Animal Rehoming Activities
Licence summary
Under Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 any person or organisation that supplies animals as pets to persons in Scotland that have been sourced for that purpose from either within or out with Scotland must hold a licence.
Any such person or organisation engaging in animal rehoming activities and supplying 5 or more animals as pets in any 12-month period must be licensed, unless the animal being supplied is a fish or was bred by the person supplying the animal.
Before you apply
You must not be disqualified from keeping animals, running an animal-related business, transporting animals, or working with animals under relevant animal welfare law.
Legislation and guidance
Animal rehoming licenses in Scotland are covered by The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021
Fees
Application fees are non-refundable and conditions will be attached. The fee depends on whether an inspection is needed.
| Fee type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Animal re-homing establishment licence (with requirement for establishment inspection) | £320.30 |
| Animal re-homing establishment licence (no requirement for establishment inspection) - application (new licence and renewal) | £152.30 |
How to apply
To apply, change or renew a licence for animal rehoming activities, complete the form below and return it to us by email:
Licence period
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 allow the Council to grant licences for a period of one, two or three years.
New applications will normally be granted a one-year licence. Longer licence durations are typically considered at renewal, based on risk and compliance history.
In determining the duration of a licence, the Council must be satisfied that the period granted is appropriate, having regard to:
- the risk of the applicant breaching licence conditions (including any specific conditions attached to the licence);
- the likely impact of any such breaches on the welfare of animals; and
- whether the applicant demonstrates standards of animal welfare that exceed the minimum licence requirements.
If you do not hear from us
There is no automatic approval. If you have not heard from us after submitting your application, contact us for an update.
If your application is refused or conditions are added
Contact us first if you want advice about a refusal or about conditions added to a licence.
You may also be able to appeal through the Sheriff Court.