The Animal Health and Licensing team has a duty to protect the welfare of animals at farms, in transit, at markets and other business premises to prevent, control and eradicate animal diseases and ensure that animal movements can be traced to safeguard human and animal health from transmitted disease.

The team also licences premises dealing with animals, for example pet shops, animal boarding or riding establishments, dog breeders, dangerous wild animals and zoos as well as maintaining a register of persons approved to train and use performing animals.  Licences make sure that premises are kept up to appropriate standards and animals are cared for.