Animal boarding establishments

• New Animal Licensing Regime from 1st October 2018
• Apply for a licence

New Animal Licensing Regime

On 1st October 2018, The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 come into force. These regulations will replace a number of pieces of existing legislation set to be repealed at the end of 2018 and will provide a new single licensing regime for a number of animal licensing activities.

Those undertaking the following activities will need to be licensed under the new regime:

• Selling animals as pets
• Providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs (including day care)
• Hiring out horses
• Breeding dogs
• Keeping or training animals for exhibition

Licences held under the current system relating to pet shops, animal boarding establishments, riding establishments or dog breeding will continue in force for the rest of their term. Licence holders will then need to make an application for a licence under the new regime and comply with the new requirements.

The new Regulations set nationally applicable conditions that licence holders must comply with. A ratings system will be introduced whereby licence holders will be given a rating dependant on specified criteria. Current licence holders are advised to consider the conditions contained within the new regulations which will need to be complied with.

The Regulations can be found at:

• The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 - on the Legislation UK website

Fees and a policy will be determined by the authority.

Zoos and Dangerous and Wild Animals will continue to be licensed under existing legislation.

Further information will be placed on this page when available.

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Animal boarding establishments - apply for a licence

An animal boarding establishment is a business that provides accommodation for other people's dogs or cats. This includes:

• kennels
• catteries
• dog day care boarding
• home boarding

Under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 those who run such establishments must obtain a licence from the Local Authority. All applications for an animal boarding licence are treated on their own merit but when issuing a licence Adur & Worthing Councils may impose a number of conditions to secure the following licensing objectives:

• Dogs and cats are kept in accommodation suitable in respect of construction, size, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness
• They are adequately supplied with food and drink, and are visited at suitable intervals
• The animals are kept secure
• Reasonable precautions are taken to prevent the spread of infectious disease
• Appropriate steps are taken in the event of an emergency
• A suitable, consistent, level of management is maintained

Adur & Worthing Councils have produced a guide to the licensing of Animal Boarding Establishments to assist the public, business operators, enforcement officers and councillors:

• Guide to Animal Boarding Establishment Licensing (179KB)

Please note: Licence holders and applicants should note that the legislation dictates that all animal boarding licences expire on 31st December irrespective of when the licence was applied for or granted. A full year's fee is required to be paid on application irrespective of the time of year application is made.

Apply for an animal boarding establishment licence

Prices are subject to an annual increase in April.

If you would like to apply for an animal boarding licence in Adur or Worthing please contact the Licensing Unit.

Report an unlicensed home boarding establishment

It is an offence to board animals without the relevant licence. Adur & Worthing Councils when issuing licences inspect premises to ensure their suitability and the arrangements in place to protect the animals and the public. If you have knowledge of an unlicensed Animal Boarding Establishment or Home Boarding Establishment please contact the Public Health & Regulation Team.

See also:

• Other dog information

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