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Animal boarding establishment licence

To run a boarding kennel or cattery, you need a licence from the local authority. The number of dogs and cats that may be accommodated will be specified on the licence along with other specific conditions.

Officers will visit each premises to check compliance with the legislation and licence conditions prior to issuing a licence.

We may authorise an officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner to inspect licensed premises.

Licence conditions

No person may keep a boarding establishment for animals without first obtaining a licence from the council.

Application for a licence must be made to the council and a licence may be issued if the applicant is not disqualified under any of the following Acts:

The Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963.
The Pet Animals Act 1951.
The Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954.
The Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) (Scotland) Act 1934.

Where a licence is granted, that licence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31 December of the year to which the licence relates and must be renewed before that date if the premises are to continue as an animal boarding establishment.

Standard Licensing Conditions for Animal Boarding Establishments

Service standards

We will acknowledge receipt of your application within 4 working days

We will determine your application within 28 days

Licence fees and charges

Relevant legislation: Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 as amended by the Animal Welfare Act 2006

The authority will charge a fee of £215.00 that you will pay on-line to process your application. The fee is the same whether you apply on-line or by post (businesslink.gov.uk or UK Welcomes do not charge an additional fee for on-line applications).

Application evaluation process

A fee is payable for each application and conditions will be attached to any licence granted.

An officer will visit the premises and the following things will be considered before we decide whether to grant a licence:

That the animals will be kept in suitable accommodation at all times. Suitable accommodation takes into account the construction and size of the accommodation, the number of animals to be housed in it, facilities for exercising the animals, cleanliness and temperature, lighting and ventilation provisions.
That suitable food, drink and bedding materials will be provided and that the animals are exercised and visited regularly.
That steps are taken to prevent and control the spread of disease among the animals and that isolation facilities are in place.
That adequate protection is provided to the animals in the case of fire and other emergencies.
That a register is kept. The register should contain a description of all animals received, their arrival and departure date and the name and address of the owner. The register should be available to be inspected at any time by a local authority officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner.

Will tacit consent apply?

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your licence has been granted if you have not heard from us 28 days after we received your application.