- Description
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If you plan to operate an animal welfare establishment (AWE), you must have a valid licence.
An AWE is a place where:
- animals that have been abandoned or otherwise separated from their keepers, or
- sick, injured or captured animals that were previously living in a wild state,
are kept for their care.
AWE operators only require a licence if a threshold number of animals are kept at the AWE. This threshold will be met if either:
- 5 dogs
- 5 equines
- 5 animals comprising a mix of dogs and equines
- 8 animals of any type are kept in the AWE at the same time for their care, except any animal under the age of 4 months born within the AWE or received into the AWE with its mother
A fish is not a relevant animal for the activity of operating an animal welfare establishment.
You must apply for your licence and have it issued before you start trading.
- Fees and duration
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Licences are valid for 1, 2 or 3 years from the date of issue. This is based on any report submitted by an inspector and all other risk factors. Applicants have no say on licence duration.
The fee is fixed and does not change based on how long the licence is valid. This is because the fee covers administrative costs, which remain the same.
- How to apply
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To ensure your application is processed:
- complete all sections of the application form
- provide any required supporting documentation
- pay the required fee in full
Incomplete application forms or those without full payment will be returned and not processed.
- After you apply
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It takes a minimum of six weeks to process your application due to required consultations with other agencies.
During busy periods, or if a specialist inspector is required to inspect the premises, it may take longer.
- Contact us
