Animal health and welfare

Information about animal health and welfare.

It is not widely appreciated that establishments such as pet shops, animal boarding establishments, kennels, riding establishments, zoos, etc. need to be licensed and inspected to ensure that proper standards are maintained.

The department monitors these establishments and is also responsible for licensing other animal keepers and safeguarding animal welfare. Checks are also made on haulage vehicles to ensure that animals are transported properly and without cruelty.

Animal imports through Birmingham Airport and exhibitions and shows at the NEC are also closely monitored.

There is a 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 the Local Authority and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), in association with other government bodies and independent organisations like the RSPCA.

Keeping Chickens

Keeping a few chickens in your back garden has become more popular over recent years. There are no bylaws in Solihull which prevents keeping poultry in your back garden and the are no current Regulations in England regarding flocks of less than 50 birds. If you are thinking of keeping poultry at home, we have devised a short advice note which will provide you with some basic information.

What the Local Authority do:

Licensing of:

• horse riding establishments
• dog breeding establishments
• animal boarding establishments
• dangerous wild animals
• animal movements
• pet shops

What Defra do:

• national animal health and welfare strategy
• animal welfare at farms, markets, slaughterhouses
• the Pet Travel Scheme
• international trade in animals
• animal diseases - control and surveillance, BSE, Tuberculosis, Scrapie, Foot and Mouth Disease
• animal by-products
• wildlife conservation and biodiversity
• wildlife crime

Defra Helpline:

0845 9335577

Frequently Asked Questions about animal welfare issues

Contact Details

For more information please contact Public Health & Protection

Telephone: 0121 704 6842

Email: pprotection@solihull.gov.uk