Pet Industry Federation calls for consistency in animal licensing data
PIF has written to the government to call for more consistent reporting and enforcement

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The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) has published an analysis of animal licensing returns from local authorities in England, highlighting growth in home boarding and dog daycare alongside a decline in kennels, catteries and pet sales businesses.
The report, covering 2023 to 2025, found that licence fees increased by an average of 9% over the past year, with dog daycare seeing some of the sharpest rises.
It also identified weaknesses in the quality of submissions, with incomplete or inconsistent reporting limiting comparisons across councils.
The 20-page report includes a three-year comparison of licence numbers, analysis of sector trends, a review of incomplete data, and a breakdown of licence fee changes across England.
PIF has written to the government to call for more consistent reporting and enforcement.
The trade body, which represents the UK pet industry, said the findings will help licensed businesses assess market trends and compare their licence fees with those set by other authorities.
Nigel Baker, chief executive of PIF, said: “This is the most comprehensive overview of local authority licensing currently available. It provides essential insight into market movements and highlights the need for more consistent reporting to support businesses, regulators and policymakers.”