Boarding for cats and dogs
To run a business offering boarding for cats and/or dogs you will need a licence issued under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
Activities which require a licence include:
- providing boarding in kennels for dogs
- providing home boarding for dogs
- providing day care for dogs (commercial)
- providing boarding for cats
The cost and length of the licence is determined on meeting the criteria under the procedural guidance.
The definition of providing boarding for cats or dogs is:
Providing or arranging for the provision of accommodation for other people’s cats or dogs in the course of a business on any premises where the provision of that accommodation is a purpose of the business.
Make a licence application
Before you start
You will need:
- details of the applicant, agent (if applicable), business and the premises to be licensed
- details of any emergency key holder(s), insurance policy and veterinary surgery
- to have read the relevant statutory guidance (links available in the form)
- documents to be uploaded, these include:
- plan of the premises
- insurance policy
- standard operating procedures
- emergency response plan
- prevention and control of spread of disease procedure
- qualifications, knowledge and experience
- training records
- a credit or debit card to make your fee payment
If you require assistance with your application, please contact the Environmental Health team on 01622 602450 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Changes to an existing licence
If you are an existing business and need to report a change of circumstances, please contact the Environmental Health team by email to ehadmin@midkent.gov.uk or telephone 01622 602450. Please note, there is a variation charge for all changes.
Statutory guidance
The following statutory guidance applies to boarding for cats and dogs:
Further information
You can find out more about our fees and charges and the star rating scheme below.
Fees and Charges
Boarding in kennels for dogs / Boarding for cats / Day care for dogs / Home boarding for dogs
| Part A | Part B |
|---|---|
£410 plus veterinary fees based upon an hourly rate (including travel time) if necessary | 1 Star and 2 Star establishments: 3 Star and 4 Star establishments: 5 Star establishments: |
Part A covers the application and authorisation process. Part B is the cost for administering and enforcing the framework. Both fees must be paid in full (along with any veterinary fees) prior to the licence being issued.
Arranging provision of home dog boarding
| Part A | Part B |
|---|---|
Up to and including four host families: Five or more host families: | 1 Star and 2 Star establishments: 3 Star and 4 Star establishments: 5 Star establishments: |
Part A covers the application and authorisation process. Part B is the cost for administering and enforcing the framework. Both fees must be paid in full (along with any veterinary fees) prior to the licence being issued.
The star rating of a franchise is determined by the lowest star rating of each individual host family combined.
Other charges
Licence renewals
- charged at the same rate as new applications as above
Requests for variations
- administration amendment £40
- inspector visit (if required) £87 (additional to administration charge)
- vet fees will be recharged (if applicable) based upon an hourly rate plus travel time
Request for re-inspection (for all licence types)
- £152 plus vet fees (if applicable)
Pre-licence application advice and visit
- Charged at an hourly rate of £40 per hour.
Supplementary fee for additional licensable activity provided by a business at one site applied for at the same time
- £72 for each additional activity (this is in addition to the appropriate Part A fee and corresponding Part B fee as above)
Making a payment
Payments can be made online. Please note, fees are non-refundable.
Star rating scheme
Licences can be issued for a period of either one, two or three years depending on the risk rating and level of compliance. This also corresponds with the star rating for the establishment.
The procedural guidance describes the risk-based system that must be used when issuing licences under the Regulations (with the exception of 'Keeping or Training Animals for Exhibition' where all licences are issued for three years).
Use of this system determines both the length of the licence and the star rating that will be awarded. Local authorities in England are expected to follow it in full.
Welfare standards / risk scoring matrix
| Minor failings * | Minimum standards ** | Higher standards ** | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low risk |
1 Star 1-year licence Min 1 unannounced visit within a 12-month period |
3 Star 2-year licence Min 1 unannounced visit within a 24-month period |
5 Star 3-year licence Min 1 unannounced visit within a 36-month period |
| Higher risk |
1 Star 1-year licence Min 1 unannounced visit within a 12-month period |
2 Star 1-year licence Min 1 unannounced visit within a 12-month period |
4 Star 2-year licence Min 1 unannounced visit within a 24-month period |
* existing business that are failing to meet minimum standards
** as laid down in the schedule and guidance
The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has published Animal activities licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities to assist in assessing the regulations, which are available to be downloaded.