Animal health and welfare

Our Regulatory Services team is responsible for enforcing the wide range of legislation in the UK designed to protect the health and welfare of both domesticated and wild animals.

Animal health and welfare legislation is enforced jointly by local authorities and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), in association with other government bodies and independent organisations, like the RSPCA.

The environmental health business support team licenses and inspects:

• Animal boarding establishments – home and commercial
• Animal exhibits/performances
• Dog breeding establishments
• Exotic, dangerous or wild animals
• Horse riding establishments
• Pet shops
• Zoos

We also investigate:

• Illegal animal landings at Portsmouth port
• Incidents of illegal animal slaughter
• Outbreaks of animal-borne disease in partnership with Hampshire County Council’s Animal Health Team

For the latest information on Avian flu please visit the Defra website.

Advice on wild birds

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that the risk to the public is very low. However, people are advised not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that they find.

Defra have an online reporting facility available. Report dead wild birds via the Defra website or call 03459 33 5577

DEFRA now provide an interactive map of reported wild bird mortality and findings of avian influenza virus (bird flu) in wild birds and wild mammals.

• interactive map of reported wild bird mortality and findings of avian influenza virus (bird flu) in wild birds and wild mammals
• interactive data dashboard of findings of avian influenza virus in wild birds

Advice on kept and domestic birds

If you keep poultry, even as pets in your garden, you should keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and make sure you have good biosecurity measure in place to prevent contact with wild birds.

Speak to your vet if you have any concerns about the health of your birds. It’s a good idea to register your poultry, even if only kept as pets, so DEFRA can contact you during an outbreak and keep you updated with the latest advice.

More information and advice is available on the government website.

A law requiring horse owners to microchip their animals has been introduced to prevent abuse and improve welfare.

From 1 October 2020, The Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018 make it mandatory for all owners to microchip their horses, ponies and donkeys. If you own horses, you must now ensure that your animals are microchipped.

The legislation allows local authorities and police to track down the owners of dumped horses, and for the animals to be cared for. It will also mean that lost or stolen horses will be reunited with their owners more easily.

For more information contact us or the Word Horse Welfare Organisation.

The Legislation can be found on the gov.uk legislation page.

• Guidance on Animal activities licensing

• Application for a licence to operate an animal boarding establishment
• Application to renew an animal boarding establishment licence
• Application to change an animal boarding establishment licence
• Application to register for the exhibition or training of performing animals
• Application to change a performing animals registration
• Application for a licence to keep a pet shop
• Application to renew a licence to keep a pet shop
• Application to change a pet shop licence
• Application for a licence to operate a riding establishment
• Application to change a riding establishment licence
• Notification to operate a zoo
• Application for a licence to operate a zoo
• Application to renew a zoo licence
• Application to change a zoo licence

Fees from 1 April 2023

Application for a licence to operate an animal boarding establishment.

Payment should be made to Portsmouth City Council.

You may contact the cashiers to pay on 02392 841622 and please quote the associated code.

Fees are reviewed annually in line with the Government guidance for setting licence fees, ensuring they cover the costs of operating the licensing function. Changes are subject to approval by the Cabinet and the General Licensing Committee.

Enforcement policy