Permit for large-scale animal husbandry and activities with animals
If you want to keep a large number of companion animals or horses, you may need to apply for a permit from the County Administrative Board. If you run a professional activity involving companion animals or horses, you always need a permit.
On this page, you can find out when you need to apply for a permit to keep a large number of animals or run an activity involving animals.
Contact the County Administrative Board for advice on what applies to your animal species.
The e-services and forms of the County Administrative Board in this field are not available in English. If you wish to submit an application or notification, you may contact the County Administrative Board, which can inform you how to proceed.
When you need a permit for large-scale animal husbandry and activities with animals
When you need a permit to keep horses, dogs and cats
You must have a permit if you keep:
- 10 or more horses that are older than 24 months;
- 10 or more dogs that are older than 12 months; or
- 10 or more cats that are older than 12 months.
When you need a breeding permit
You must have a permit to breed:
- four or more foals per year;
- three or more litters of kittens per year; or
- three or more litters of puppies per year.
When you need a permit to sell animals
You must have a permit to sell animals that you have bred yourself if you sell:
- four or more horses per year;
- dogs from three or more litters per year; or
- cats from three or more litters per year.
You must have a permit to sell animals that someone else has bred if you sell:
- four or more horses per year;
- three or more dogs per year; or
- three or more cats per year.
When you need a permit to keep or feed animals
Keeping or feeding animals means that you regularly care for other people’s animals for payment, or take in animals for homing. This could be, for example, a dog day-care service, a cattery or dog kennels, a rehoming centre or stables.
You must have a permit if you keep or feed:
- four or more horses;
- four or more dogs;
- four or more cats;
- six or more rabbits or ferrets per year; or
- six or more spaces per year to keep rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians or fish. Such spaces include, for example, cages, aquariums and terrariums.
When you need a permit to lease or rent out animals
Leasing animals means renting out animals for payment without you yourself, as the keeper, being present, for example trekking, sled dog activities, or renting out rabbits for the summer.
You must have a permit if you lease:
- four or more horses per year;
- three or more dogs per year;
- three or more cats per year;
- six or more rabbits or ferrets per year; or
- six or more spaces per year to keep rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians or fish. Such spaces include, for example, cages, aquariums and terrariums.
You always need a permit for professional activities involving animals
You must have a permit if the activity is carried out on a professional basis. It is the purpose that is decisive, not the number of animals you keep.
The following are examples of activities that need a permit:
- riding schools
- pet shops
- animal wholesalers
- class-A trainers in trotting
- breeders of feeder animals.
You always need a permit to breed fur animals
If you breed fur animals, you must always have a permit. Fur animals include mink, chinchillas and foxes.
Other permits may be required
If you exhibit animals to the public, you must instead have a permit for public exhibition.
In certain cases, you must have a permit from the municipality. This applies, for example, if you want to keep snakes, hens or horses in a built-up area.
