Animal and Wild Animal Licensing

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Animal welfare and wild animal licensing laws apply to a wide range of businesses, organisations and individuals who keep, exhibit, breed, sell, train, transport or otherwise work with animals. Local authorities, the police and other enforcement bodies have powers to inspect premises, investigate complaints, impose licence conditions, suspend or revoke licences, and bring prosecutions where they consider that legal requirements have not been met.

The consequences of getting things wrong can be serious, both for the licence holder and for the wider business. Enforcement action can lead to licence refusal, variation, suspension or revocation, seizure of animals, reputational damage, financial loss, disqualification from keeping animals, and criminal prosecution. We understand that, for operators, directors, managers and individuals, regulatory investigations involving animals can be highly stressful and may require urgent, practical advice.

Harrison Drury’s Regulatory, Compliance & Licensing team can provide clear and pragmatic advice on animal and wild animal licensing matters. If you or your business are applying for a licence, responding to an inspection, challenging enforcement action, or facing investigation or prosecution for alleged breaches of animal welfare or licensing legislation, we can help you navigate the process, protect your position, and work towards the best possible outcome.

We can advise and represent you and your business in the following areas:

Animal activities licensing, including dog breeding, pet sales, animal boarding, riding establishments and keeping or training animals for exhibition
Zoo, dangerous wild animal and other specialist animal licences
Licence applications, renewals, variations and objections
Inspections, compliance visits and local authority investigations
Licence conditions, improvement notices, suspension, revocation and refusal decisions
Appeals against licensing decisions
Alleged breaches of animal welfare and licensing legislation
Interviews under caution
Criminal prosecutions and connected regulatory proceedings
Seizure, retention, forfeiture or deprivation of animals
Appeals on conviction

To speak to our regulatory specialists, please call us on 01772 258321 or make an enquiry below to see how we can assist you, your organisation or your business.