Licence summary
To run a dog breeding establishment (a business of breeding dogs for sale) at any premises within the borough of Basingstoke and Deane you will require a licence from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. A person will be presumed to be carrying on a business where during any 12 month period, five or more litters are born to their bitches. This includes bitches kept:
- by any person at the premises
- by any relative of the person at the premises
- elsewhere by the person
- anywhere by the person under a breeding arrangement/contact with another person.
The council may authorise an officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner to inspect licensed premises.
Eligibility Criteria
An applicant must not be disqualified from any of the following at the time of the application:
- Dog Breeding Acts of 1973 & 1999 from keeping a breeding establishment.
- Pet Animals Act 1951 from keeping a pet shop.
- Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954 from having the custody of animals.
- Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 from the boarding of animals.
- Animal Welfare Act 2006, section 34(2), (3) or (4).
Regulation Summary
Legislation relevant to dog breeding includes:
Application Evaluation Process
A fee of £219 is required to be submitted with an application form.
Dog Breeding Licence Conditions
To apply for a Dog Breeding licence, applicants must complete and submit an application form.
The following criteria will be considered when the application is being evaluated:
- whether the dogs have access to suitable accommodation at all times, with regard to the construction and size of the quarters, number of occupants, ventilation, cleanliness, exercise facilities, temperature and lighting
- whether the dogs will be suitably fed, watered, visited and supplied with adequate bedding material
- that all reasonable steps are in place to prevent and control the spread of infectious/contagious diseases. whether appropriate steps will be taken to protect the animals in the event of a fire or other emergency
- that the dogs will be suitably cared for when being transported to and from the breeding establishment, i.e. food, drink, bedding, exercise
- that bitches are not mated if they are less than one year old
- that bitches do not give birth to more than 6 litters of puppies each
- that bitches do not give birth more than once in a 12 month period.
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact it.
Apply
Application forms can be downloaded at the below link and sent by post to the licensing team.
Failed Application Redress
Please contact Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in the first instance.
Any person aggrieved by the decision to refuse a licence may appeal in writing within 21 days to the council's Licensing Committee. Alternatively you may appeal within 21 days to the Magistrates Court.
Licence Holder Redress
Please contact Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in the first instance. Any licence holder aggrieved by a condition attached to a licence may appeal in writing within 21 days to the council's Licensing Committee. Alternatively you may appeal within 21 days to the Magistrates Court
Consumer Complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other Redress
If you are not happy about other issues such as nuisance (for example noise, dust and drainage), please contact Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
Trade Associations
Pet Care Trust (PCT)
RCVS - Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
The Kennel Club
Applications or general enquiries should be directed to the Licensing Team at the address below:
The Licensing Team
Civic Offices
London Road
Basingstoke
RG21 4AH
01256 844844
licensing@basingstoke.gov.uk
