Animal Licensing Activities Regulations 2018 (England): Veterinary Resources

19 May 2021

When the new animal activities licensing regulations came into force in England 2018 they placed a greater requirement on vets in private practice who had responsibilities for licensed premises, including breeding and boarding establishments, to become more involved in some of the related activities.

Vets in practice have asked for more detail on some of requirements expected of them so BSAVA, BVA, BVZS, the Companion Animal Sector Council (CASC) and Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG), of which BSAVA is a member, have collaborated to develop a suite of resources to support vets whether in private veterinary surgeons (PVSs) in practice or if working with Local Authorities as Veterinary Inspectors (LAVIs). The resources include Guidance Notes, standardised templates and inspection guidance which can be accessed as outlined below.

Overarching Guidance

  • Guidance Note on the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, Including the role of PVSs and LAVIs is available here

For Private Vets

  • Guidance note for PVSs on Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 available here. This includes an outline of the roles of PVSs and LAVIs
  • Guidance note for PVSs on how to complete Preventative Healthcare Plans (PHPs) available here
  • PHP template for PVSs to complete when advising operators of licensed premises available here
  • Template letter for PVSs setting out their agreed provision of isolation facilities in accordance with the Regulations available here
  • Guidance Note for PVSs on completing ‘Fit to breed’ assessments for dogs available here. Please note that the Fit to Breed Assessment can also be used in Wales.

Local Authority Veterinary Inspectors

  • Local authorities may have their own inspection templates. Vets are advised to contact their local authority for more advice. If the local authority does not have their own inspection template, please contact the team at the City of London local authority who are happy to share their templates veterinary.harc@cityoflondon.gov.uk.

It is advisable that all of the documents are read in conjunction with the official Defra Guidance for Local Authority Inspectors on each of the licensable activities available here.