In order to safeguard animal welfare, businesses involving animals are subject to licensing by the Council.

This includes:

- Licensing and Registration of Animal Boarding;
- Dog Breeding;  
- Pet Animal premises;
- Zoos and Riding Establishments.

For more information on Licensing please see Licensing under the Business section of our website.

If you suspect that an animal is being subjected to any form of cruelty...

Contact the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals(RSPCA) on the National Cruelty Helpline 0870 5555 999.

For issues involving neglect or ill treatment of livestock on farms, during transport, at markets, etc...

Contact the Trading Standards Department at Northumberland County Council (Tel: 01670 534771) which has formal links with the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in enforcing national legislation governing the health and welfare of farm animals.

The identification and registration schemes that are in place to control animal movements are also overseen by the County Council, along with the issuing of animal movement licences for on farm movements

Service Standards

Complaints received regarding animal welfare will be responded to within 1 working day and we aim to resolve them in 3 months.