The UK prides itself on being a nation of animal lovers. And while ‘adopt, don’t shop’ should always be the first choice, many people still turn to a licensed dog breeder when they’re looking for a four-legged friend.  

That’s why the licensing system matters. In principle, it’s a strong idea: rules, council checks, and minimum standards to protect animals and reassure the public. A licence should mean more than a piece of paper - it should mean inspections are happening, and there are consequences when welfare standards slip.  

But in 2025, we revealed a troubling truth: the dog breeding licensing system isn’t consistently delivering what it promises.  

There are thousands of licensed dog breeders across the UK. Many care for their dogs and maintain good standards. The problem is that the system relies on regular, expert oversight - and too often, that oversight isn’t happening. When councils don’t prioritise animal welfare, licensing teams are under-resourced, inspections become infrequent, and poor practices can go unchallenged for far too long. The result is a postcode lottery. Where you live can shape how well dogs are protected.  

We have looked closely at how this system works in practice, submitting hundreds of information requests to councils and speaking with licensing officers across the country. Again and again, we heard the same concerns: animal licensing can be treated as a “nice to have” rather than an essential service, and officers are often expected to assess complex welfare issues without the time, training, or support they need.  

It can mean licence applications are being approved without the relevant inspections happening as often as they should, and it can also mean enforcement action is rare even when serious concerns are identified. These issues are not as a result of enforcement officers not caring, but because the system doesn’t back them up. In too many cases, the worst-run businesses face little more than a warning, and the cycle continues.  

The All-Party Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) hosted the launch of our findings in the House of Commons last year, and there was cross-party recognition that the current approach needs strengthening. We  were also invited to speak at the Institute of Licensing’s annual conference, where licensing professionals welcomed the work - because it supports the same changes they are pushing for.   

Most importantly, the UK Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published just before Christmas, recognises the need for more consistent enforcement and stronger health and welfare standards for breeders. That is a vital step but it must now be matched with detail, resources, and delivery.  

Our message is simple: licensing can protect dogs, support responsible breeders, and give the public confidence but only if it is properly resourced, consistently enforced, and treated as the animal welfare safeguard it was meant to be. We stand ready to work with councils, licensing professionals, and the government to help make that happen.