Selling of animals as pets

Businesses and individuals require a licence to sell, import and distribute animals as pets for sale. The selling of animals as pets licence replaces the pervious pet shop licence.

Consult the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 on legislation.gov.uk for more details.

Defra guidance on selling of animals as pets

See Defra guidance notes for conditions for selling animals as pets on GOV.UK.

Apply for a licence to sell animals as pets

Download application for a licence to sell animals as pets (Word: 85Kb / 7 pages)

Last updated: Thursday, 7 September, 2023.