Dog or cat boarding and day care licence
Guidance and conditions
General conditions
General conditions apply in respect of:
- licence display
- records
- use, number and type of animal
- staffing
- suitable environment
- suitable diet
- monitoring of behaviour and training of animals
- animal handling and interactions
- protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
- emergencies
Other conditions
Specific, extra conditions apply to each boarding activity:
- suitability of the home (home boarding dogs only)
- suitable environment
- suitable diet (home boarding and dogs and day care for dogs only)
- monitoring of behaviour and training
- housing with or apart from other dogs (home boarding and dogs and day care for dogs only)
- records
- protection from pain, injury and suffering
Inspections
Before a licence is issued an inspection will be undertaken by an experienced council animal licensing officer. This may include a visit from a vet for a new licence holder.
Where a licence holder is expected to have written plans, procedures, or documented checks, officers will wish to see these as part of the inspection.
A licence with a score of 1 star can be issued to a previously licensed business if they have 'minor failings' which are predominantly administrative or if they are in relation to standards, they do not compromise the welfare of the animals. New applicants can only be licenced if they meet or exceed the minimum standards. Businesses meeting minimum standards will be graded 2 or 3 stars. Those meeting the higher standards, as laid down in the guidance, will score 4 or 5 stars.
Full conditions are available on the Gov.UK web site.