Animal boarding establishment licence

Licence summary

To run a boarding kennel or cattery, or board dogs in your own home, 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.

A local authority may authorise an officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner to inspect licensed premises.

Eligibility Criteria    
An applicant must not be disqualified from any of the following at the time of the application:

• keeping an animal boarding establishment
• keeping a pet shop under  the Pet Animals Act 1951
• keeping animals under the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
•  owning, keeping, being involved in the keeping or being entitled to control or influence the keeping of animals, dealing in animals or transporting or being involved in the transportation of animals under the Animal Welfare Act 2006
• owning, keeping, dealing in or transporting animals under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

Regulation Summary    

A summary of the regulation relating to this licence

Application Evaluation Process    
Fees will be payable for applications and conditions may be attached.

The following criteria will be considered when the application is being evaluated:

• 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 application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period. The target completion period is 39 days.

Apply online    

The fee to accompany the application is £119 pro rata, please contact your Local Authority in the first instance. Payment can be made online.

Apply to run an animal boarding establishment

Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances

Renew your licence to run an animal boarding licence

Apply by post

 The fee to accompany the application is £119 pro rata, please contact your Local Authority in the first instance.

Application form (msword, 40 KB) (word)

Applicant complaints 
Any applicant who is refused a licence can appeal to their local Magistrates' court or, in Scotland, to their local Sheriff.

Licence Holder Redress    
Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance.
Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to their licence can appeal to their local Magistrates' court or, in Scotland, to their local Sheriff.

Consumer Complaint    
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Other Redress    
E.g. about noise, pollution, etc. Also should one licence holder complain about another.

Trade Associations    
Pet Care Trust (PCT)
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Premises currently licensed

A list of those premises currently licensed can be found on this page. 

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