Animal health and licensing

Importation of Dogs, Cats & Ferrets

To see the latest importation advice from Government on the legislation that is applicable to the importation of certain animals go to Gov.uk. Updated guidance on the isolation requirements (pdf 91kb) is available. 

Avian Flu

Mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds were introduced to all areas of England from the 7 November 2022, following a decision by the United Kingdom’s Chief Veterinary Officer.

The housing measures legally require all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow stringent biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the disease, regardless of type or size.

Following an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds and on commercial premises, the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales have now declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.

The AIPZ means bird keepers across Great Britain must:

• Keep free ranging birds indoors, and that ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances e.g. zoo birds).

• Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy;

• Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures;

• Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas

• Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry.

• Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;

• Feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;

Keepers should familiarise themselves with the avian flu advice and report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301.

Poultry includes for example chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants.

Captive birds are any birds kept in captivity, other than poultry, and includes for example – pet birds, birds kept for shows, races, exhibitions, competitions, breeding or sale.

All bird keepers (whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity at all times. If you have any concerns about the health of your birds, seek prompt advice from your vet.

You should register your poultry, even if only kept as pets, so we can contact you during an outbreak. This is a legal requirement if you have 50 or more birds. Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants.

For further information go to Gov.uk

Importing animals and animal products

Specific guidelines about the trade of animals and animal products have been produced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Traders must follow detailed guidelines for products of animal origin in addition to the general checks at the point of entry into the UK. 

Newcastle City Council is responsible for policing and monitoring animals entering the country using either Newcastle International Airport or the River Tyne, within the controlled district of Newcastle City Council.

Animal Health Officers monitor this very closely as part of the measures in place to prevent such diseases as rabies from entering the country. Our duties also extend to any other animal, particularly those on the Dangerous Wild Animals list or a protected species. We are given full support and co-operation by officers from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the United Kingdom Borders Force (UKBF), as well as Northumbria Police.

Health inspections of farmed animals

Our Animal Health Inspectors carry out a disease risk assessment of all livestock farms in Newcastle upon Tyne. During a scheduled visit to a farm the Animal Health Inspector will check all Livestock related documentation, such as;

• Flock and herd records of all movements on and off the premise

• Veterinary medicine records, animal by-products disposal route

• Stock on the holding will also be checked on welfare grounds and to ascertain whether or not they comply with current tagging/identity legislation

Keeping poultry on a domestic property

Keeping a few hens in the back garden to provide year- round eggs is becoming more and more popular. There are no laws preventing you keeping hens, providing they are looked after properly and their welfare is taken seriously. However, it is advisable to check your property deeds or consult your landlord to make sure there are no covenants preventing the keeping of livestock. By law you must register with DEFRA if you are responsible for fifty or more birds. It is also advisable to also register all flocks of birds under 50.

Buying a cat or dog

Animal lovers should take care when buying a new pet. Do not buy a cat or dog from an unknown source and be careful when buying animals advertised on the internet or in a newspaper. Illegally imported dogs and cats may carry diseases such as rabies and advertising may mislead you on details about the animal's history, breed or pedigree. DEFRA have produced guidance for the basic checks you should carry out when buying a cat or dog.

Abandonment and fly-grazing

Most abandonment and fly-grazing cases are a civil matters. If  you think the animal may be in distress you can report it to the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999. If you believe an animal has been abandoned or is fly-grazing  on land managed by the Council, please contact us on 0191 278 7878.

Animal licences

Animal movement licences

All animal movements are controlled by a general licence. In addition to the general licence, in respect of the movement of deer must be accompanied by a completed AML1 form. Movement must be reported to Local Authorities using the form AML1 within 3 days of the movement taking place. Forms need to be completed in triplicate. One copy is to be retained by the owner of the animals, two copies to the person buying the animals, one of which should be forwarded to the authority.

Dangerous and wild animals

Anyone who keeps an animal that is prescribed as dangerous and or wild must hold a licence to do so. There are currently no such licences issued by the City Council. 

Keeping or training animals for exhibition

Anyone who keeps or trains animals for the purposes of exhibition must hold a licence to do so.

Feed hygiene

The Feed (Hygiene and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2005 requires all businesses that make, use or market animal feeds (including farms, but excluding pet food retailers) to register with the council. Find out more about feed hygiene registration.

Dog breeding

Anyone runs a business that breeds and sells dogs, or have a dog that has more than 3 litters in a year and sell the puppies, you need a licence to breed dogs.

Animal boarding

Anyone keeps dogs or cats overnight as part of a business, you may need an animal boarding licence. 

Selling Pets

Anyone who sells animals as pets needs a pet shop licence, even if they don't work out of an actual shop. 

Hire of horses

Anyone who hires out horses, such as riding establishments, needs a licence to do so.

Zoo licences

Anyone who keeps wild animals for exhibition other than a circus or pet shop must apply for a zoo licence. 

Fees

Details of all fees applicable for licences issued by the Council.

Newsletter

To access a copy go to High Standard (pdf 1.7 mb).  

Contact

Trading Standards service, Directorate of Operations and Regulatory Services, City of Newcastle upon Tyne, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH. Email: tradingstandards@newcastle.gov.uk