Animal licences

You will need a licence if you want to breed dogs and are breeding:

• three or more litters of puppies per year (unless you can show that none of the puppies has been sold)
• puppies, and advertising a business of selling puppies, irrespective of the number bred each year (subject to a number of exemptions).

If you are unsure if you fit into these categories, read the legislation or email your query to animal.licensing@medway.gov.uk.

Applying

To apply for a licence, you'll need to:

• download and complete an application form for breeding dogs.
• pay the correct fee

You are strongly advised to read the guidance notes for breeding dogs.

Fees

There are two parts to the fee.

Part A - a fee for processing your application, including any appropriate checks.

Part B - an additional fee, if you are successful in being granted a licence, which depends on the risk rating your establishment receives during its inspection.

This will be:

• £204 if you receive a 1 or 2 star
• £309 if you receive a 3 or 4 star
• £444 if you receive a 5 star

If you need advice and guidance on applying for a licence, we offer a pre-application advice service. The fee for this service is £71. 

If you would like to book a pre-application advice meeting email animal.licensing@medway.gov.uk.

Paying the fee

You can download a complete list of fees

Payments can be made by card when calling 01634 333 333.

You will need to advise the customer services officer what you are paying for and ensure you include your payment reference number on your application form along with the date you made the payment.

Breeding dogs reference: 4E55194900058560

Or you can pay by making out a cheque payable to Medway Council and attaching it to your application form.

After you apply

Onc we have received your application, we'll contact you to arrange an inspection of the premises by one of our licensing officers and an independent vet.

After the inspection, if successful, you'll get a risk rating of either 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 stars. This will determine how long your licence will last for.

To complete your application and receive your licence, you'll need to pay the hourly rate for the vet, where necessary, and:

• £204 if you receive a 1 or 2 star
• £309 if you receive a 3 or 4 star
• £444 if you receive a 5 star

For more information, you can download our guidance notes and FAQ.

Inspection reports

To speed up the inspection, we recommend that you download and begin to complete the inspection report that will be used by officers during your premises' inspection.

You can download the inspection report for breeding dogs.

Existing licences

If you've already got an animal licence, under the previous legislation, you'll need to apply for a new one when it expires.

You’ll need to complete a new application at least 10 weeks before your existing licence expires.

For more advice, you can email the environmental protection team at animal.licensing@medway.gov.uk.

Renewing

Your licence will last for either one, two or three years, depending on the premises’ risk rating and level of compliance, with premises representing low risk and identified as maintain high standards, receiving up to a five star rating. 

You’ll need to complete a new application at least 10 weeks before your existing licence expires.

Other permissions you may need

When operating a business you may also need to speak to:

• Planning - for the correct permission to operate your business
• Business Rates - to ensure you are set up to pay your rates