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 animals 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:
- The Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963
- The Pet Animals Act 1951
- The Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
- 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 £115.00
Where a licence is granted, that licence and any subsequent licence
will expire on the 31st December of the year to which the licence
relates and must be renewed before that date if the premises are to
continue as an animal boarding establishment.
Council Duties
Before being granted a licence the applicant must
be able to demonstrate to the Council's Environmental Health
Officer:
- 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.
Your 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
Copies of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act
1963 and other legislation mentioned in this information sheet can
be purchased from The Stationery Office.
Upon request we can e-mail a copy of your approved licence to
you.
For further information use the contact details below:
E-mail:
licensing@waveney.gov.uk
Telephone: 01502 523620
Fax: 01502 589327
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