Application for and issue of licence
4.—(1)  An application for a licence shall be made to the Director-General in such form or manner as the Director-General may require and shall be accompanied by —
(a)the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule; and
(b)such particulars, information and documents as the Director-General may specify.
(2)  On receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Director-General may —
(a)issue a licence to the applicant subject to such conditions as he thinks fit to impose; or
(b)refuse to issue a licence to the applicant.
(3)  In determining whether to issue or refuse to issue a licence, the Director-General may consider the suitability of the premises to be licensed as a pet shop or for any exhibition or distribution of animals or birds.
(4)  For the purposes of paragraph (3), the Director-General may, at any time —
(a)enter and inspect the premises in respect of which the application is made, or cause such premises to be inspected by an authorised officer;
(b)require the applicant to make available any relevant documentation for inspection and copying; and
(c)require the applicant, at his own expense, to make such alteration or improvement to such premises or to provide, fix or install such facilities and equipment as the Director-General may specify.
(5)  The Director-General may refuse to issue a licence to an applicant if —
(a)the applicant or one of his partners or, if the applicant is a body corporate, one of its directors —
(i)had previously been convicted of an offence under the Act; or
(ii)had previously held a licence issued under the Act and the licence was subsequently suspended or revoked under section 62 of the Act; or
(b)in the opinion of the Director-General, the premises in respect of which the licence is being applied for are not suitable for use as a pet shop or for any exhibition or distribution of animals or birds.
(6)  The Director-General may, at any time, vary or revoke any of the existing conditions imposed under paragraph (2)(a) or impose new conditions.
(7)  Every licence issued under this rule —
(a)shall be in such form as the Director-General may determine;
(b)shall be valid for the period stated therein unless it is revoked under section 62 of the Act; and
(c)may be renewed upon its expiry.
(8)  Paragraphs (1) to (7) shall apply, with the necessary modifications, to an application for the renewal of a licence.