Dog Breeding Establishments
The Legislation
- Breeding of Dogs Act 1973
- Breeding of Dogs Act 1991
- Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act
1999
- Animal Welfare Act 2006
Anyone breeding and selling dogs as a business must
be licenced by the Council under the above
Acts.
We ensure animals have suitable accommodation, food,
exercise and are protected from disease and fire before granting a
licence and we have extensive powers to check on the standards of
health, welfare and accommodation of the animals and to
enforce the law covering these areas.
The legislation contains many strict rules including:
- bitches are not to be mated until they are at least one year
old
- bitches can only have one litter per year
- bitches are to have no more than six litters in a
lifetime
- accurate breeding records must be maintained
The legislation also carries stiffer penalties, including
imprisonment for those who break the law. Also, Councils
have powers to obtain a warrant to enter premises, including
outbuildings, garages and sheds.
What We Check For
The aim is to protect the welfare of the dogs and puppies.
Before the licence is issued, the Council must be satisfied that
the premises are adequate in terms of:
- construction, size, number of occupants, exercise facilities,
temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness
- that dogs and puppies will be adequately supplied with food and
drink, bedding material, adequately exercised and visited at
suitable intervals
- that adequate precautions are in place in case of infectious
disease
- that adequate fire and emergency precautions are in place
- that a suitable breeding records are maintained
Running a Dog Breeding Establishment
Licensed Dog Breeding Establishments in Ashford
A list of licensed Dog Breeding Establishments is available on
our
Online Public Register of Licences and Registrations.
When is a Licence Required?
A dog breeding licence is required if either of the
following applies:
- four or more other litters of puppies are born to bitches
during any 12 month period. Litters will count towards the total of
four or more other litters, where they are born to bitches which
are either:
- kept at any premises during the 12 month
period
- kept by any relative at the breeding
establishment
- kept elsewhere
- kept by any person under a breeding
arrangement
and at least one puppy from each litter is
sold during the 12 month period
- Any other case where it is deemed that a business of breeding
dogs for sale is being carried on from a premises
Licences are issued for 12 months and must be
renewed after this time.
Applying for a licence?
To apply for a licence please complete an application
form and return it with the appropriate fee to the
Environmental Health Service at Ashford Borough Council.
Please be aware that fees are non-refundable should you
withdraw your application or be refused a licence.
New applicants are advised to contact the Planning Department in
case planning permission is required. This should be done before
applying for a licence. Should you be considering erecting new
breeding accommodation or carrying out alterations to existing
accommodation, you are also advised to contact the Building Control
Department and/or the Planning Department.
Application Fees
| Licence Type |
Fee |
| New Licence |
£130 |
| Renewal |
£105 |
| Variations |
£105 |
| Concurrent Second Application |
£22 |
Any veterinary costs incurred by the Council during the
processing of your application must also be paid.
Application Process
After receiving a completed application form we will contact you
to arrange an inspection of your premises. The inspection will be
carried out by the Council’s Animal Welfare Licensing Officer. In
the following circumstances they will be accompanied by a Council
appointed Veterinary Surgeon:
- the application relates to a new establishment
- there has been a change of ownership at an existing
establishment
- an existing licensee is relocating to new premises
- there is a significant increase in the numbers of breeding
bitches at an establishment
- a new kennel block is being added at an existing
establishment
- any other circumstances where an expert veterinary opinion is
considered necessary
It is not possible for us to use your own veterinary surgeon to
carry out the inspection. Once the inspection has been completed
and the Council has received the veterinary report you will be
advised of any works that need to be carried out so that the
licence can be issued.
In the event of a licence application being refused you will be
notified in writing and provided with information on rights of
appeal.
Required Standards
The standards for dog breeding establishments vary according to
whether the breeder keeps the dogs within their home or in outside
kennels. Those that keep the dogs within their home are known as
Domestic Breeders. Those who keep the dogs in outside kennels are
known as Non Domestic Breeders.
Further guidance:
What conditions will be attached to my licence?
Drawing on the standards applicable to Domestic and Non Domestic
Breeders, the Animal Welfare Licensing Officer will attach
conditions to your licence. These have to be complied with and will
be specific to your establishment. They will, for example,
specifically limit the number of bitches that can be kept.
The Council uses a set of model conditions which are adapted as
necessary.
Buying a Puppy
For those wishing to buy a puppy it is vitally important to
check out who you are dealing with. There are unfortunately
unscrupulous people who will pretend to have bred a puppy when
really it came from a ‘puppy farm’. Sadly many such puppies are
often ill and may even die not long after you have got them home.
You can take some easy steps to help stamp out this trade and
protect the welfare of the puppies by checking out our Buying a Puppy
advice.
Useful Contacts
Further Information
For further information contact:
Environmental Health Service, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane,
Ashford TN23 1PL
Telephone: 01233 330578
Please email Environmental Health
Team
Fax: 01233 330469
This webpage was updated on
8/19/2009