Animal boarding establishments

A licence is required by anyone who runs a boarding establishment business providing accommodation for other peoples' cats and/or dogs. This includes private dwellings providing home boarding.

Apply for a licence

You can pay and apply for a licence, renew or change a licence online on the Business Link website:

• Apply for an animal boarding establishment licence (opens in a new window)
• Change an animal boarding establishment licence (opens in a new window)
• Renew an animal boarding establishment licence (opens in a new window)

Alternatively, you can download an application form below. Please complete and return to us with the application fee. See our animal licence fees page for details.

Does tacit consent apply?

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from us by the end of the target completion period - 20 working days from when we receive the completed application.

Am I eligible for a licence?

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

Licence requirements

• Animals will at all times be kept in suitable accommodation with regard to the construction, size of quarters, number of occupants, exercising facilities, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness
• Animals will have an adequate supply of suitable food, water and bedding material. They shall receive adequate exercise and be visited at suitable intervals (so far as necessary)
• All reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent the spread of infectious or contagious disease. This will include the provision of a suitable isolation facility
• Appropriate steps will be taken for the protection of animals in the case of fire or other emergency
• A register shall be kept containing a description of the animals boarded and the dates of their stay together with the details of ownership

We will shall specify such conditions in the licence that appear necessary to meet the licence requirements.

Legislation

The legislation covering this area is: Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.

Failed application redress

Please contact us in the first instance.

Any person who is refused a licence can appeal to High Wycombe Magistrates' Court (Law Courts, Easton Street, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 1LR, phone: 01494 651 017 email: wycombe.magistrates@hmcourtservice.gsi.gov.uk).

Licence holder redress

Please contact us in the first instance.

Any licence holder who objects to a condition attached to a licence may appeal to High Wycombe Magistrates' 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 (see link below). From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre (see link below).

Other redress

For information about unwanted noise, see our page on noise pollution.