Form

Apply for a Certificate of Exemption for an XL Bully dog: rehoming organisations

This page has been withdrawn. Rehoming organisations can no longer use the ACER1 form to apply for a Certificate of Exemption for up to 30 XL bully dogs.

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
12 January 2024

This publication was withdrawn on

The closing date for Defra to receive email and postal applications from rehoming organisations was 22 January 2024.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Rehoming organisations: apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully dog

Ref: ACER1

PDF, 874 KB, 7 pages

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Details

Rescue and rehoming organisations should use the ACER1 form to apply to keep an XL Bully dog. The dog must have been taken into the rehoming organisation’s care on or before 30 December 2023.

On 31 December 2023 it became against the law to:

  • sell an XL Bully dog
  • abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray
  • give away an XL Bully dog
  • breed from an XL Bully dog
  • have an XL Bully dog in public without a lead and muzzle

From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless the dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption.

Find out more about how to prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs.

Before you apply

Before you apply for a Certificate of Exemption by email or post, you must:

  • pay the £92.40 fee for each dog you want to apply for – you’ll need your 10 digit payment reference number
  • have third party liability insurance for banned breeds of dogs – you’ll need to know the start date of your insurance

If your dog is microchipped, you’ll need to provide the microchip number. To find the microchip number, you should check the dog’s vaccination record or ask a vet. Microchip numbers usually have 15 digits.

Where to send the form

Email your form to dogsindex@defra.gov.uk or post it to:

Dogs Index
PO Box 68250
London
SW1P 9XG

Rehoming organisations must make sure Defra receives the application by 22 January 2024.

Evidence rehoming organisations must provide

You must also provide 2 pieces of evidence about your rehoming organisation – one document from list A and one document from list B. Both must be dated before 31 October 2023 and clearly show the name of your organisation.

List A: when your rehoming organisation was established

You need to provide one piece of evidence that shows your rehoming organisation was established on 31 October 2023. Examples of evidence Defra will accept include:

  • a constitution document
  • a charity registration certificate from the Charity Commission or charity number

List B: when rehoming or rescue and rehoming activities began

You need to provide one piece of evidence that shows your rehoming organisation was carrying out rehoming and rescue activities on 31 October 2023. Examples of evidence Defra will accept include:

  • rehoming organisation internal records
  • advertising materials stating the services you provide
  • correspondence or an invoice from your vet practice

Get help

For help with this form, email: dogsindex@defra.gov.uk

Updates to this page

Published 12 January 2024

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