Animal Welfare

Animal Welfare Licensing

Hart District Councils Environmental Health Department licence the following premises for the purposes of ensuring approporiate standards of animal welfare:

• Boarding Catteries and Kennels
• Pet shops selling animals
• Dog breeders breeding five or more litters in a year
• Riding schools
• Keepers of dangerous wild animals

Officers from the Environmental Health and Licensing Team inspect these premises at least once a year to ensure that they comply with national minimal standards. These periodic inspections may often be carried out in association with an authorised vetinary officer, or an RSPCA officer in the event of specific animal health issues.

Set standards relate to structure, safety, security, infectious disease control, and the suitability of the licence holder. The aim is to ensure:

• minimum standards of welfare for animals,
• prevent a spread of disease and
• the safety of the public visiting these premises.

Environmental Health will also investigate following complaints by members of the public.

Application forms and standard licence conditions can be found by following the links below.

Our advice to anyone using these premises is:

• Always check they are licensed by the Council, and ask to see the current licence.
• Always inspect the premises prior to leaving your pet, buying an animal, or taking a riding lesson.
• Always ensure that riding schools have current public liability insurance.
• If you have any concerns about an establishements standards or its licence status please contact this Department.   

You may obtain a licencing application form using the links below or by contacting our Environmental Health and Licensing team directly  

Service Charter

Licence Conditions