Animal Boarding Establishment Licences

Licence summary

To run a boarding kennel or cattery, you need a licence from the local authority. The number of dogs and cats that may be accommodated will be specified on the licence along with other specific conditions.

A local authority may authorise an officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner to inspect licensed premises.

Eligibility Criteria

An applicant must not be disqualified from any of the following at the time of the application:

• keeping an animal boarding establishment;
• keeping a pet shop under the Pet Animals Act 1951;
• keeping animals under the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954;

• owning, keeping, being involved in the keeping or being entitled to control or influence the keeping of animals, dealing in animals or transporting or being involved in the transportation of animals under the Animals Welfare Act 2006

Regulation Summary

A summary of the regulation relating to this licence are available here.  You can also visit the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs for further information on Protecting Pets by clicking here.

Application Evaluation Process

A fee will be payable for new, renewal variations and duplicate applications.  The fees list contains the current fee payable for each application type.  Conditions may be attached if the licence is granted to ensure the welfare of the animals.

The following criteria will be considered when the application is being evaluated:

• That the animals will be kept in suitable accommodation at all times. Suitable accommodation takes into account the construction and size of the accommodation, the number of animals to be housed in it, facilities for exercising the animals, cleanliness and temperature, lighting and ventilation provisions;
• That suitable food, drink and bedding materials will be provided and that the animals are exercised and visited regularly;
• That steps are taken to prevent and control the spread of disease among the animals and that isolation facilities are in place;
• That adequate protection is provided to the animals in the case of fire and other emergencies;
• That a register is kept. The register should contain a description of all animals received, their arrival and departure date and the name and address of the owner. The register should be available to be inspected at any time by a local authority officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner.

Your premises may be inspected by the Council's Animal Health Officers and/or an Environmental Health Officer to establish whether the premises are suitable, following a complaint or schedule inspection.  In the event on an inspection of the premises the relevant officer will contact the applicant directly.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

Yes - If an application is made online. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period.  The Council's target completion period for animal boarding establishment licences are 30 calendar days.

Apply Online

You can apply for a new animal boarding establishment licence or to renew or amend and existing licence online by using the relevant links below.

• Application for a licence to operate an animal boarding establishment.
• Application to renew an animal boarding establishment licence (Coming Soon).
• Application to change an animal boarding establishment licence (Coming Soon).

NOTE: Please note that when you click on one of the above links you will be redirected to the governments Business Link website.  If you don't have a Government Gateway account you will need to create one before you can proceed to the relevant form.  If you already have a Government Gateway account you will be invited to log in prior to completing the application.  This account is necessary as it will ensure that your details are pulled through to the relevant form and will enable you to track your applications once they've been submitted.

If you have any questions relating to the online application process or encounter problems during the online application process please contact the Licensing Service on 020 7641 8549 or email generallicensing@westminster.gov.uk.

Apply Via Post

If you wish to apply for a new animal boarding establishment licence please download the relevant form below and complete them in full. 

Once they have been completed they must be sent to the following address accompanied by the fee and any other relevant documents:

• Application for a licence to operate an animal boarding establishment.

If you have any questions relating to the application process or how to complete the forms please contact the Licensing Service on 020 7641 8549 or email generallicensing@westminster.gov.uk.

Failed Application Redress

If you wish to appeal against a decision of the local authority you may do so to the local Magistrates' Court. Appeals must be made within 21 days of the date you received notification of the decision in writing. Magistrates' court decisions can be appealed to the Crown Court.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

If you wish to appeal against a decision of the local authority you may do so to the local Magistrates' Court. Appeals must be made within 21 days of the date you received notification of the decision in writing. Magistrates' court decisions can be appealed to the Crown Court.

Consumer Complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Other Redress

If there is a concern about noise, pollution, etc please contact Westminster City Council's Environmental Action Line on 020 7641 2000 (24 hrs) or email environmentalactionline@westminster.gov.uk.  Also if there is a complaint relating to an existing licensed premises or a premises is suspected of operating without the required permission please contact the Council's Licensing Inspectors on 020 7641 3385 or email premiseslicensinginspectorate@westminster.gov.uk.

Trade Associations or useful links

Pet Care Trust (PCT)

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Royal Society of the Protection of Animals (RSPCA)