Animal boarding establishment licence

To run a boarding kennel or cattery for cats and dogs, you need a licence from us.

This includes private properties providing home boarding.

The Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 regulates this licence.

You may need to get planning permission. Contact Planning using the details on this page.

How to apply for a licence

You can apply online using the GOV.UK website.

Apply online – apply for an animal boarding establishment licence

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Cost

£140 per year.

Inspections and assessment

Before we issue the licence, we will inspect your premises. We may carry out further inspections during the year to check you are meeting the conditions of the licence.

What happens next?

• We aim to respond to your application within three working days
• We aim to decide your application within 28 days
• Don't assume the licence has been granted if you haven't heard from us for a month. Check with us first.

How to appeal

If we refused your application, contact us to see if we can sort out the problem.

You can appeal to the local magistrates' court.

You can also appeal to the local magistrates' court against a condition attached to the licence.

How to renew

Licences run from 1 January until 31 December. You must renew your licence by 31 December each year.

Apply online – renew an animal boarding establishment licence

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How to tell us of changes

You must tell us of any changes to your circumstances.

Apply online – change an animal boarding establishment licence

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Customer Complaints

If you have a complaint against a trader, we advise you contact them by letter (with proof of delivery).

If that fails and you are in the UK, the Citizens Advice Bureau will give you advice. For outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

If you have concerns about an animal boarding establishment, contact the Pollution Team using the details on this page.

Register

We do not hold a register of animal boarding establishments.