The keeping and running of animal boarding establishments (Catteries and Kennels) is controlled by the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.

Licensing of Animal Boarding Establishments
Application for a licence must be made to the Local Authority and a licence may be issued if the applicant is not disqualified under any of the following Acts:

a) The Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963.

b) The Pet Animals Act 1951.

c) The Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954.

d) The Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) (Scotland) Act 1934.

Payment
Animal Boarding Licence: £199.
The licence period runs from December to December

- Application for Animal Boarding Establishment Licence

HOME BOARDING

A Pet Sitting Licence is required by anyone providing boarding service in their own home for other people's animals.

Licences to board these animals are issued under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963, and must be renewed annually.

Once an application has been received, an officer will arrange to inspect the premises to ensure its suitability. The licence will be issued once all licence conditions are met, and after payment of the licence fee.

Payment

Animal Home Boarding Licence: £57.
The licence period runs from December to December

- Application for Homeboarding Licence

Council Duties

Before being granted a licence the applicant must be able to demonstrate to the veterinary appointed by the local authority:
-that the animals will at all times be kept in accommodation suitable in respect of construction, size of quarters, number of occupants, exercising facilities, temperatures, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness.

-that animals will be adequately supplied with suitable food, drink and bedding materials, adequately exercised, and (so far as is necessary) visited at suitable intervals.

-that all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent and control the spread of infectious or contagious diseases, including the provision of adequate isolation facilities.

-that appropriate measures will be taken to protect the animals in case of fire or other emergency, including the provision of suitable fire fighting equipment.

-that a register containing a description of any animal received into the establishment, the date of arrival and departure, and the name and address of the owner will be kept, and that the register will be available for inspection at all times by a Licensing inspector or by a Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinary Practitioner authorised by the Council.

A licence may be refused or withheld on other grounds if those grounds are such that conditions were not suitable for the boarding of animals.
Each licence issued is subject to standard conditions that are imposed on all animal boarding establishments licensed by the Council.
In addition to the standard conditions a licence may also contain special conditions that are only applicable to your premises.

Right of Appeal
Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence or by any conditions to which a licence is subject may appeal to the Magistrates Courts who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.

Offences and Penalties
The following offences and penalties apply to the keeping of animal boarding establishment.
Anybody found guilty of keeping an animal boarding establishment without a licence may be subject to a fine not exceeding £500 or to three months imprisonment or both.
Anybody found guilty of failing to comply with the conditions of their licences may be subject to a fine not exceeding £500 or to three months imprisonment or both.
Anybody found guilty of obstructing or delaying an Inspector, or authorised Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinary Practitioner in the exercising of their powers of entry may be fined up to a maximum of £500.
If found guilty under this Act, the defendant's licence may be cancelled and they may be disqualified from keeping an animal boarding establishment for such length of time the Court thinks fit.

Further Information
A Copy of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 and other legislation mentioned in this page can be purchased from The Stationery Office.
If you require advice or further information, you can contact us:

By Phone: 01376 551414 ext 2217

By Fax: 01376 557767

By Email - envprotection@braintree.gov.uk