Trade in animals intended for hobby breeding
Field of activity No. 11 under the Trade Licensing Act.
What you need: Specific expertise set by law (education, experience, certification).
- Vázaná živnost
- Field No. 11
- See conditions below
- 8 activity examples
Trade in animals intended for hobby breeding is a regulated trade (field no. 11 of Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act) authorising the purchase and sale of animals kept as a hobby. To operate it you must evidence professional qualification (education focused on animal husbandry, zootechnics or veterinary science, or retraining) together with corresponding practice.
Professional qualification under Section 24 and Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act – it is sufficient to meet one of the following variants:
1) University education in a programme focused on animal husbandry, zootechnics or veterinary medicine + 1 year of practice in the field.
2) Higher professional education in a field focused on animal husbandry, zootechnics or veterinary science + 2 years of practice in the field.
3) Secondary education with a school-leaving examination (maturita) in a field focused on animal husbandry, zootechnics or veterinary science + 2 years of practice in the field.
4) Secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in a field focused on animal husbandry or zootechnics + 3 years of practice in the field.
5) A retraining certificate issued by an accredited establishment + 4 years of practice in the field.
6) Documents under Section 7(5)(j), (k), (l) or (m) of the Trade Licensing Act (recognition of professional qualification obtained in another EU Member State).
The qualification may also be evidenced through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act.
Examples of activities
- Sale of ornamental and aquarium fish, aquatic plants and live aquaristic food
- Trade in small mammals for hobby breeding (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets)
- Sale of ornamental and exotic birds (budgerigars, parrots, canaries)
- Trade in terrarium animals (tortoises, lizards, snakes, amphibians)
- Sale of insects and invertebrates kept as a hobby (stick insects, tarantulas)
- Operation of a pet shop or zoo shop with live animals for home breeding
- Sale of animals from one's own hobby breeding to end customers
- Purchase, offer and sale of feed, breeding supplies and aids for animals in hobby breeding
What the trade is and what it is for
The trade Trade in animals intended for hobby breeding is a regulated trade listed under field no. 11 of Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.). It authorises you to commercially purchase and sell live animals that are kept for a person's hobby, companionship or leisure activity – that is, not for economic (production) purposes.
The purpose of classifying this activity among regulated trades is the protection of animals and of the consumer. Because it is trade in live creatures, the Act requires the entrepreneur to understand their biological needs, the conditions of breeding, feeding and transport. You must therefore evidence professional qualification by a document of education or retraining and by practice – it cannot be replaced merely by general practice, as is possible in craft trades.
What falls under this trade (and what does not)
The content of this trade is defined by Government Regulation No. 278/2008 Coll. and includes in particular:
- purchase of animals for the purpose of their further sale and sale of animals intended for hobby breeding (aquarium fish, small mammals and rabbits, exotic animals, in particular birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates and the like),
- sale of animals from one's own breeding,
- purchase, offer and sale of feed, breeding supplies and aids for animals in hobby breeding.
The sale of feed, cages, aquariums and breeding supplies is therefore part of this regulated trade if they are offered in connection with the trade in animals; there is no need to notify a separate unqualified (free) trade for them.
Important change from 1 July 2021: The words “dogs, cats” were removed from the content of this trade by an amendment (Government Regulation No. 208/2021 Coll.). Trade in dogs and cats can therefore no longer be carried on under this regulated trade; the breeding and sale of dogs and cats is subject to special rules (in particular Act No. 246/1992 Coll., on the protection of animals against cruelty, and registration and notification obligations towards the veterinary administration authorities).
Boundaries with neighbouring activities: This trade relates to trade in animals for hobby breeding. The breeding and training of animals on its own (with the exception of livestock production), by contrast, is an unqualified (free) trade (the field “Breeding and training of animals (with the exception of livestock production, save for professional veterinary acts)”), for which professional qualification is not evidenced. You may not perform veterinary acts – those may be provided only by a veterinary surgeon under special regulations. Remember also that trade in endangered species (CITES) is subject to separate records and a permit under Act No. 100/2004 Coll.
Statutory conditions for obtaining it
To notify it, you must meet two groups of conditions.
1) General conditions (Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act): full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. The clean criminal record is evidenced by an extract from the Criminal Records, which the office obtains itself. The Act does not require medical fitness or liability insurance for this trade.
2) Professional qualification (Section 24 and Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act): It is sufficient to meet one of the following variants of education and practice:
| Education | Required practice |
|---|---|
| University education focused on animal husbandry, zootechnics or veterinary medicine | 1 year |
| Higher professional education in the field of animal husbandry, zootechnics or veterinary science | 2 years |
| Secondary education with the maturita in the said fields | 2 years |
| Secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate (animal husbandry, zootechnics) | 3 years |
| A retraining certificate from an accredited establishment | 4 years |
Professional qualification obtained in another EU Member State may also be recognised (documents under Section 7(5)(j), (k), (l) or (m)), in accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC. The conditions of professional qualification and the manner of evidencing it are governed by Sections 7 and 8 of the Trade Licensing Act.
Responsible representative (Section 11): If you do not meet the qualification yourself, you may appoint a responsible representative who meets the conditions and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. One person may act as a responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.
How to notify or obtain the trade step by step
- Fill in the Unified Registration Form (URF). It serves both to notify the trade and to register with the tax office, the social security administration and the health insurance company.
- Submit the notification at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal or at a Czech POINT office.
- Evidence professional qualification (a diploma, certificate or retraining certificate) and documents of practice.
- Pay the administrative fee of CZK 1,000 for notifying the first trade; for electronic submission CZK 800.
- Wait for the entry. The Trade Licensing Office enters the trade in the Trade Register within 5 working days of the notification being delivered. The trade licence arises already on the day of notification.
You will find the detailed procedure in the guide How to start a trade.
Documents and fees
- a completed Unified Registration Form (URF),
- proof of professional qualification (education or a retraining certificate),
- proof of practice of the length according to the education attained,
- proof of identity; the clean criminal record is verified by the office itself,
- where applicable, documents of the appointment of a responsible representative,
- administrative fee of CZK 1,000 (in paper form) or CZK 800 (electronically).
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell animals without education in the field?
Without documented professional qualification the trade cannot be notified. If you have neither education nor retraining, appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the conditions.
Is a retraining course enough for me?
Yes. A retraining certificate from an accredited establishment is sufficient, but you must also evidence 4 years of practice in the field.
Can I also sell feed and breeding supplies under this trade?
Yes. The purchase, offer and sale of feed, breeding supplies and aids for animals in hobby breeding are part of the content of this regulated trade, if they are offered in connection with the trade in animals.
Can I trade in dogs and cats under this trade?
No. As of 1 July 2021 the words “dogs, cats” were removed from the content of this trade. Trade in dogs and cats no longer falls under this regulated trade and is governed by special regulations on the protection of animals.
When can I start trading?
The licence arises on the day of notification, so you can trade immediately after submitting a complete notification and paying the fee. The office enters the trade in the Register within 5 working days.
Do other regulations also apply to me?
Yes. Besides the Trade Licensing Act, comply in particular with Act No. 246/1992 Coll., on the protection of animals against cruelty (including the notification obligation towards the regional veterinary administration before commencing the sale of animals in hobby breeding), and for protected species with Act No. 100/2004 Coll. (CITES).