This page includes a list of current animal licence holders, their location, licence expiry date, and their current star rating. See below a description of how the star rating is calculated. Information about applying for licences can be found on the Calderdale Council website page Animal licences.
Animal Licence Activity Star Rating System
As part of The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, every licensed boarding kennel, cattery, dog home boarding, dog daycare, pet shop, dog breeding and riding establishment will be given a star rating ranging from 1 to 5 stars (the licence activity for keeping or training animals for exhibition is not included in the rating system).
The star rating is determined by a risk-based scoring system which considers both the animal welfare standards adopted by the business as well as their level of risk (based on elements such as past compliance).
To calculate the length of the licence and associated star rating the following questions are addressed based on the inspection and on records of past compliance: a) Does the business meet the minimum standards (licence conditions)? b) Does the business meet the higher standards? c) Is the business low or higher risk?
Scoring matrix The scoring matrix developed by DEFRA is as follows:
Low risk
-
Minor failings: 1-star rating, 1-year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 12 months
-
Minimum standards: 3-star rating, 2-year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 24 months
-
Higher standards: 5-star rating, 3-year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 36 months
Higher risk
-
Minor failings: 1-star rating, 1-year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 12 months
-
Minimum standards: 2-star rating, 1-year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 12 months
-
Higher standards: 4-star rating, 2-year licence, at least 1 unannounced visit within 24 months
The welfare standards are those set out in the Regulations and guidance to the Regulations. All businesses should meet the minimum standards to get a licence and therefore receive a 2 or 3 rating. However, minor failings that do not compromise the welfare of animals, e.g., administrative issues, may allow for a licence but with a rating of 1 star.
The guidance to the Regulations is specific to the type of activity and includes a number of higher standards which businesses may aspire to. To receive a higher standard rating as these are not mandatory to obtain a licence. The higher standards are divided into required and optional; a business needs to meet all the required higher standards and a minimum of 50% of the optional higher standards to qualify as meeting the higher standards.
All new and current businesses without three years of previous compliance history with a local authority will be automatically rated high risk.
