Selling Animals as Pets
Operating a Business Selling Animals as Pets
Who requires a licence?
Any person or organisation selling animals as pets (or with the expectation of their being later resold as pets) in the course of a business including keeping animals in the course of a business with a view to their being so sold or resold.
The business of selling animals as pets does not apply to persons operating an animal welfare establishment (an animal sanctuary or rehoming centre), engaging in other animal rehoming activities or licensed as a dog, cat or rabbit breeder (the breeding licence they hold allows for the direct supply of animals as pets).
Legislation
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (opens new window), regulation 3 and Schedule 1, Part 1 of the regulations.
General conditions for animal activities licences:
Specific conditions for this licence:
Guidance
The Scottish Government has issued guidance notes for pet sellers: The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 - Guidance for Pet Sellers (opens new window)
How to apply
- complete a Selling Animals as Pets application form [77KB]
- return it via email or to the address on the application form; and
- pay the appropriate fee [107KB] online at 'Pay For It' - select 'Trading Standards' then 'Animal Welfare Licence'. Please contact us to obtain your reference number.
An officer will then be in touch to discuss your application and arrange an inspection.
A veterinary surgeon will also be appointed by us to assist officers undertaking inspections in relation to licence applications. You will be invoiced separately after the inspection to recover any veterinary costs incurred.
You should note that after payment, full consideration and processing, your licence may not be granted.
The application fee will not be refunded to you even if your licence is not granted.
Licence period
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 allow us to issue licences with a duration of one, two or three years.
In determining the duration of a licence the Council must be satisfied that the period to be granted is appropriate on the basis of its assessment of the following:
- the risk of the applicant breaching the licence conditions (including any particular licence conditions to be attached to the licence by us in relation to that particular operator);
- the possible impact of any such breaches on the welfare of any animals; and
- whether the applicant is already operating to higher standards of animal welfare than required by the licence conditions
Register
A public register [119KB] is required to be kept of licensed premises under this legislation.
