Translate this site
Contact the Council
Telephone: 01353-665555
Email: 
Online:
Establishments used for the breeding of dogs are controlled by the
- Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 and 1991
- Breeding and Sale of Dogs ( Welfare) Act 1999
No person may keep a breeding establishment without first obtaining a licence from their Local Authority.
Applications for a licence must be made to East Cambridgeshire District Council Environmental Services Division, and a licence may be issued if the applicant is not disqualified under any of the following Acts.
- The Breeding of Dogs Act 1973.
- The Pet Animals Act 1951.
- The Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954.
- The Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) (Scotland) Act 1934.
Where a licence is granted, that licence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31st December of the year to which the licence relates and must be renewed before that date if the premises are to continue as a dog breeding establishment.
If this is the first time you are applying for a dog breeding licence, please make arrangements for a veterinary inspector to inspect the breeding establishment using the inspectors form below. You are then required to submit the veterinary inspectors completed form with your application form and licence fee.You must not use your own veterinary inspector to carry out the inspection.
If you are already a licensed dog breeder with the Council, and are applying for an annual renewal licence, you will not need to submit the veterinary inspectors form.
Existing licence holders are sent a reminder and renewal application form in October/ November each year.
Before being granted a licence the applicant must be able to demonstrate to the Council's Licensing Inspector :
- that the dogs will at all times be kept in accommodation that is suitable in respect of construction, size of quarters, number of occupants, exercising facilities, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness.
- that the dogs will be adequately supplied with suitable food, drink and bedding material, adequately exercised, and (so far as is necessary) visited at suitable intervals.
- that all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent and control the spread amongst the dogs of infectious or contagious diseases, including the provision of isolation facilities.
- that appropriate steps will be taken for the protection of the dogs in case of fire or other emergency, including the provision of suitable and sufficient fire fighting equipment.
- that all appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that the dogs will be provided with suitable food drink and bedding material and adequately exercised when being transported to or from the breeding establishment.
A licence may be refused or withheld on other grounds if those grounds are such that conditions are not suitable for the breeding of dogs.
Each licence is subject to standard conditions that are imposed on all dog breeding establishments licensed by East Cambridgeshire District Council.
In addition to the standard conditions a licence may also contain special conditions that are only applicable to your premises.
Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence or by any condition to which a licence is subject may appeal to the Magistrates Court and the Courts may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.
The following offences apply to the breeding of dogs.
- Anybody found guilty of keeping a dog breeding establishment without a licence may be subject to a fine not exceeding £2,500.
- Anybody found guilty of failing to comply with the conditions of their licence may be subject to a fine not exceeding £2,500.
- Anybody found guilty of obstructing or delaying an Inspector or authorised Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinary Practitioner in the exercising of their powers may be fined up to a maximum of £1,000.
If found guilty under this Act, the defendants licence may be cancelled and they may be disqualified from keeping a dog breeding establishment for such length of time as the Court thinks fit.
Application Forms
There is an application fee which must be paid at the time the application is made. The current fee for a new licence is £170.00
- Dog Breeding Establishment Licence (Application/Renewal) - Apply Online
- Dog Breeding Establishment Licence (Application/Renewal) - Download Form
Renewals
Licences are renewable on an annual basis. Completed application forms and the relevant fee must be submitted to the Council before the expiry of the current licence.
The current renewal fee is £130.00
Trade Associations
- Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- The Kennel Club
- The Pet Advisory Committee
For further advice and information, please contact:
East Cambridgeshire District Council
Environmental Services Division
The Grange
Nutholt Lane
Ely
Cambridgeshire
CB7 4PL
Email: Environmental Services
Telephone: 01353 665555
Tags: 
