Do I need a Licence?
If you own a pet shop or any other business offering pets for sale or other gain, you must have a valid licence.
It is an offence to sell animals as pets without a licence, being in breach of licence conditions, selling pets in a street or public place (including from a market barrow or stall), or selling pets to persons under 12 years of age.
Licences are issued under the Pet Animals Act 1951 and are renewable annually.
The licence stipulates a number of conditions to secure the wellbeing of the animals, including stating that shops must provide basic animal welfare needs, such as suitable accommodation (size, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness) food and drink, monitoring, precautions against disease and arrangements for fire or other emergency. We will arrange a veterinary surgeon's inspection to ensure that the accommodation is suitable.
The licence will be issued subject to compliance with licence conditions and payment of the licence fee.
How do I apply?
You must complete and return the application form and sent it to us, together with a copy of your Public Liability Insurance Policy and the current fee (see list of fees) to the Grants and Licensing Team, Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom, KT18 5BY. You will also be required to pay the costs incurred by the veterinary surgeon's inspection and will be invoiced for this separately.
Download Pet Shops Application Form (PDF format)
Download Pet Shop Licence Conditions (PDF format)
Further Information
Telephone: 01372 732000
email: contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk