rating and level of compliance.

Applying for a licence to sell animals as pets

When completing your application you will be required to have:

  • Details of the types of animals you are applying to sell
  • The age of animals when you will be selling them
  • Veterinary details
  • Accomodation details, including the size of the rooms that the animals have access to
  • Insurance details
  • Emergency keyholder details

If you are renewing an existing licence you will also need:

  • Your existing licence number

This is a chargeable service and is charged at £357.00, you will be required to make payment before you can submit your application. 

If you would like to apply for a licence to sell animals please use the link below: 

Business & Economy: Apply for a licence to sell animals as pets | Apply for a licence to sells animals as pets – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

How is the licence application assessed?

All licence applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

  • An assement of the applicaton as to whether they're a fit and proper person to carry out the licensable activity, their knowledge, experience, compliance history, ability to meet their licence conditions, and whether they're currently disqualified from making an application
  • An inspection of the site of the licensable activity by a suitably qualified inspector (and where applicable accompanied by a registered veterinarian)
  • The submission of the inspectors report which will contain information about the operator, details of the premises, records, conditions of the animals, and risk rating score.
  • The payment of the appropriate fee