Animal Activity licence conditions

Conditions for providing boarding for cats or dogs

General conditions for providing boarding for cats and dogs

1. Licence display

  • 1).  A copy of the licence must be clearly and prominently displayed on any premises on which the licensable activity is carried on.
  • 2).  The name of the licence holder followed by the number of the licence holder’s licence must be clearly and prominently displayed on any website used in respect of the licensable activity.

2. Records

  • 1).  The licence holder must ensure that at any time all the records that the licence holder is required to keep as a condition of the licence are available for inspection by an inspector in a visible and legible form or, where any such records are stored in electronic form, in a form from which they can readily be produced in a visible and legible form.
  • 2).  The licence holder must keep all such records for at least three years beginning with the date on which the record was created.

3. Use, number and type of animal

  • 1).  No animals or types of animal other than those animals and types of animal specified in the licence may be used in relation to the relevant licensable activity.
  • 2).  The number of animals kept for the activity at any time must not exceed the maximum that is reasonable taking into account the facilities and staffing on any premises on which the licensable activity is carried on.

4. Staffing

  • 1).  Sufficient numbers of people who are competent for the purpose must be available to provide a level of care that ensures that the welfare needs of all the animals are met.
  • 2).  The licence holder or a designated manager and any staff employed to care for the animals must have competence to identify the normal behaviour of the species for which they are caring and to recognise signs of, and take appropriate measures to mitigate or prevent, pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour.
  • 3).  The licence holder must provide and ensure the implementation of a written training policy for all staff.

5. Suitable environment

  • 1).  All areas, equipment and appliances to which the animals have access must present minimal risks of injury, illness and escape and must be constructed in materials that are robust, safe and durable, in a good state of repair and well maintained.
  • 2).  Animals must be kept at all times in an environment suitable to their species and condition (including health status and age) with respect to:
    • (a) their behavioural needs
    • (b) its situation, space, air quality, cleanliness and temperature
    • (c) the water quality (where relevant)
    • (d) noise levels
    • (e) light levels
    • (f) ventilation
  • 3).  Staff must ensure that the animals are kept clean and comfortable.
  • 4).  Where appropriate for the species, a toileting area and opportunities for toileting must be provided.
  • 5).  Procedures must be in place to ensure accommodation and any equipment within it is cleaned as often as necessary and good hygiene standards are maintained and the accommodation must be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
  • 6).  The animals must be transported and handled in a manner (including for example in relation to housing, temperature, ventilation and frequency) that protects them from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
  • 7).  All the animals must be easily accessible to staff and for inspection and there must be sufficient light for the staff to work effectively and observe the animals.
  • 8).  All resources must be provided in a way (for example as regards. frequency, location and access points) that minimises competitive behaviour or the dominance of individual animals.
  • 9).  The animals must not be left unattended in any situation or for any period likely to cause them distress.

6. Suitable diet

  • 1).  The animals must be provided with a suitable diet in terms of quality, quantity and frequency and any new feeds must be introduced gradually to allow the animals to adjust to them.
  • 2).  Feed and (where appropriate) water intake must be monitored, and any problems recorded and addressed.
  • 3).  Feed and drinking water provided to the animals must be unspoilt and free from contamination.
  • 4).  Feed and drinking receptacles must be capable of being cleaned and disinfected, or disposable.
  • 5).  Constant access to fresh, clean drinking water must be provided in a suitable receptacle for the species that requires it.
  • 6).  Where feed is prepared on the premises on which the licensable activity is carried on, there must be hygienic facilities for its preparation, including a working surface, hot and cold running water and storage.

7. Monitoring of behaviour and training of animals

  • 1).  Active and effective environmental enrichment must be provided to the animals in inside and any outside environments.
  • 2). For species whose welfare depends partly on exercise, opportunities to exercise which benefit the animals’ physical and mental health must be provided, unless advice from a veterinarian suggests otherwise.
  • 3. ) The animals’ behaviour and any changes of behaviour must be monitored and advice must be sought, as appropriate and without delay, from a veterinarian or, in the case of fish, any person competent to give such advice if adverse or abnormal behaviour is detected.
  • 4).  Where used, training methods or equipment must not cause pain, suffering or injury.
  • 5).  All immature animals must be given suitable and adequate opportunities to:
    • (a) learn how to interact with people, their own species and other animals where such interaction benefits their welfare, and
    • (b) become habituated to noises, objects and activities in their environment

8. Animal handling and interactions

  • 1).  All people responsible for the care of the animals must be competent in the appropriate handling of each animal to protect it from pain, suffering, injury or disease.
  • 2).  The animals must be kept separately or in suitable compatible social groups appropriate to the species and individual animals and no animals from a social species may be isolated or separated from others of their species for any longer than is necessary.
  • 3).  The animals must have at least daily opportunities to interact with people where such interaction benefits their welfare.

9. Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease

  • 1).  Written procedures must:
    • (a) be in place and implemented covering:
      • (i) feeding regimes
      • (ii) cleaning regimes
      • (iii) transportation
      • (iv) the prevention of, and control of the spread of, disease
      • (v) monitoring and ensuring the health and welfare of all the animals
      • (vi) the death or escape of an animal (including the storage of carcasses)
    • (b) be in place covering the care of the animals following the suspension or revocation of the licence or during and following an emergency.
  • 2). All people responsible for the care of the animals must be made fully aware of these procedures.
  • 3).  Appropriate isolation, in separate self-contained facilities, must be available for the care of sick, injured or potentially infectious animals.
  • 4).  All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent and control the spread among the animals and people of infectious diseases, pathogens and parasites.
  • 5). All excreta and soiled bedding for disposal must be stored and disposed of in a hygienic manner and in accordance with any relevant legislation.
  • 6).  Sick or injured animals must receive prompt attention from a veterinarian or, in the case of fish, an appropriately competent person and the advice of that veterinarian or, in the case of fish, that competent person must be followed.
  • 7).  Where necessary, animals must receive preventative treatment by an appropriately competent person.
  • 8).  The licence holder must register with a veterinarian with an appropriate level of experience in the health and welfare requirements of any animals specified in the licence and the contact details of that veterinarian must be readily available to all staff on the premises on which the licensable activity is carried on.
  • 9).  Prescribed medicines must be stored safely and securely to safeguard against unauthorised access, at the correct temperature, and used in accordance with the instructions of the veterinarian.
  • 10).  Medicines other than prescribed medicines must be stored, used and disposed of in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer or veterinarian.
  • 11).  Cleaning products must be suitable, safe and effective against pathogens that pose a risk to the animals and must be used, stored and disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and used in a way which prevents distress or suffering of the animals.
  • 12).  No person may euthanise an animal except a veterinarian or a person who has been authorised by a veterinarian as competent for such purpose or: 
    • (a) in the case of fish, a person who is competent for such purpose
    • (b) in the case of horses, a person who is competent, and who holds a licence or certificate, for such purpose
  • 13).  All animals must be checked at least once daily and more regularly as necessary to check for any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour and vulnerable animals must be checked more frequently.
  • 14).  Any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour must be recorded and the advice and further advice (if necessary) of a veterinarian (or in the case of fish, of an appropriately competent person) must be sought and followed.

10. Emergencies

  • 1).  A written emergency plan, acceptable to the local authority, must be in place, known and available to all the staff on the premises on which the licensable activity is carried on, and followed where necessary to ensure appropriate steps are taken to protect all the people and animals on the premises in case of fire or in case of breakdowns of essential heating, ventilation and aeration or filtration systems or other emergencies.
  • 2).  The plan must include details of the emergency measures to be taken for the extrication of the animals should the premises become uninhabitable and an emergency telephone list that includes the fire service and police.
  • 3).  External doors and gates must be lockable.
  • 4).  A designated key holder with access to all animal areas must at all times be within reasonable travel distance of the premises and available to attend in an emergency.

Specific conditions for providing boarding for cats

B1.Interpretation

  • In this part:
    • cat unit means the physical structure and area that comprises a sleeping area and an exercise run
    • exercise run means an enclosed area forming part of the cat unit attached to and with direct and permanent access to the sleeping area
    • premises means the premises on which the licensable activity of providing boarding for cats is carried on

B2.Suitable environment

  • 1).  Cats within the premises must be prevented from coming into direct contact with other animals from outside the premises.
  • 2).  There must be a safe, secure, waterproof roof over the entire cat unit.
  • 3).  A cat unit may only be shared by cats from the same household.
  • 4).  Communal exercise areas are not permitted.
  • 5).  Each cat unit must be clearly numbered and there must be a system in place which ensures that information about the cat or cats in each cat unit is available to all staff and any inspector.
  • 6).  Each cat unit must provide the cat with sufficient space to:
    • (a) walk
    • (b) turn around
    • (c) stand on its hind legs
    • (d) hold its tail erect
    • (e) climb
    • (f) rest on the elevated area, and
    • (g) lie down fully stretched out without touching another cat or the walls
  • 7).  Each cat unit must have sufficient space for each cat to sit, rest, eat and drink away from the area where it urinates and defecates.
  • 8).  Cats must have constant access to their sleeping area.
  • 9).  A litter tray and safe and absorbent litter material must be provided at all times in each cat unit and litter trays must be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
  • 10).  Each cat unit must include an elevated area.
  • 11).  Adjoining cat units must have solid barriers covering the full height and full width of the adjoining wall.
  • 12).  Any gaps between cat units must be a minimum of 0.6 metres wide.
  • 13).  Any cat taken out of a cat unit must be secured in a suitable carrier.
  • 14).  The sleeping area must form part of the cat unit and be free from draughts.

B3.Monitoring of behaviour and training of cats

1). There must be an area within each cat unit in which the cat can avoid seeing other cats and people outside the cat unit if it so chooses.

2).  Each cat unit must include a facility for scratching and any surface within a cat unit available for scratching must either be disinfected between uses by different cats or disposed of.

3).  All cats must be provided with toys or feeding enrichment (or both) unless advice from a veterinarian suggests otherwise.

4).  All toys and other enrichment items must be checked daily to ensure they remain safe and must be cleaned and disinfected at least weekly.

B4.Records

  • A register must be kept of all the cats on the premises which must include:
    • (a) the dates of each cat’s arrival and departure
    • (b) each cat’s name, age, sex, neuter status and a description of it or its breed
    • (c) each cat’s microchip number, where applicable
    • (d) the number of any cats from the same household
    • (e) a record of which cats (if any) are from the same household
    • (f) the name, postal address, telephone number (if any) and email address (if any) of the owner of each cat and emergency contact details
    • (g) in relation to each cat, the name, postal address, telephone number and email address of a local contact in an emergency
    • (h) the name and contact details of each cat’s normal veterinarian and details of any insurance relating to the cat
    • (i) details of each cat’s relevant medical and behavioural history, including details of any treatment administered against parasites and restrictions on exercise
    • (j) details of each cat’s diet and related requirements
    • (k) any required consent forms
    • (l) a record of the date or dates of each cat’s most recent vaccination, worming and flea treatments, and
    • (m) details of any medical treatment each cat is receiving

B5.Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease

1).  A cat must remain in its assigned cat unit, except when it is moved to an isolation cat unit or to a holding cat unit.

2).  Where any other activity involving animals is undertaken on the premises, it must be kept entirely separate from the area where the activity of providing boarding for cats takes place.

3).  All equipment must be cleaned and disinfected before a cat is first introduced into a cat unit.

4).  A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the veterinarian with whom the licence holder has registered under paragraph 9(8) of Schedule 2 must be implemented.

5).  A holding cat unit must only be used in an emergency and must not be used for longer than is necessary and in any event for no longer than a total of 12 hours in any 24-hour period

6).  In this paragraph, “holding cat unit” means a cat unit, separate from any other cat unit, in which a cat may be housed temporarily.

Specific conditions for providing boarding in kennels for dogs

B6.Interpretation

  • In this part:
    • exercise run means an enclosed area forming part of a kennel unit attached to and with direct access to the sleeping area
    • kennel unit means the physical structure and area that consists of a sleeping area and an exercise run
    • premises means the premises on which the licensable activity of providing boarding in kennels for dogs is carried on

B7.Suitable environment

  • 1). Dogs within the premises must be prevented from coming into contact with other animals from outside the premises.
  • 2). In each kennel unit, the sleeping area must: 
    • (a) be free from draughts
    • (b) provide the dog with sufficient space to:
      • (i) sit and stand at full height
      • (ii) lie down fully stretched-out
      • (iii) wag its tail
      • (iv) walk, and 
      • (v) turn around without touching another dog or the walls
      • (c) have a floor area which is at least twice the area required for the dog in it to lie flat; and
      • (d) if built after the date on which these Regulations come into force, have a floor area of at least 1.9 square metres
  • 3). Each kennel unit must be clearly numbered and there must be a system in place which ensures that information about the dog or dogs in each kennel unit is available to all staff and any inspector.
  • 4).  Each dog must have constant access to its sleeping area.
  • 5).  Each dog must have a clean, comfortable and warm area within its sleeping area where it can rest and sleep.
  • 6).  Each exercise run must have a single, safe, secure, waterproof roof over a minimum of half its total area.
  • 7).  Where a dog poses a health or welfare risk to other dogs, it must be kept on its own in a kennel unit and, if that kennel unit adjoins another kennel unit, any adjoining wall must be of full height and width so as to prevent the dog from coming into physical contact with any other dog.
  • 8).  Only dogs from the same household may share a kennel unit.

B8.Monitoring of behaviour and training

  • 1).  Any equipment that a dog is likely to be in contact with and any toy provided must not pose a risk of pain, suffering, disease or distress to the dog and must be correctly used.
  • 2).  All dogs must be provided with toys or feeding enrichment (or both) unless advice from a veterinarian suggests otherwise.
  • 3).  All toys and other enrichment items must be checked daily to ensure they remain safe and must be cleaned and disinfected at least weekly.
  • 4).  Each dog must be exercised at least once daily away from its kennel unit as appropriate for its age and health.
  • 5).  Any dog which, on the advice of a veterinarian, cannot be exercised must be provided with alternative forms of mental stimulation.
  • 6).  There must be an area within each kennel unit in which a dog can avoid seeing people and other dogs outside the kennel unit if it so chooses.

B9.Records

  • 1).  A register must be kept of all the dogs on the premises which must include:
    • (a) the dates of each dog’s arrival and departure
    • (b) each dog’s name, age, sex, neuter status, microchip number and a description of it or its breed
    • (c) the number of any dogs from the same household
    • (d) a record of which dogs (if any) are from the same household
    • (e) the name, postal address, telephone number (if any) and email address (if any) of the owner of each dog and emergency contact details
    • (f) in relation to each dog, the name, postal address, telephone number and email address of a local contact in an emergency
    • (g) the name and contact details of the dog’s normal veterinarian and details of any insurance relating to the dog
    • (h) details of each dog’s relevant medical and behavioural history, including details of any treatment administered against parasites and restrictions on exercise
    • (i) details of the dog’s diet and related requirements
    • (j) any required consent forms
    • (k) a record of the date or dates of each dog’s most recent vaccination, worming and flea treatments
    • (l) details of any medical treatment each dog is receiving
  • 2).  When outside the premises, each dog must wear an identity tag which includes the licence holder’s name and contact details.

B10. Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease

1).  Where any other activity involving animals is undertaken on the premises, it must be kept entirely separate from the area where the activity of providing boarding for dogs in kennels takes place.

2).  A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the veterinarian with whom the licence holder has registered under paragraph 9(8) of Schedule 2 must be implemented.

3).  A holding kennel unit must only be used in an emergency and must not be used for longer than is necessary and in any event for no longer than a total of 12 hours in any 24-hour period.

4).  In sub-paragraph (3), “holding kennel unit” means a kennel unit, separate from any other kennel unit, in which a dog may be housed temporarily.

Specific conditions for providing home boarding for dogs

B11. Interpretation

  • In this part:
    • designated room means a room within the home allocated to a dog
    • home means a domestic dwelling on which the licensable activity of providing home boarding for dogs is carried on

B12. Home

  • 1).  Dogs must be accommodated within the home.
  • 2).  The home must include:
    • (a) direct access to a private, non-communal, secure and hazard-free external area, and
    • (b) at least two secure physical barriers between any dog and any entrance to or exit from it

B13. Suitable environment

  • 1).  Dogs from different households may only be boarded at the same time with the written consent of every owner.
  • 2).  Each dog must be provided with its own designated room where it can, if necessary, be kept separate from other dogs.
  • 3).  Each dog must have a clean, comfortable and warm area within its designated room where it can rest and sleep.
  • 4).  Each designated room must have a secure window to the outside that can be opened and closed as necessary.
  • 5).  A dog must not be confined in a crate for longer than three hours in any 24-hour period.
  • 6).  A dog must not be kept in a crate unless: 
    • (a) it is already habituated to it
    • (b) a crate forms part of the normal routine for the dog, and 
    • (c) the dog’s owner has consented to the use of a crate
  • 7).  Any crate in which a dog is kept must be in good condition and sufficiently large for the dog to sit and stand in it at full height, lie flat and turn around.

B14. Suitable diet

Each dog must be fed separately in its designated room unless its owner has given written consent to the contrary.

B15. Monitoring of behaviour and training

  • 1).  Any equipment that a dog is likely to be in contact with and any toy provided must not pose a risk of pain, suffering, disease or distress to the dog and must be correctly used.
  • 2).  Each dog must be exercised at least once daily as appropriate for its age and health.
  • 3).  Dogs which on the advice of a veterinarian cannot be exercised must be provided with alternative forms of mental stimulation.

B16. Housing with or apart from other dogs

  • 1).  Written consent must be obtained from the owner or owners (as the case may be) to keep dogs together in a designated room.
  • 2).  Unneutered bitches must be prevented from mating.
  • 3).  If any person aged under 16 years resides at the home, there must be procedures in place to regulate the interactions between the dogs and that person.

B17. Records

  • 1).  A register must be kept of all the dogs accommodated in the home which must include:
    • (a) the dates of each dog’s arrival and departure
    • (b) each dog’s name, age, sex, neuter status, microchip number and a description of it or its breed
    • (c) the number of any dogs from the same household
    • (d) a record of which dogs (if any) are from the same household
    • (e) the name, postal address, telephone number (if any) and email address (if any) of the owner of each dog and emergency contact details
    • (f) in relation to each dog, the name, postal address, telephone number and email address of a local contact in an emergency
    • (g) the name and contact details of each dog’s normal veterinarian and details of any insurance relating to the dog
    • (h) details of each dog’s relevant medical and behavioural history, including details of any treatment administered against parasites and restrictions on exercise
    • (i) details of each dog’s diet and related requirements
    • (j) any required consent forms
    • (k) a record of the date or dates of each dog’s most recent vaccination, worming and flea treatments
    • (l) details of any medical treatment each dog is receiving

2).  When outside the premises, each dog must wear an identity tag which includes the licence holder’s name and contact details.

B18. Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease

1).  Before a dog is admitted for boarding, all equipment to be used by or in relation to that dog must be cleaned and disinfected.

2).  A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the veterinarian with whom the licence holder has registered under paragraph 9(8) of Schedule 2 must be implemented.

Specific conditions for providing day care for dogs

B19. Interpretation

  • In this Part, premises means the premises on which the licensable activity of providing day care for dogs is carried on.

B20. No overnight stay

  • No dog may be kept on the premises overnight.

B21. Suitable environment

  • 1).  Each dog must be provided with:
    • (a) a clean, comfortable and warm area where it can rest and sleep, and
    • (b) another secure area in which water is provided and in which there is shelter
  • 2).  Each dog must have access to areas where it can:
    • (a) interact safely with other dogs, toys and people, and
    • (b) urinate and defecate
  • 3).  There must be an area where any dog can avoid seeing other dogs and people if it so chooses.

B22. Suitable diet

  • Any dog that requires specific feed due to a medical condition must be fed in isolation.

B23. Monitoring of behaviour and training

1).  All dogs must be screened before being admitted to the premises to ensure that they are not afraid, anxious or stressed in the presence of other dogs or people and do not pose a danger to other dogs or staff.

2).  Any equipment used that is likely to be in contact with the dogs and any toys provided must not pose a risk of pain, suffering, disease or distress to the dog and must be correctly used.

B24. Housing apart from other dogs

1).  Unneutered bitches must be prevented from mating.

2).  Dogs which need to be isolated from other dogs must be provided with alternative forms of mental stimulation.

B25. Records

  • 1).  A register must be kept of all the dogs on the premises which must include:
    • (a) the date of the dog’s attendance
    • (b) the dog’s name, age, sex, neuter status, microchip number and a description of it or its breed
    • (c) the name, postal address, telephone number (if any) and email address (if any) of the owner and emergency contact details
    • (d) the name and contact details of the dog’s normal veterinarian and details of any insurance relating to the dog
    • (e) details of the dog’s relevant medical and behavioural history, including details of any treatment administered against parasites and any restrictions on exercise
    • (f) details of the dog’s diet and relevant requirements
    • (g) any required consent forms
    • (h) a record of the date or dates of the dog’s most recent vaccination, worming and flea treatments
    • (i) details of any medical treatment the dog is receiving

2).  When outside the premises, each dog must wear an identity tag which includes the licence holder’s name and contact details.

B26. Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease

  • 1).  The dogs must be supervised at all times.
  • 2).  A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the veterinarian with whom the licence holder has registered under paragraph 9(8) of Schedule 2 must be implemented.
  • 3).  Any journeys in a vehicle must be planned to minimise the time dogs spend in the vehicle.

Licensing

Address: Causeway House
Bocking End
Braintree
Essex
CM7 9HB

Telephone: 01376 552525

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