In Scotland, the breeding of dogs, cats and rabbits is regulated under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021.

You need a licence from Falkirk Council if you breed:

• Dogs: 3 or more litters of puppies in any 12-month period
• Cats: 3 or more litters of kittens in any 12-month period
• Rabbits: 6 or more litters of kits in any 12-month period

The requirement to be licensed applies whether the puppies, kittens or kits are sold or otherwise supplied (including given away) as pets. 

The requirement to be licensed does not apply to: 

• Dog breeding where the offspring are intended to be trained and used as assistance dogs. 
• Rabbit breeding where rabbits are bred for personal consumption or in the course of commercial meat production. 

If you are unsure whether you need a licence (for example, if breeding forms part of a business), please contact Falkirk Council before advertising or supplying any animals. 

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021

The Scottish Government has issued guidance notes for breeding of dogs, cats and rabbits:

Dogs

• The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 - Guidance for Dog Breeders

Cats

• The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 - Guidance for Cat Breeders

Rabbits

• The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 - Guidance for Rabbit Breeders

The applicant is disqualified

A licence cannot be given to someone who is legally banned from keeping or working with animals, for example because of animal welfare convictions or court orders. 

The applicant is not a fit and proper person 

This includes poor past compliance, animal welfare concerns, misleading information, or refusal to cooperate with inspections. 

Licence conditions are not met 

The applicant must meet all general and activity specific conditions, such as proper animal care, trained staff, record‑keeping, and safe working practices. 

The premises or arrangements are unsuitable 

Buildings, housing, and systems must be safe, clean, and able to always meet animal welfare needs. 

Required information or access is refused 

Applications can be refused if information is missing, false, or if inspections are not allowed.

Where a licence is granted, it will remain in force for the period stated on the licence. These are typically for 1 year although licences may be granted for up to 3 years, depending on the risk assessment carried out by the licensing authority, and must be renewed before the expiry date if the licensed breeding activity is to continue.

Before being granted a licence, the applicant must be able to demonstrate to the Council's officer that the licence conditions can and will be met, including the general conditions (Schedule 2) and the relevant species-specific conditions (Schedule 6, 7 or 8).

• animals are kept in suitable accommodation at all times (safe construction and maintenance, appropriate space and stocking levels, suitable temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness)

• animals are provided with adequate food, water, bedding and enrichment, and are checked at suitable intervals.

• reasonable precautions are taken to prevent and control the spread of infectious disease, including appropriate isolation arrangements where necessary.

• appropriate measures are in place to protect animals in case of fire or other emergency, including suitable firefighting equipment and emergency procedures.

• animals are transported safely and comfortably, with suitable provision for rest, food and water as appropriate.

• dogs will be adequately supplied with suitable food, drink and bedding, will be adequately exercised, and will be visited at suitable intervals.

• reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent and control the spread of infectious or contagious diseases, including having appropriate isolation arrangements where necessary.

• appropriate measures will be in place to protect the animals in case of fire or other emergency, including suitable and sufficient firefighting equipment and emergency procedures.

• when animals are transported to or from the breeding establishment, they will be provided with suitable food, drink and bedding as appropriate, and transported safely and comfortably with adequate exercise/rest opportunities.

A licence may be refused or withheld on other grounds if those grounds are such that conditions are not suitable for the breeding of animals.

Each licence is subject to standard conditions set by Falkirk Council, including the general conditions and the relevant species-specific conditions for the activity.

In addition to the standard conditions a licence may also contain special conditions that are only applicable to your premises.

No. It is in the public interest that Falkirk Council must process your application before it can be granted.

If you have not heard from us within 28 days, please contact us.

To apply for, change or renew a breeding licence (dogs, cats and rabbits), you can complete the form below and send it to Falkirk Council by email: 

Please contact us in the first instance.

Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to their licence can appeal to their local Sheriff in Scotland.

The following offences apply to the breeding of dogs, cats and rabbits (where the activity is licensable):

• A person who carries on the licensable activity of breeding (where a licence is required) without a licence commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale. 
• A licence holder who fails to comply with a licence condition commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale. 
• A person who intentionally obstructs an inspector (or an authorised veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner) in the exercise of their functions under these Regulations commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale. 
• Where a person is convicted of an offence under these Regulations, the court may cancel any licence held by that person and may disqualify them from holding an animal-licensing licence for such period as the court thinks fit. 

Note: "Level 3" and "level 4" on the standard scale are legal bands for the maximum fine that can be imposed by a court. As at the date this page is posted (April 2026) level 3 is £1,000 and level 4 is £2,500. These amounts are set in law and may change from time to time.

• Citizens Advice
• Kennel Club
• Pet Industry Federation (PIF)
• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons