FOI Request - Cat and Dog Breeding

Request 

1. CAT BREEDING
a) Since the 2021 regulations came into force how many applications has your council received for a licence to breed cats?
b) Of these applications how many were granted a licence?  
c) If any applicant was not granted a licence, what were the reasons and how many were declined for each reason?

i) Concerns about animal welfare
ii) Unsuitable premise
iii) Applied for a licence to breed Scottish Folds or Munchkin cats
iv) Application was withdrawn
v) Not within Council boundary
vi) Didn't meet licensing threshold
vii) Application incomplete
viii) Other – please specify

d) Please indicate which of the following statements apply by ticking yes or no for each statement and stating the number of licences.

i) Have you revoked the licence of any cat breeders in your area? If yes, how many?
ii) Have you renewed the licence of any cat breeders in your area? If yes, how many?
iii) What is the role of the person who carries out the licensing inspections?

2. DOG BREEDING
a) Since the 2021 regulations came into force how many applications has your council received for a licence to breed dogs?
b) Of these applications how many were granted a licence?  
c) If any applicant was not granted a licence, what were the reasons and how many were declined for each reason?

i) Concerns about animal welfare
ii) Unsuitable premise
iii) Application was withdrawn
iv) Not within Council boundary
v) Didn't meet licensing threshold
vi) Application incomplete
vii) Other – please specify

d) Please indicate which of the following statements apply by ticking yes or no for each statement and stating the number of licences.

i) Have you revoked the licence of any dog breeders in your area? If yes, how many?
ii) Have you renewed the licence of any dog breeders in your area? If yes, how many?
iii) What is the role of the person who carries out the licensing inspections?

3. ANIMAL WELFARE ESTABLISHMENT (AWE) and ANIMAL REHOMING ACTIVITIES
a) Has your council begun inspecting premises and issuing licences for AWE and animal rehoming activities licences?
If no, please answer the questions below:
b) What are the main reasons for not starting the process?

i) No interest from the public about applying for AWE/ animal rehoming activities licences
ii) Not enough understanding of the new licensing laws
iii) Not enough staff to carry out licencing
iv) Other – please specify

c) What more could be done to help you start the process?

i) More training about the new licensing laws
ii) Funding
ii) Other – please specify

If yes, please answer the questions below:
d) How many AWE licences has your council issued since the 2021 regulations came into force?
e) How many rehoming activities licences has your council issued since the 2021 regulations came into force?
f) What is the role of the person who carries out the licensing inspections?
g) Have you refused granting an AWE or rehoming activities licence?

If yes, what were the main reasons for refusing licences and how many were declined for each reason?

i) Animal welfare concerns
ii) Unsuitable premise
iii) Not enough staff
iv) Inexperienced staff
v) Application was withdrawn
vi) Other – please specify

h) Are you aware of any rehoming organisations that have had to close because they were not granted an AWE or rehoming activities licence?
i) If yes, how many organisations?

Response 23-07-2025 

1. a) 1

b) 1

c) None

d) 

i) 0

ii) 0 – Current licence does not expire until 2026.

iii) Animal Services Officer /Vet

2. a) 1

b) 1

c) None

d)

i) No

ii) Not yet – current licence expires on 31.12.25

iii) Animal Services Officer /Vet

3. a) Yes

b) Not applicable

c) Not applicable

d) 2

e) 1

f) Animal Services Officer /Vet

g) No

h) No