Animal licensing (and policy)

The Councils are responsible for the administration and enforcement of the following animal licensing activities in Adur and Worthing:

• selling animals as pets
• providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs (including day care)
• hiring out horses
• breeding dogs
• keeping or training animals for exhibition

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 sets out conditions for the activities listed above that licence holders must comply with. A rating system awards licence holders a rating based on certain criteria.

• Adur District Council is the licensing authority for Southwick, Shoreham and Lancing. 
• Worthing Borough Council is the licensing authority for the borough of Worthing.

Licensing Policies

As separate licensing authorities, Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Councils each have their own Statements of Licensing Policy. These documents detail how each authority considers and processes licensing applications, and any licensing decision made will be based on that authority's policy. 

• Statement of Licensing Policy - Adur District Council (1,402KB)
• Statement of Licensing Policy - Worthing Borough Council (1,393KB)

These policies are regularly reviewed. If you have any questions please contact the Licensing Unit.

Further information

• Animal activity licensing process: statutory guidance for local authorities - on the GOV.UK website
• The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 - on the Legislation UK website

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