The sale of animals as pets

• A pet shop is any shop where animals are sold as pets, including those sold from private homes
• animals cannot be sold as pets in public places such as market stalls
• A license for selling animals is not required in these circumstances :

  • sale of pedigree animals that a private owner has bred themselves
  • animals that are offspring of a private owners pet
• The animal welfare regulations 2018: sets out minimum standards in relation to all aspects of running a pet shop, such as maintaining animal health and well being, staffing level and emergency procedures
• The animal welfare regulations set out the duties of local authorities to license activities involving animals and the relevant establishments relating to this. It safeguards the health and welfare of the animals involved
• The five licensable activities covered by the animal welfare regulations:

  1. selling animals as pets
  2. Providing for or arranging the provision of boarding for cats or dogs
  3. Hiring out horses
  4. Dog breeding
  5. Keeping or training animals for exhibitions
• The animal welfare regulations state that accommodation should minimise stress for the animal
• The animal welfare act 2006: sets our responsibilities of owners and keepers to meet the welfare needs of the animals in their care.
• The animal welfare act protects all vertebrate animals
• The health and safety at work act 1974: this sets out the framework for managing workplace health and safety. It defines the general duties of everyone from employers to owners, for maintaining healthy and safety within most workplaces
• the management of health and safety at workplace regulations 1999: an employer must identify the risk that employees, contractors and members of the public may face, and take steps to control or mitigate those risks through formal risk assessments
• the personal protective equipment at work act regulations 1992: PPE must be used and worn in accordance with the instructions provided with them. If PPE is required, employers must ensure their workers have sufficient information, instruction and training in the use of PPE
• Control of substances hazardous to health regulations 2002: imposes duties on certain land owners and occupiers to keep specified land clear of litter and refuse, and on local authorities and the Secretary of State, to keep clean public highways for which they are responsible
• Welfare of animals (transportation) order 2006: applies to all vertebrate animals that are being moved for commercial purposes, protects animals during transportation, loading and unloading
• What are the guidelines set by the welfare of animals order?


  some animals must not be transported - pregnant, young, sick or injured animals

  Infants must be transported with their mother if they still require assistance with feeding

  Animals must be accompanied with the correct paperwork