Descriptoin
- The JPV Pet Shop License (Lesen Aktiviti Melibatkan Haiwan) is a mandatory regulatory licensing service provided by the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar - JPV) under the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (Akta Kebajikan Haiwan 2015). This license is compulsory for pet store businesses engaged in commercial activities involving live animals, such as selling pets, providing pet hotel/accommodation, or managing animal shelters. The licensing framework ensures all pet establishments adhere to the strict biological security, structural hygiene, and animal welfare standards set by the Malaysian government, providing safe environments for animals and customers alike.
GOV Department
- Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar (JPV) / Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Malaysia
License Name (Malay)
- Lesen Aktiviti Melibatkan Haiwan
Details
- Application Process:
- Applications must be submitted online through the official JPV MyAnimalWelfare (AWA) system portal.
- Applicants need to provide:
- A valid Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM) business registration.
- A valid business premise license from the local municipal council (e.g., MBJB, DBKL).
- Owner's identification documents (MyKad / Passport).
- Clear photographs of the retail premise (Front view showing entrance, left and right neighboring shops, rear view, and interior setup).
- A detailed Premise Layout Plan (Pelan Susun Atur) showing clear measurements in feet, location of animal cages, sale counters, pet food sections, and isolation areas.
- Applicants must not have any prior animal cruelty or regulatory convictions under the Animal Welfare Act 2015 within the last 5 years.
- Prior to approval, a physical inspection will be conducted by JPV officers to ensure compliance with the Animal Welfare Code of Practice (Kod Amalan Kebajikan Haiwan).
- Approved applicants must settle the licensing fees through the portal before the official license can be printed.
- Fees:
- The official licensing fee is RM100.00 for first-time applications.
- The license is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually at a fee of RM50.00.
- (Note: If the shop provides both pet sales AND pet hotel/boarding, separate licenses under individual categories are required).
- Usage Period:
- The license is granted to the approved premise and is active 24/7 for the duration of the 1-year validity period, subject to strict ongoing compliance.
- Business operation hours must align with the permitted hours granted by the local municipal council premise license.
- Responsibilities of Lessees:
- Ensure the licensed premise is used strictly for the approved animal activities stated in the license.
- The official JPV license must be prominently displayed at the premise's main counter or entrance.
- Maintain clean, hygienic, and odor-free conditions inside and outside the shop, ensuring proper waste disposal.
- Provide adequate, clean, and safe housing/cages, sufficient ventilation, appropriate food, and water for all animals in accordance with the Code of Practice.
Important Rules
- Strict Age Restriction: Animals must not be sold to anyone under 12 years old unless they are accompanied and supervised by an adult.
- Banned Breeds Restriction: It is strictly prohibited to import, breed, sell, or keep restricted/banned animal or dog breeds as designated by the government.
- No Sidewalk Encroachment: Cages, pets, pet accessories, or business displays cannot be placed on public sidewalks, open spaces, or corridors outside the shop lot.
- No Unauthorized Modifications: Major layout modifications that alter the structural airflow, drainage, or approved cage zones cannot be made without prior JPV notification and supplementary approval.
- Location Zoning Rules: Pet shops must not be operated directly adjacent to specific restricted establishments, including Food & Beverage (F&B) outlets, medical clinics, educational centers, or pure residential zones.
Compound & Punishment
- Operating Without a License: Any individual or company selling live pets or providing boarding services without a valid JPV license commits a severe offense under Section 15 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015. Offenders face immediate prosecution, leading to massive fines, imprisonment, or both, alongside the immediate seizure of all animals.
- Selling to Minors: Violating the age limit rule by selling pets to children under 12 years old carries legal penalties under Section 28 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
- Animal Cruelty or Neglect: Failure to provide standard care, proper clean enclosures, or clean water constitutes animal neglect. Under Section 29 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, offenders are liable to hefty statutory fines, jail time, and an immediate permanent revocation of their business license.
- Unauthorized Sidewalk Use & Encroachment: Placing cages or animals outside the premise bounds on public walkways will trigger heavy fines, compounds, and item confiscations by local municipal council enforcement officers.
- Immediate Revocation: JPV reserves the absolute right to cancel or revoke the license immediately if the business violates any biological safety rules, fails an inspection, or causes public environmental pollution.
Advisor
Licensing Advisor Ms Mira
Ms. Mira, your dedicated licensing advisor, offers expert guidance on business licenses, permits, and regulatory compliance. Simplify your licensing process today!
This is a mandatory commercial license issued by the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (JPV) under the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (Akta Kebajikan Haiwan 2015). Any business involved in commercial activities with live animals, such as selling pets, providing pet hotels/boarding, or operating pet grooming setups, must secure this license. A standard municipal council premise license (e.g., MBJB, DBKL) alone is not legally sufficient.
No. If your retail shop does not house, display, or sell any live animals (such as cats, dogs, hamsters, or birds) and does not offer pet boarding services, you do not need to apply for this JPV license. A standard business premise license from your local municipal council is sufficient for selling dry goods, pet food, and accessories.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have no prior criminal convictions or records related to animal cruelty within the last 5 years. Furthermore, your business location must hold a valid SSM registration, a local council premise license (or proof of application), and the shop's physical setup must fully comply with JPV animal welfare layout and space guidelines.
No, you cannot. Within the JPV MyAnimalWelfare online application portal, "Live Animal Sales (Aktiviti Jualan Haiwan Hidup Dalam Kurungan)" and "Pet Accommodation/Boarding (Aktiviti Penginapan Haiwan)" are treated as two distinct business categories. If your shop offers both retail sales and a pet hotel, you must select and apply for both categories separately.
The official government licensing fee is RM100.00 for first-time new applications. The license is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually at a fee of RM50.00. Please note that this fee covers the JPV license only and excludes local municipal council premise fees or any third-party consultation charges.
According to JPV Location Zoning Rules, to maintain high standards of public health and food safety, pet shops cannot be established directly adjacent to or sharing immediate boundaries with Food & Beverage (F&B) outlets, medical clinics, educational institutions, or strictly residential zones. It is highly recommended to perform a zoning assessment before signing a shop lot lease.
You must submit a clear, dimensioned Pelan Susun Atur measured strictly in feet. The layout plan must clearly identify specific designated zones: the placement of animal cages, the cash counter, the pet food storage/display section, and most importantly, a dedicated Isolation Area used to separate and quarantine sick or newly arrived animals.
Yes. Once your online documents pass the initial desktop screening, JPV enforcement officers will schedule an on-site physical compliance inspection of your shop. They will strictly evaluate your ventilation systems, ambient lighting, waste drainage, cleanliness, cage sizing (ensuring animals can stretch comfortably), and the consistent provision of clean water and food.
Absolutely not. This action violates both local council street bylaws and JPV animal welfare welfare rules. All live animals, display enclosures, and product structures must remain entirely within the boundaries of your licensed commercial lot. Placing cages on the sidewalk (走廊) is considered public encroachment and will result in fines, confiscation, or immediate license revocation.
Under Section 28 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, pet establishments are strictly prohibited from selling any live animal to children under 12 years old, unless they are accompanied and supervised by a parent or adult guardian. Violating this rule constitutes a serious offense, which can trigger statutory penalties, heavy court compounds, or the direct cancellation of your business license.