Boarding for cats or dogs and dog day care licence
You need a licence to look after other people's dogs in your own home even if you only provide day care and no overnight boarding.
Dogs must not be boarded in:
- any room with a glass roof (including a conservatory)
- a bedroom in which the usual occupant is below the age of 16
- a garage (unless converted to a standard suitable for a human to live in)
- a cupboard
- a cellar (unless converted to a standard suitable for a human to live in)
- a loft (unless converted to a standard suitable for a human to live in)
- a balcony
- an outside building, structure or shed
This is to ensure the welfare of the animals and the safety of the public. If you are a dog walker or you care for dogs only in their normal place of residence you do not require a day care or home boarding licence. However, if you walk or care for dogs that enter your home premises even for a short period of time you will require a home boarding licence.
You need a licence to provide a doggy day-care service for operators of commercial premises which provide doggy day care not care for dogs in a domestic home environment (see above). This is to ensure the welfare of the animals and the safety of the public. A dog day care licence is for businesses that provide daytime care only, for dogs in commercial premises and no dogs are allowed to be kept on the premises overnight.
It is your responsibility to ensure you have a current licence. If you operate without a licence or fail to follow licensing conditions, you may face a fine and/imprisonment.
Licence summary
A local authority may authorise an officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner to inspect licensed premises.
Apply
Complete the Application for a licence to carry on the activity of providing home boarding for dogs (PDF)
To apply, vary or renew a licence, you must comply with the licence conditions and guidance.
For any other application for cat boarding, dog kennels or dog day care (not home boarding) please contact:
The Licensing Partnership
Council Offices
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1GP
Or complete a licensing enquiry form.
The Licensing Partnership will write to you at least three months before your licence expires, to remind you to renew it. You must apply for a renewal licence at least 10 weeks before the current licence expires if you wish to continue to operate without a break in trading.
Cat Boarding - written procedures and records
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
This highlights the written policies, procedures and records that are required to meet the minimum conditions.
With your completed application form you need to submit the following:
- all your written procedures (these are all listed further down the page)
- your client booking form or register (details of what your booking form/register needs to include can be found further down the page)
- consents from the owner (this could be part of your client booking form or a separate terms and conditions form (all the required consents can be found listed further down the page)
By submitting all the above will ensure you will meet the minimum conditions for a license to be granted.
4.3 The licence holder must provide and ensure the implementation of a written training policy for all staff
The staff training policy must be reviewed and updated each year. It must include:
- an annual appraisal
- planned and continued professional development
- recognition of knowledge gaps
5.5 Procedures must be in place to make sure housing and any equipment within it is cleaned as often as necessary and good hygiene standards are maintained
The housing must be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Units must be inspected each day and kept in a clean condition. This must be done in line with the documented cleaning and disinfection procedure.
If a pest problem is identified, a pest control programme must be put in place.
7.1 Active and effective environmental enrichment must be provided to the animals in inside and outside environments
The business must have a documented programme that shows how they provide an enriching environment to the cats.
9.1 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
10.1 A written emergency plan, acceptable to the local authority, must be in place, known and available to all the people on the premises used for the licensable activity.
It must be 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 for essential heating, ventilation and aeration or filtration systems or other emergencies.
An emergency drill programme must be in place with annual testing, or as required by fire risk assessments. All new members of staff must have this training as part of their induction programme.
There must be a plan for housing of the cats if the premises become uninhabitable.
There must be a written policy in place for dealing with extremes of temperature and weather conditions (hot and cold).
10.2 The plan must include details of the emergency measures to be taken for the extrication of the animals should the premises become uninhabitable. It must also include an emergency telephone list with fire service and police contact details
Note: Your emergency plan should be one to two sides of A4 and cover all the requirements stated above.
5.4 A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the vet with whom the licence holder has registered under paragraph 9(8) of Schedule 2 must be implemented
Note: The preventative health care plan template on page 6 can be signed by your registered veterinarian.
| Condition | Details of what to record |
|---|---|
| 4.3 | (Staff training policy) Staff participation can be shown by keeping records of the courses they are taking, written or online learning, keeping up to date with any research or developments for specific breeds or annual appraisal documents. Evidence of staff attendance or completion of the training must be provided. |
| 6.2 | Feed and (where appropriate) water intake must be monitored, and any problems recorded and addressed. |
| 7.3 | The animals’ behaviour and any changes of behaviour must be monitored. |
| The behaviour of each cat must be monitored each day. Changes in behaviour must be recorded and acted upon if there are signs of suffering, stress, fear, aggression or anxiety | |
| 9.4 | All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent and control the spread among the animals and people of infectious diseases, pathogens and parasites. The business owner must see an up-to-date veterinary vaccination record for all cats. The cats must have current vaccinations against feline panleukopenia, feline parvovirus, also known as feline infectious enteritis, feline respiratory viruses (feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus) |
| 9.6 | Sick or injured animals must receive prompt attention from a vet. When a trained first aider suspects a cat is ill or injured, contact a vet for advice immediately. The business must record any instructions for treatment and seek further advice if there’s ongoing concern. |
| 9.12 | The licence holder must keep a record of all euthanasia the qualified vet that carried it out |
| 9.14 | Any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour must be recorded and the advice and further advice (if necessary) of a vet must be sought and followed. Inspectors must be able to access any record and associated checklists. Presence or absence of faeces and urine must be monitored each day. Any abnormalities must be recorded and acted upon as needed. Cats staying long-term (over 3 weeks) must be checked for weight-loss or gain. If there are any concerns, advice must be sought from a vet. |
| 4.1 | A register must be kept of all the cats on the premises which must include the information below contained in your client booking form (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 and email address 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 vet 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 (see table below) (l) a record of the date or dates of each cat’s most recent vaccination, worming and flea treatments (m) details of any medical treatment each cat is receiving |
4.1 k) Client Consent
Consent forms must cover:
- veterinary treatment
- consent to share or separate cats if needed
- consent for toys or interaction preferences
- record of baskets or items left at the cattery
| Condition Number | Details of consent |
|---|---|
| 6.1 | Dietary requirements that are agreed with the owner must be followed. If there are concerns about an individual cat’s diet, veterinary advice must be sought. |
| 8.2 | If cats from the same household share a unit, the owner must have given written consent. |
| 8.2 | Consent from the owner must include authority to separate cats, if there are any problems. |
| 9.4 | If there is evidence of external parasites, such as fleas, ticks or lice, the cat must be treated with a product authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). The product must be licensed for use in the UK. Treatment must only happen after either having a consultation with a vet, using the product as directed or getting written consent from the owner or nominated person to treat the cat |
| 9.7 | Any preventative treatment must be given with the written consent of the owner and under the direction of the vet. |
| 9.8 | When cats are boarding, the licence holder must get written consent from the cat’s owner to state which vet will be used. |
| 9.12 | Euthanasia must not take place until the owner or nominated person gives consent - unless it is crucial for the welfare of the cat. |
| 2.8 | A cat must not be left without bedding, unless instructed otherwise by the cat’s owner. |
Veterinary (which we need to see evidence of during the inspection)
Note: The preventative health care plan template can be used to cover all 3 of the conditions below
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| 9.3 | Appropriate isolation, in separate self-contained facilities, must be available for the care of sick, injured or potentially infectious animals. The business must have a facility to isolate any cat that is injured, sick or infectious or carrying a serious infectious disease. If the isolation facility is at another location, such as a local veterinary practice, the licence holder must be able to show evidence that it’s ready to use (for example, a letter from the practice). |
| 9.8 | The licence holder must register with a vet 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 vet must be readily available to all staff on the premises used for the licensable activity. The vet’s details must be displayed where they can be easily seen by all staff members. This must the include name, address, telephone number and out of hours telephone number. The veterinary practice must be within a reasonable travel distance. |
| 5.4 | A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the vet with whom the license holder has registered with |
Preventative Health Care Template
[Operators logo]
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
Preventative Healthcare Plan for Business providing the following boarding activities
- Boarding Kennels for dogs
- Catteries
- Home Boarding of Dogs
- Day care for dogs
Dear [VETS PRACTICE NAME]
As a licensed and insured provider of dog and / or cat boarding (delete as necessary) under the above legislation we are required to operate as per the required licence conditions. One of the licence conditions is to provide a Preventative Healthcare Plan in accordance with our business.
Please could I ask by signing this letter that you agree that you are my businesses’ nominated veterinary practice with which I am registered and confirm that you are able to treat and / or isolate any animals as required that are in my care as part of my boarding business.
In the event of the death of an animal, I would ask your practice to cold store the body upon the owners return.
In the event of an infectious disease of a dog, I would ask your practice to provide an isolation area until such disease is brought under control and/or upon the return of their owners.
In any of the above events, the owners will have already been contacted and have signed my vet release form, giving me permission to seek care for their animal at my nominated veterinary practice. I would supply their owners’ written consent form, their own vet’s details and an up to date copy of their animals vaccination records.
I confirm that all animals boarded as part of my business are fully vaccinated and have been treated for parasites in accordance with veterinary recommendations and I operate as per the procedures and conditions set out in the regulations.
If you agree to this please could you sign this letter and return to me via email or post, or alternatively I can collect the letter at a convenient time for yourself.
My email is [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]
My address is [YOUR ADDRESS]
My mobile number is [YOUR MOBILE NUMBER]
Kind regards
[YOUR NAME]
I ________________________________ of [VETS PRACTICE NAME] Date______________________
Dog Boarding Kennels - written procedures and records
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
Boarding in Kennels for Dogs: Required Procedures and Records to be kept
This highlights the written policies, procedures and records that are required to meet the minimum conditions.
With your completed application form you need to submit the following:
- all your written procedures (these are all listed further down the page)
- your client booking form or register (details of what your booking form/register needs to include can be found further down the page)
- consents from the owner (this could be part of your client booking form or a separate terms and conditions form (all the required consents can be found listed further down the page)
By submitting all the above will ensure you will meet the minimum conditions for a license to be granted.
List of required written procedures for Boarding in Kennels for Dogs
4.3 The licence holder must provide and ensure the implementation of a written training policy for all staff.
5.5 Procedures must be in place to make sure housing and any equipment within it is cleaned as often as necessary and good hygiene standards are maintained.
The housing must be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Kennel units must be inspected daily and kept in a clean condition, in accordance with the cleaning and disinfection procedure produced by the facility.
Kennels must be disinfected at least once a week and at occupancy change.
Faeces must be removed from all areas as often as necessary and in any case a minimum of twice a day. Where a pest problem is identified, a control programme must be implemented.
7.1 Active and effective environmental enrichment must be provided to the animals in inside and any outside environments.
A documented programme must be available and agreed with the owner, setting out enrichment both inside and outside. This includes grooming, socialisation and play.
7.5 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
(b) become habituated to noises, objects and activities in their environment
Documented processes must be in place to accommodate the needs of dogs under one year of age.
8.1 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.
A policy must be in place for dealing with difficult dogs.
9.1 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 dead animals)
(b) be in place covering the care of the animals following the suspension or revocation of the licence or during and following an emergency.
10.1 A written emergency plan, acceptable to the local authority, must be in place, known and available to all the people on the premises used for the licensable activity, 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 for essential heating, ventilation and aeration or filtration systems or other emergencies.
An emergency drill programme must be in place with annual testing, or as determined by fire risk assessments. All new members of staff must have this as part of their induction programme.
There must be a plan for housing of the dogs should the premises become uninhabitable.
There must be a documented policy in place for dealing with emergencies, including extremes of temperature and weather conditions (both hot and cold).
10.2 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.
Note: Your emergency plan should be one to two sides of A4 and cover all the requirements stated above.
10.2 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.
Note: The preventative health care plan template on page 6 can be signed by your registered veterinarian.
| Condition | Details of what to record |
|---|---|
| 4.3 | Staff training records (records of courses, written or online learning, keeping up to date with any research or developments and annual appraisals) |
| 6.2 | Feed and (where appropriate) water intake must be monitored, and any problems recorded and addressed. Dogs must be monitored if they remain inappetent (without appetite) for longer than 24 hours. If there are concerns, staff must seek veterinary advice. Water intake must be checked and staff must seek veterinary advice if the dog is not drinking or is drinking excessively. The general condition of all long-stay dogs must be monitored and dogs displaying significant weight loss or gain must be evaluated by a vet and treated as necessary. |
| 7.3 | The animals’ behaviour and any changes of behaviour must be monitored. Advice must be sought, as appropriate and without delay, from a vet or, in the case of fish, any person competent to give such advice if adverse or abnormal behaviour is detected. The behaviour of each dog must be monitored daily. Changes in behaviours must be recorded and acted upon if there are signs of suffering, stress, fear or aggression. All staff must be able to identify dogs that are anxious or fearful about contact. Records of assessment must be kept. |
| 9.4 | An up-to-date veterinary vaccination record must be seen to show that dogs, including resident dogs, have current vaccinations against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus), leptospirosis, other relevant diseases |
| 9.14 | Any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour must be recorded and the advice and further advice (if necessary) of a vet (or in the case of fish, of an appropriately competent person) must be sought and followed. Records and any associated checklists must be made available to inspectors. Presence or absence of faeces and urine must be monitored daily. Any abnormalities must be recorded and acted upon as appropriate. |
| 9.1 | A register must be kept of all the dogs at the premises which must include: Note: all of the information below must be contained in your client booking form (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 and email address of the owner of each dog and emergency contact details (f) the name, postal address, telephone number and email address of a local contact in an emergency for each dog (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) consent forms (the consents are below- you could add these to your client booking form or a separate terms and conditions 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. |
9.1 j) Client Consent
| Condition Number | Details of consent |
|---|---|
| 6.1 | The diet must be agreed with the dog’s owner. Dogs must be fed separately from other dogs, unless the owner has agreed dogs from the same household can share a unit. |
| 7.1 | A facility must create a written programme that shows how they provide an enriching environment inside and outside. This must be agreed with the owner. |
| 7.2 | Outdoor areas must not be used by more than one dog at any one time, unless they are from the same household or prior written consent has been obtained from the owners. The owner’s consent is needed for a dog to walk with other dogs. |
| 8.2 | Only dogs from the same household can share a kennel unit and they must be monitored. The owner must give written authorisation to do this and consent must also include the authority to separate the dogs if there are problems. |
| 9.4 | If there is evidence of external parasites such as fleas, ticks or lice, the dog must be treated with an appropriate product authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and licensed for use in the UK. Treatment must be discussed with a vet before giving it to the dog. The owner must consent to this. |
| 9.7 | Any preventive treatment must be administered with written consent from the owner and under the direction of a veterinarian. |
| 9.8 | The licence holder will decide which vet they will use. They must get written consent from the dog’s owner before taking the dog to the vet. |
| 9.1 | All medications must only be used with prior consent of the owner and in discussion with a vet. |
| 9.12 | The licence holder must keep a record of all euthanasia and the identity of the qualified vet that carried it out. The owner or designated main point of contact must be contacted to give consent. Unless imperative for the welfare of the dog, euthanasia must not take place until consent is given |
| 7.8 | Only dogs from the same household may share a kennel unit. Written authorisation from the owner is required. |
Veterinary (which we need to see evidence of during the inspection)
| Condition Number | Details of consent |
|---|---|
| 9.3 | Appropriate isolation, in separate self-contained facilities, must be available for the care of sick, injured or potentially infectious animals. If the isolation facility is at another location, such as a local veterinary practice, the licence holder must be able to show evidence that this is ready to use (e.g. A letter/email from the practice). |
| 9.8 | The licence holder must register with a vet that has an appropriate level of experience in the health and welfare requirements of any animals specified in the licence. The contact details of that vet must be readily available to all staff on the premises used for the licensable activity. |
Preventative Health Care Template
[Operators logo]
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
Preventative Healthcare Plan for Business providing the following boarding activities
- Boarding Kennels for dogs
- Catteries
- Home Boarding of Dogs
- Day care for dogs
Dear [VETS PRACTICE NAME]
As a licensed and insured provider of dog and/or cat boarding (delete as necessary) under the above legislation we are required to operate as per the required licence conditions. One of the licence conditions is to provide a Preventative Healthcare Plan in accordance with our business.
Please could I ask by signing this letter that you agree that you are my businesses’ nominated veterinary practice with which I am registered and confirm that you are able to treat and/or isolate any animals as required that are in my care as part of my boarding business.
In the event of the death of an animal, I would ask your practice to cold store the body upon the owners return.
In the event of an infectious disease of a dog, I would ask your practice to provide an isolation area until such disease is brought under control and/or upon the return of their owners.
In any of the above events, the owners will have already been contacted and have signed my vet release form, giving me permission to seek care for their animal at my nominated veterinary practice. I would supply their owners’ written consent form, their own vet’s details and an up to date copy of their animals vaccination records.
I confirm that all animals boarded as part of my business are fully vaccinated and have been treated for parasites in accordance with veterinary recommendations and I operate as per the procedures and conditions set out in the regulations.
If you agree to this please could you sign this letter and return to me via email or post, or alternatively I can collect the letter at a convenient time for yourself.
My email is [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]
My address is [YOUR ADDRESS]
My mobile number is [YOUR MOBILE NUMBER]
Kind regards
[YOUR NAME]
I ________________________________ of [VETS PRACTICE NAME] Date______________________
Home Boarding for Dogs - written procedures and records
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
Home boarding for dogs: Required procedures and records to be kept
This highlights the written policies, procedures and records that are required to meet the minimum conditions.
With your completed application form you need to submit the following:
- all your written procedures (these are all listed further down the page)
- your client booking form or register (details of what your booking form/register needs to include can be found further down the page)
- consents from the owner (this could be part of your client booking form or a separate terms and conditions form (all the required consents can be found listed further down the page)
By submitting all the above will ensure you will meet the minimum conditions for a license to be granted.
List of required written procedures for Home Boarding
4.3) Written training policy for all staff (must include annual appraisal, Continuous Professional Development, recognition of knowledge gaps)
Note: Even if you have no staff you are still required to keep a log of your Continuous Professional Development
5.5 Procedures must be in place to make sure housing and any equipment is cleaned as often as necessary and good hygiene standards are maintained. The housing must be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Designated rooms must be inspected at least once a day and kept clean, in accordance with the documented cleaning and disinfection procedure. Dogs must be moved from the area while it is being cleaned. Faeces must be removed from all areas at least twice a day, but as often as necessary. Where a pest problem is identified, a control programme must be implemented.
7.1) A facility must create a written programme that shows how they provide an enriching environment inside and outside.
The programme will show how the facility will provide grooming/socialisation/play
7.5) Written procedures in place for dogs that under one year of age.
8.2) Policy must be in place to monitor new dogs coming into the home environment.
Note: This would be a trial familiarisation session for new dogs and could be recorded on the booking form.
8.2) It is not recommended that cats are kept on the premises. If there are resident cats, the license holder must identify where the cats could experience stress and show how they plan to reduce the chance of stress to protect the cat’s welfare.
9.1) 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/escape of an animal (including the storage of dead animals)
b) Be in place covering the care of the animals following the suspension or revocation of the licence or during and following an emergency
10.1) A written emergency plan (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 for essential heating, ventilation and aeration or filtration systems or other emergencies).
There must be a plan to house the dogs should the premises become uninhabitable.
There must be a written policy in place for dealing with emergencies, including extremes of hot and cold temperatures and abnormal weather conditions.
10.2) 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. Note: Your emergency plan should be one to two sides of A4 and cover all the requirements stated above.
16.3) If any person under 16 years resides at the home, there must be procedures in place to regulate the interactions between dogs and that person.
If children live on the premises, there must be a procedure in place to safeguard them and the dogs.
18.2) Preventative healthcare plan agreed with the veterinarian with whom the licence holder has registered Note: The preventative health care plan template can be signed by your registered veterinarian.
| Condition | Details of what to record |
|---|---|
| 4.3 | Staff training records (records of courses, written or online learning, keeping up to date with any research or developments and annual appraisals) |
| 6.2 | Feed and (where appropriate water intake) must be monitored, any problems to be recorded and addressed. The general condition of all long stay dogs for weight gain/loss. |
| 7.3 and 9.14 | The animal’s behaviour and any changes of behaviour must be monitored. Changes of behaviour must be recorded, and the owner must be told if there are signs of suffering, stress, fear, aggression or Anxiety. Any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour must be recorded Presence or absence of faeces and urine must be monitored daily. Anything unusual must be recorded and acted upon. |
| 9.4 | An up-to-date veterinary vaccination record must be seen to show that dogs, including resident dogs, have current vaccinations against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus), leptospirosis or other relevant diseases. Note: you are required to keep a record of the vaccination status of all dogs on your premises at all times. You could keep copy of the vaccination cards or record the expiry date of the vaccination for each dog on a spreadsheet or calendar. |
| 13.1 | Documented trial session for dogs to familiarise with each other before they home board. This includes familiarisation with resident dogs at the property. |
| 17.1 | A register must be kept of all the dogs on the premises which must include: Note: all the information below must be contained in your client booking form a) Arrival and departure dates b) Name of dog and its age, sex, neuter status, microchip number and a description of it or its breed c) Number of dogs from same household d) Details of dogs from same household (name of dog and its age, sex, neuter status, microchip number and a description of it or its breed) e) The owner’s name, postal address, telephone number, email address and emergency contact details f) In an event of an emergency, a local contact’s name, postal address, telephone number and email address g) The name and contact details of the dog’s normal veterinarian and details of any insurance relating to the dog h) Details of the 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) Consent forms (see table below) k) Record of the date or dates of each dog’s most recent vaccination, worming and flea treatments l) Details of any medical treatment the dog is receiving |
17.1 j) Client Consent
| Condition | Details of consent |
|---|---|
| 6.1/14.1 | Dogs must be separated at feeding time unless the owner has allowed this by consent. Each dog must be fed separately in its designated room unless its owner has given written consent to the contrary. |
| 7.1 | A facility must create a written programme that shows how they provide an enriching environment inside and outside. This must be agreed with the owner. |
| 7.2 | Outdoor areas must not be used by more than one dog at any one time, unless they are from the same household, or the owner has allowed this by written consent. |
| 9.4 | If there is evidence of external parasites such as fleas, ticks or lice, the dog must be treated with an appropriate product authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and licensed for use in the UK. Treatment must be discussed with a vet before giving it to the dog. The owner must consent to this. |
| 9.8 | The dog owner and licence holder must agree which vet will be used. This decision must be recorded. |
| 9.10 | Medicine must only be used with the owner’s consent and/or following a discussion with a vet. |
| 9.12 | The licence holder must keep a record of all euthanasia and the identity of the qualified veterinarian that carried it out. The owner or designated main point of contact must be contacted to give consent. Unless imperative for the welfare of the dog, euthanasia must not take place until consent is given. |
| 13.1 | Dogs from different households may only be boarded at the same time with the written consent of every owner. |
| 13.2 | Dogs from the same household can be kept together with written consent from the owner. |
| 13.6 | 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 c) The dog’s owner has consented to the use of a crate |
| 15.2 | Each dog must be exercised at least once daily as appropriate for its age and health. The owner’s written consent must be obtained to walk a dog outside the home environment or garden, let a dog off the lead, or walk a dog with others other than those from its household. |
Veterinary (which we need to see evidence of during the inspection)
Note: The preventative health care plan template can be used to cover all 3 of the conditions below
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| 9.3 | Appropriate isolation, in separate self-contained facilities, must be available for the care of sick, injured or potentially infectious animals. If the isolation facility is at another location, such as a local veterinary practice, the licence holder must be able to show evidence that this is ready to use (e.g. A letter/email from the practice). |
| 9.8 | The license holder must register with a vet. |
| 18.2 | A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the vet with whom the license holder has registered with. |
Preventative Health Care Template
[Operators logo]
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
Preventative Healthcare Plan for Business providing the following boarding activities
- Boarding Kennels for dogs
- Catteries
- Home Boarding of Dogs
- Day care for dogs
Dear [VETS PRACTICE NAME]
As a licensed and insured provider of dog and / or cat boarding (delete as necessary) under the above legislation we are required to operate as per the required licence conditions. One of the licence conditions is to provide a Preventative Healthcare Plan in accordance with our business.
Please could I ask by signing this letter that you agree that you are my businesses’ nominated veterinary practice with which I am registered and confirm that you are able to treat and / or isolate any animals as required that are in my care as part of my boarding business.
In the event of the death of an animal, I would ask your practice to cold store the body upon the owners return.
In the event of an infectious disease of a dog, I would ask your practice to provide an isolation area until such disease is brought under control and/or upon the return of their owners.
In any of the above events, the owners will have already been contacted and have signed my vet release form, giving me permission to seek care for their animal at my nominated veterinary practice. I would supply their owners’ written consent form, their own vet’s details and an up to date copy of their animals vaccination records.
I confirm that all animals boarded as part of my business are fully vaccinated and have been treated for parasites in accordance with veterinary recommendations and I operate as per the procedures and conditions set out in the regulations.
If you agree to this please could you sign this letter and return to me via email or post, or alternatively I can collect the letter at a convenient time for yourself.
My email is [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]
My address is [YOUR ADDRESS]
My mobile number is [YOUR MOBILE NUMBER]
Kind regards
[YOUR NAME]
I ________________________________ of [VETS PRACTICE NAME] Date______________________
Day Care for Dogs - written procedures and records
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
Day Care for Dogs: Required procedures and records to be kept
This highlights the written policies, procedures and records that are required to meet the minimum conditions.
With your completed application form you need to submit the following:
- all your written procedures (these are all listed further down the page)
- your client booking form or register (details of what your booking form/register needs to include can be found further down the page)
- consents from the owner (this could be part of your client booking form or a separate terms and conditions form (all the required consents can be found listed further down the page)
By submitting all the above will ensure you will meet the minimum conditions for a license to be granted.
List of required written procedures for providing Day Care for Dogs
4.3) Written training policy for all staff (must include annual appraisal, Continuous Professional Development, recognition of knowledge gaps).
5.5 Procedures must be in place to make sure housing and any equipment is cleaned as often as necessary and good hygiene standards are maintained. The housing must be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
All furnishings must be inspected daily and kept in a clean condition, in accordance with the facility’s documented cleaning and disinfection procedure. Faeces must be removed from all areas as often as necessary and at least twice a day. Dogs must be moved from the area while it’s being cleaned. Where there is a pest problem, a pest control programme must be put into place.
7.1 Active and effective environmental enrichment must be provided to the animals in inside and any outside environments.
A facility must create a written programme that shows how they provide an enriching environment.
7.5 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.
There must be written procedures in place for dogs that are under one year of age. They must be housed separately from older dogs unless the owner has given written consent for them to mix with other dogs.
8.2 The animals must be kept separately or in suitable compatible social groups appropriate to the species and individual animals. No animals from a social species may be isolated or separated from others of their species for any longer than is necessary.
A written policy must be followed to monitor a new dog added to a group. This is to avoid stress to new or existing animals.
Note: This would be a trial familiarisation session for new dogs and could be recorded on the booking form.
9.1 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 dead animals)
(b) be in place covering the care of the animals following the suspension or revocation of the licence or during and following an emergency.
10.1 A written emergency plan, acceptable to the local authority, must be in place, known and available to all the people on the premises used for the licensable activity, 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 for essential heating, ventilation and aeration or filtration systems or other emergencies.
There must be a written policy in place for dealing with emergencies, including extremes of hot and cold temperatures and abnormal weather conditions. An emergency drill programme must be in place with annual testing, or as determined by fire risk assessments. All new members of staff must have an emergency drill as part of their induction programme.
There must be a plan to house the dogs should the premises become uninhabitable.
10.2 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.
Note: Your emergency plan should be one to two sides of A4 and cover all the requirements stated above.
26.2 A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the veterinarian with whom the licence holder has registered with must be implemented.
Note: The preventative health care plan template on page 5 can be signed by your registered veterinarian.
| Condition | Details of what to record |
|---|---|
| 4.3 | Staff training records (records of courses, written or online learning, keeping up to date with any research or developments and annual appraisals). |
| 6.2 | Feed and (where appropriate) water intake must be monitored, and any problems recorded and addressed. The amount of water a dog drinks must be checked. The owner must be told if the dog is drinking too much or not enough. |
| 7.3 | The animals’ behaviour and any changes of behaviour must be monitored. Changes of behaviour must be recorded and the owner must be told if there are signs of suffering, stress, fear, agression or anxiety. |
| 9.4 | An up-to-date veterinary vaccination record must be seen to show that dogs, including resident dogs, have current vaccinations against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus), leptospirosis or other relevant diseases. Note: you are required to keep a record of the vaccination status of all dogs on your premises at all times. You could keep copy of the vaccination cards or record the expiry date of the vaccination for each dog on a spreadsheet. |
| 9.14 | Any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour must be recorded and the advice and further advice (if necessary) of a veterinarian must be sought and followed. Presence or absence of faeces and urine must be monitored daily. Anything unusual must be recorded and acted upon. |
| 23.1 | 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. You must keep a record of each screening you do. |
| 25.1 | A register must be kept of all the dogs on the premises which must include: Note: all the information below must be contained in your client booking form a) Arrival and departure dates b) Name of dog and its age, sex, neuter status, microchip number and a description of it or its breed c) The owner’s name, postal address, telephone number, email address and emergency contact details d) In an event of an emergency, a local contact’s name, postal address, telephone number and email address e) The name and contact details of the dog’s normal veterinarian and details of any insurance relating to the dog f) Details of the dog’s relevant medical and behavioural history, including details of any treatment administered against parasites and restrictions on exercise g) Details of the dog’s diet and related requirements h) Consent forms (see table below) i) Record of the date or dates of each dog’s most recent vaccination, worming and flea treatments j) Details of any medical treatment the dog is receiving |
17.1 j) Client Consent
| Condition number | Details of consent |
|---|---|
| 5.2 | A dog must not be in a crate for longer than one hour in any 8-hour period. They must only be crated if it forms part of the dog’s normal routine. The dog’s owner must have consented to the use of the crate. |
| 6.1 | If a dog needs to be fed during the day, they must be fed according to its individual needs. Any dietary requirements must be discussed and agreed with the owner. Dogs must be separated for feeding unless the owner has given written consent allowing them to eat with others. |
| 7.1 | A facility must create a written programme that shows how they provide an enriching environment. This must be agreed with the owner. |
| 7.2 | The owner must consent to their dog being walked with others. |
| 7.5 | There must be written procedures in place for dogs that are under one year of age. They must be housed separately from older dogs unless the owner has given consent for them to mix with other dogs. |
| 9.4 | If there is evidence of external parasites such as fleas, ticks or lice, the dog must be treated with an appropriate product authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and licensed for use in the UK. Treatment must be discussed with a vet before giving it to the dog. The owner must consent to this. |
| 9.7 | Where necessary, animals must receive preventative treatment by an appropriately competent person. Any treatment must have consent of the owner and direction from a vet |
| 9.8 | The dog owner and licence holder must agree which vet will be used. This decision must be recorded. |
| 9.10 | Medicine must only be used with the owner’s consent and following a discussion with a vet |
| 9.12 | The licence holder must keep a record of all euthanasia and the identity of the qualified veterinarian that carried it out. The owner or designated main point of contact must be contacted to give consent. Unless imperative for the welfare of the dog, euthanasia must not take place until consent is given. |
| 22.1 | Dogs must be fed to meet the individual dog’s needs and with the owner’s written consent. |
Veterinary (which we need to see evidence of during the inspection)
Note: The preventative health care plan template can be used to cover all 3 of the conditions below
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| 9.3 | Appropriate isolation, in separate self-contained facilities, must be available for the care of sick, injured or potentially infectious animals. If the isolation facility is at another location, such as a local veterinary practice, the licence holder must be able to show evidence that this is ready to use (e.g. A letter/email from the practice). |
| 9.8 | The license holder must register with a vet. |
| 26.2 | A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the vet with whom the license holder has registered with. |
Preventative Health Care Template
[Operators logo]
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
Preventative Healthcare Plan for Business providing the following boarding activities
- Boarding Kennels for dogs
- Catteries
- Home Boarding of Dogs
- Day care for dogs
Dear [VETS PRACTICE NAME]
As a licensed and insured provider of dog and/or cat boarding (delete as necessary) under the above legislation we are required to operate as per the required licence conditions. One of the licence conditions is to provide a Preventative Healthcare Plan in accordance with our business.
Please could I ask by signing this letter that you agree that you are my businesses’ nominated veterinary practice with which I am registered and confirm that you are able to treat and/or isolate any animals as required that are in my care as part of my boarding business.
In the event of the death of an animal, I would ask your practice to cold store the body upon the owners return.
In the event of an infectious disease of a dog, I would ask your practice to provide an isolation area until such disease is brought under control and/or upon the return of their owners.
In any of the above events, the owners will have already been contacted and have signed my vet release form, giving me permission to seek care for their animal at my nominated veterinary practice. I would supply their owners’ written consent form, their own vet’s details and an up to date copy of their animals vaccination records.
I confirm that all animals boarded as part of my business are fully vaccinated and have been treated for parasites in accordance with veterinary recommendations and I operate as per the procedures and conditions set out in the regulations.
If you agree to this please could you sign this letter and return to me via email or post, or alternatively I can collect the letter at a convenient time for yourself.
My email is [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]
My address is [YOUR ADDRESS]
My mobile number is [YOUR MOBILE NUMBER]
Kind regards
[YOUR NAME]
I ________________________________ of [VETS PRACTICE NAME] Date______________________
Fees and charges
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
Animal boarding (commercial kennel/cattery):
- new licence application (mixed species) £948
- new licence application (single species) £885
- renewal of licence (mixed species) £765
- renewal of licence (single species) £703
- mid-term licence visit (recharged to licence holder) £298*
- re-assessment of star rating £450
- complaint visit (recharged to licence holder) £298
- duplicate licence £35
- minor variation (minor changes to licence not requiring a site visit) £222
- major variation (more substantial changes to licence requiring a site visit) £520
- general admin charge - for work on applications which cannot be resolved/made valid (to be deducted from any refund of application fee - where this exceeds the application fee then no refund shall be given) £54
* to be charged with new and renewal application fee upfront
Homeboarding Non-commercial home boarder/pet sitters (this includes crèche facilities and franchises):
- new licence application £761
- renewal of licence £578
- mid-term licence visit (recharged to licence holder) £298*
- re-assessment of star rating £450
- complaint visit (recharged to licence holder) £298
- duplicate licence £35
- minor variation (minor changes to licence not requiring a site visit) £222
- major variation (more substantial changes to licence requiring a site visit £520
- addition of each host onto franchisee licence £409
- general admin charge - for work on applications which cannot be resolved/made valid (to be deducted from any refund of application fee - where this exceeds the application fee then no refund shall be given) £54
* to be charged with new and renewal application fee upfront
Eligibility criteria
You need to be eligible to apply for a licence, you will find information on persons who may not apply in the regulation summary below.
Regulation summary
The regulation relating to animal activities requiring a licence.
Application evaluation process
Fees will be payable for applications and conditions will be attached.
The licence runs for one to three years from the date of issue.
You will receive a one to five-star rating on your licence, with a five-star rating the highest possible. The rating will be an accurate reflection of the level of risk of your business and the animal welfare standards you adopt.
Once we grant a licence, there are separate procedures for varying, suspending or revoking it as well as requesting a review of your star rating.
Will tacit consent apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact the Licensing Partnership.