Fees set for the licensing of activities involving animals

New legislation came into force from September 1 which will affect people who run certain activities in Sutherland concerned with animals.

Current active licences for existing dog breeders and pet shops will continue until their expiry date when they are required to obtain a licence under the new legislation.

All relevant operators will have to apply to the Highland Council for a licence.

The new animal licensing legislation - the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 – will apply to activities concerned with pet selling, operating certain animal welfare establishments (including rehoming centres and animal sanctuaries), engaging in other animal rehoming activities and dog, cat, and rabbit breeding.

Members of the council’s Communities and Place Committee have agreed that:

• the new licence application fee will cost £165 with a renewal application cost (every one to three years) costing £127. Animal welfare charities will be charged 50 per cent fees.
• the council will use council officers and either a vet or Scottish SPCA Inspector (if appropriate) for the initial inspection of dog, cat and rabbit breeders.
• the council will use council officers for the initial inspection of applications for a person involved in animal rehoming activities or for pet sales or for animal welfare establishments. If considered necessary, the council may also use a vet or Scottish SPCA inspector (if appropriate). This may include the vet or Scottish SPCA inspector carrying out an inspection.

• The methods of cost-recovery of enforcement action in relation to any licensable activity of an unlicensed operator.

Currently in Highland Council area there are active licences for: 53 animal boarding establishments, 3 breeding of dogs, 18 riding establishments, six pet sales/shops, and one zoo.

More information on the changes or to apply please email envhealth@highland.gov.uk

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