Licence - Business - Boarding Animals

Summary

 

A licence is required for any premises on which there is a business of providing accommodation for other people's animals (cats and dogs).

A licence will relate to the year in which it is granted or the following year, depending on the applicant's requirements. In the former case this will be the date on which it is granted and in the latter case on the 1st January next; and in each case remaining in force until the end of the year to which it relates, unless cancelled.

The penalties for offences under the Act include, fines of up to £500 or imprisonment for not more than three months or both. A further penalty is the cancellation of the licence, which may follow conviction for any offence under the Act or under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, or the Pet Animals Act 1951.

 

Eligibility

 

Anyone who boards cats or dogs

 

Procedure

 

In order to apply for an Animal Boarding Establishment Licence, you must complete the application form and send it in to us. Application forms are available from our office (see opening times/locations). Once your application has been received, we will carry out an inspection (bringing along a vet if this is a first application), and provided you meet the requirements, a licence will be issued.

 

Helplines

 

Regulatory Services, Animal Health: 01226 773860 / 772532

 

Charges/Fees

 

 Â£146.00 per year

Licence runs from 1st January to 31st December

 

Method of Payments Available

 

Cash or cheque

 

Opening Times/Locations

 

Opening times and location map, click link for further information.

 

How the customer can help

 

Please complete all relevant sections of the application form clearly, accurately and legibly.

 

Please return the form in plenty of time for a new licence to be granted or an old licence renewed.

 

Application Form References

 

Application to keep a boarding establishment for animals: PS3047. Available from our office (see opening times/locations)

 

Leaflets

 

Booklets available:

• Model licence conditions for cat boarding establishments
• Model licence conditions for dog boarding establishments

 

Distribution Points

 

Booklets are available from our offices (see Opening Times/Locations)

 

Legislation

 

• Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.

 

Response Times/Next Steps

 

• Once your application has been accepted and the fee has been paid, the licensing section will arrange for an inspection to be carried out by the Animal Health Officer
• Once the inspection has been completed, a report is submitted to the licensing section for their action.
• Once the report has been received and there are no objections to the application then the licence is issued.
• If objections are received then the licensing section will prepare a report which will be considered at the next meeting of which you as the applicant will be invited to attended and may be represented by a solicitor if you so desire.

 

Out of Hours Procedure

 

No out of hours procedure for this service.

 

Owner Officer Contact Details

 

Animal Health Officer
Regulatory Services,
3rd Floor,
Central Offices,
Kendray Street,
Barnsley,
S70 2TN.

Telephone number: - 01226 772532 / 773860

 

Additional Notes

 

The Council is the responsible licensing authority for this area and among the factors which we are obliged to take into account in deciding whether to grant a licence in any particular case are:

• The suitability of the accommodation as respects construction, size of quarters, number of occupants, exercising facilities, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness;
• Arrangements for suitable food and drink, bedding material, adequate exercise of and regular visits to, the animals;
• That reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent the spread of infection among the animals; and
• That there are adequate precautions against fire and other emergencies.

Power of entry

Local Authority Officers, veterinary surgeons or practitioners authorised in writing by the Local Athority for this purpose, may, upon producing their authority if required, inspect a licensed Animal Boarding Establishment and any animals found there at all reasonable times. Persons wilfully obstructing or delaying authorised officers are subject on conviction to a maximum penalty at level 1 on the Standard Scale.

Disqualification and cancellations

If convicted under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 or under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 or the Pet Animals Act 1951, the Court may cancel any Animal Boarding Establishments licence held by the person.

The Court may also disqualify him from holding such a licence, whether or not he currently holds one, for any specified period. The court, pending an appeal, may suspend the cancellation or disqualification of a licence.

The Local Authority must refuse applications for ABE licences from persons disqualified under:

• the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 (from boarding animals)
• the Pet Animals Act 1951 (from keeping a pet shop)
• the Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) Act 1933 (from keeping a dog)
• the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954 (from having the custody of animals) (Sec. 1(2))

Definitions

Animal - means any cat or dog

Local Authority - means the Council or any County District, the Council of a Borough or the Common Council of the City of London or in Scotland means the Council of any County or Borough

 

Last modified on 15/9/2008