The keeping and running of animal boarding establishments (Catteries and Kennels) is controlled by the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.
 
No person may keep a boarding establishment for either dogs or cats without first obtaining a licence from their Local Authority.

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.

There is an application fee which must be paid at the time an application is made. Currently the fee is £90.00.

If your application is successful the licence will be granted with additional conditions which must be adhered to. The licence runs until the end of the calendar year in which it is granted, when you will need to apply to the Council to renew it for another twelve months.

Council Duties

Before being granted a licence the applicant must be able to demonstrate to the Council's Licensing Inspector: (click here for the licence conditions).

Your Right of Appeal

Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence or by any conditions attached to a licence may appeal to the Magistrates Court who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.
Offences and Penalties

The offences and penalties that apply to the keeping of animal boarding establishments are:

• 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

Copies of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 and other legislation mentioned in this information sheet can be purchased from The Stationery Office.

Alternatively, download a copy of the application form.