Selling animals as pets

If you sell or intend to sell animals as pets (or with a view to their later being resold as pets) in the course of a business or those operating on a commercial basis will require a Licence to do so under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021.

The circumstances which a Local Authority must take in to account in determining whether an activity is being carried on in the course of a business for the purposes of this Schedule include, for example, whether the operator:

  • Makes any sale by, or otherwise carries on, the activity with a view to making a profit, or
  • Earns any commission or fee from the activity

This includes selling from a commercial or domestic premises and all on-line selling platforms.

An inspection will be carried out by an authorised officer of any premises on which the licensable activity or any part of it is being, or is to be carried on. New operators and operators who wish to vary the licence are usually also subject to an inspection by a CCBC appointed veterinary surgeon or practitioner for which a separate fee is payable. Please be aware that this fee remains payable in the event the licence is refused.

Eligibility criteria

Persons who may not apply for a licence:

  • A person who has at any time held a licence which was revoked under regulation 14 of these Regulations.
  • A person who is disqualified under section 33 of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)2011(10).
  • A person who is disqualified under section 34 of the Act.
  • A person who is disqualified under section 40(1) and (2) of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006(11).
  • A person who is disqualified under section 6(2) of the Dangerous Wild Animals 1976(12) from keeping a dangerous wild animal.
  • A person who is disqualified under section 5(3) of the Pet Animals Act 1951(13) from keeping a pet shop.
  • A person who is disqualified under section 1(1) of the Protection of Animals (Amendment)Act 1954(14) from having custody of an animal.
  • A person who is disqualified under section 3 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911(15) from the ownership of an animal.

Please read the attached guidance document prior to applying:

Fees

Visit our Licence fee page for further information. 

How to apply

The application form must be completed and submitted with all other documents (as applicable) detailed on the attached checklist. Further documentation may be requested if necessary to determine your application.

Applications can be submitted via email or sent in the post.

Apply now

Renewal Applications

Renewal applications must be submitted a minimum of 10 weeks prior to the current licence expiry date. Failure to submit the application within this timescale may result in your licence expiring if we are unable to determine your application.

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Applications for licences/registrations issued in relation to the keeping of animals (PDF)

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