We regulate certain business activities which involve animals, to safeguard animal health and welfare. We do this by issuing licenses and carrying out inspections to make sure that welfare regulations are complied with.
We give licences for:
- animal boarding kennels
- dog breeding
- pet shops
- riding stables
- zoos
- Performing animals
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Dangerous wild animals
You can download application forms from this page. The cost of each of the licences is reviewed in April. If you think you need a licence and you would like further information or you would like to find out the cost of the licence, please contact us on 0113 395 1605 before applying.
We also assess the welfare of food animals in transit and at livestock markets, and monitor disease control measures at livestock farms.
Further information
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) can provide specialist animal welfare information and advice. Contact them at their Yorkshire and North East headquarters on 0113 234 2144 , or write to them at PO Box BR29, Leeds, LS13 2XL.
If you are concerned about animal suffering or cruelty that you have seen, contact the 24 hour RSPCA cruelty line on 0870 55 55 999 (calls at national rate).
The government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website contains detailed information about their work to protect and improve livestock, as well as to control and eradicate disease.