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Licensing of activities involving animals

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

Subject to exemptions, a licence is required to carry out the following activities under these regulations:

  • selling of animals as pets
  • engaging in animal rehoming activities
  • operating an animal welfare establishment
  • breeding of dogs, cats or rabbits

How to apply for a licence

You can download an application form below or request and apply for a licence by using these contact details:

North Lanarkshire Council
Protective Services
Station House
950 Old Edinburgh Road

Bellshill 
ML4 3FG

environmental-health@northlan.gov.uk

You can pay the application fee by debit or credit card. Call us on 01236 856361 to arrange this. We will not process applications until we receive the required fee. Application fees can be viewed on our Trading Standards webpage.

Following the application, we will contact you to agree a licensing inspection of your premises. Your details will be checked for the eligibility criteria.

Your licence will be issued after completion of a satisfactory licensing inspection and passing the eligibility criteria.

The licence is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of issue.

It is in the public interest that we consider and process your application before it can be granted. We would expect to process your application within 28 working days. If you have not heard from us within this period, please contact us using the contact details above.

In the event you do not meet the licence conditions or decide not to go ahead, we will not refund your fees.

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 place a legal duty upon the council to publish a register of certain information held in respect of animal licenses granted by the authority.

Page last updated:
20 Mar 2025

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