Selling animals as pets

You must have a licence if you run a business that:

• sells animals as pets
• keeps animals with the intention of selling them as pets

This applies to any premises in Stockport, including private properties.

Before making an application you should read through the guidance notes below from DEFRA (the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs). The guidance notes provide general and specific licence conditions, and information on how to meet each required standard.

How to apply

To apply for a licence, you must:

1. read the guidance notes above
2. read the conditions for selling animals as pets (PDF, 118KB)
3. download and complete the form below

There's an application fee which you must be pay when you make your application. You can find full details on our fees page.

How to submit your application and pay

You can submit your application via email to licensing@stockport.gov.uk.

You'll be sent a link to pay the fee online along with confirmation of receipt of the application.

The inspection

Before we grant a licence, we’ll carry out an inspection at your premises to make sure you meet the current requirements. Officers may be accompanied by a vet.

Where the inspection does not meet the current requirements, you’ll be issued with a compliance notice and a revisit will be carried out.

Where the visit does meet the requirements, we’ll determine the application and usually issue a licence with a star rating of up to 5 stars and 3 years in length.