What licenses does a dog grooming business need?
There are no specific licences that apply to pet grooming establishments. However, as with most businesses there are relevant legislations to be aware of – especially since you will be working with animals.
Although, be aware that if you use copyright music in your business, even just background music from a radio in your salon or mobile van, then you will need a Music Licence from PPL PRS, which can be purchased online.
The Animal Welfare Act brings together and modernises previous welfare legislation and ensures greater protection for all animals under human care or supervision in England and Wales, which means that you will be responsible for the welfare of any animals you groom while they are in your care.
Be aware that careless pet groomers have in the past faced criminal prosecution for acts of negligence and cruelty involving incidents such as burns to animals caused by incorrectly used dryers and other equipment. Therefore being aware of the Animal Welfare Act and taking steps to minimise any risk is of utmost importance to your dog grooming business.
As you may be using chemicals that are potentially harmful, you should be aware of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations. COSHH is important in order to protect yourself and your staff from harm as even mild substances like shampoos and sprays can cause skin issues if used often without protective equipment!
What licences does a pet grooming business need?
There are no specific licences that apply to pet grooming establishments. Do be aware though that if you use copyright music in your business – even just background music from a radio in your grooming parlour or mobile van – then you will need a Music Licence from PPL PRS Ltd. There is an annual fee for this which you can pay online on the PPL PRS website.
If you advise on, arrange or assist in selling general insurance such as pet insurance, then you must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) even if insurance is only a very small part of your business. Businesses whose activities are covered by general insurance regulation need to be either directly authorised by the FCA or an appointed representative of a principal FCA authorised insurer. Contact the FCA for further information.
You should be aware of animal welfare legislation that is designed to protect animals. The Animal Welfare Act brings together and modernises previous welfare legislation and ensures greater protection for all animals under human care or supervision in England and Wales. You will be responsible for the welfare of any animals you groom while they are in your care. Dog and cat welfare codes of practice exist to provide animal owners and keepers with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their animals, as required under the Act. There is detailed information on legislation covering pet welfare and animal cruelty on the Gov.uk website.
Be aware that careless pet groomers have in the past faced criminal prosecution for acts of negligence and cruelty involving incidents such as burns to animals caused by incorrectly used dryers.
As you may be using potentially harmful chemicals, such as organophosphates and carbamates, you should be aware of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH). The Health and Safety Executives interactive COSHH Essentials website gives you practical advice to help you control the health risks from chemicals.
Be aware that even relatively mild substances like shampoos and sprays can cause sensitisation and dermatitis over time if used regularly without protection.
A range of legislation exits to protect consumers and safeguard their rights. This legislation applies to services provided as well as goods sold, and covers matters such as fair trading, honesty, acceptable quality and price information. You can find out more about consumer protection legislation and businesses legal obligations towards their customers on the Trading Standards Business Companion website.
You must comply with workplace health and safety and fire safety legislation.
Be aware of the potential hazards of working with animals, such as dog attacks and infections resulting from cat scratches and bites.
If you dont have business premises but you work instead from a mobile grooming parlour you should still take steps to ensure fire safety.
Further information and guidance leaflets on all aspects of health and safety are available on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) websites.
Anyone employing staff must comply with employment legislation. Important areas of legislation include recruitment, employment contracts, pay, working hours, holidays, employment policies, sickness, maternity, paternity, discrimination, discipline, grievances, dismissals, redundancies and employment tribunals.
How to become Explore the different ways to get into this role.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a course in dog grooming like:
These are offered by colleges and private training centres.
Youll usually need:
You could get into this job through a dog grooming intermediate apprenticeship.
There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:
You could start as an assistant with a qualified and experienced dog groomer and learn on the job.
You could get experience by doing voluntary work with dogs in kennels, which can help when applying for courses or jobs.
The Dogs Trust and Do-IT have more information on volunteering opportunities.
You could take a private training course to get some of the skills and knowledge needed in this job. The National Pet College has accredited some organisations to deliver professional training.
You can find out more about becoming a dog groomer from the National Pet College.
Do you need a license to be a dog groomer?
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This guidance is for local authority inspectors in England. You should read it alongside the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
To decide if an activity is covered by the regulations and needs a licence to operate, you should consider all of the following guidance.
All dog day care activities need a licence if they’re carried out as a commercial business.
To decide if an activity is a business and will need a licence, consider if the operator:
If someone has a trading income below the HMRC trading income allowance, they do not require a licence for their activities.
If someone has a trading income above the HMRC trading income allowance, they do not automatically qualify as a business.
Every business must keep an up-to-date list of all their premises where they carry out activities covered by the LAIA 2018 regulations.
It is expected that all businesses will meet and maintain minimum standards. If on a renewal inspection you identify minor failings that do not compromise welfare standards, follow the risk-based approach to renewing a licence.
To grant a new animal activities licence for day care for dogs, you must check that businesses meet all of the minimum standards in this guidance.
Businesses that want to achieve a 4 or 5 star rating in the Animals activity star rating system must meet the higher standards in this guidance.
If a dog day care facility would like to qualify at the higher standards, the business must meet:
If a business meets the higher standards, they qualify for a longer licence that’s valid for 2 or 3 years rather than for one year. They’ll also pay a lower licence fee.
Read the Animal activity licensing process guidance on the star rating system and how it incorporates a risk assessment of the business.