Animal Boarding Establishment

Application Forms

Application Process

To apply for an Animal Boarding Establishment licence, applicants must submit an application form and relevant fee.

When determining the application for an Animal Boarding Establishment licence, the Vale of Glamorgan Council will ensure that the Standard Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Kennels and/or for Catteries can be met.

A Licensing Officer from the council will visit the premises to ensure that it complies with the above. In certain circumstances a veterinary inspection may also be undertaken.

You will need to contact the council's Planning service before you start building and you will also need to consider arrangements for the disposal of waste.

A licence is valid for one year, and operates from 1 January to 31 December, however you can apply at any time during that period. An applicant can also apply for a licence to be granted to the next following year.

On successful completion of an application, the applicant will be granted an Animal Boarding Establishment Licence, which will expire on the 31 December.

In the event of the death of a person who is keeping a boarding establishment, the licence shall be deemed to have been granted to his personal representatives and shall remain in force until the end of the period of three months beginning with the death and shall then expire.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council may extend this period on application if satisfied that the extension is necessary for the purpose of winding up the deceased’s estate and that no other circumstances make it undesirable.

Tacit Consent

Yes. 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 target time is 60 calendar days.

Background and Eligibility Criteria

Private dwellings are included however, you do not need a licence if the provision of boarding accommodation is in relation to another main activity or if the animals are kept because of the requirements of the Animal Health Act 1981.

Anyone can apply unless they are now, or have ever been:

• Disqualified from keeping a riding establishment
• Disqualified from keeping a dog
• Disqualified from keeping a pet shop
• Disqualified from having custody of a dog
• Disqualified from keeping a boarding establishment for dogs
• Subject to a prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006

The Animal Welfare Act 2006, places responsibilities for care and welfare of an animal, on persons who are in charge of or are responsible for the animal, whether on a permanent or temporary basis

Conditions

There are two sets of conditions under animal boarding namely Catteries and Dog Boarding Kennels. A licence issued for a cattery and/or a dog boarding kennel will have certain condition/s applied to the licence.

Fees

Application for the grant of a licence: £256.00

All costs associated with determining the application of the licence or any veterinary costs incurred by the Vale of Glamorgan Council during the period of the licence will be charged to the licence holder.

Offences and Penalties

The following offences and penalties apply to the keeping of animal boarding establishment:

Anybody found guilty of keeping an animal boarding establishment without a licence may be subject to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale or to three months imprisonment or both.

Anybody found guilty of failing to comply with the conditions of their licences may be subject to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale or to three months imprisonment or both.

Anybody found guilty of obstructing or delaying an Inspector, or authorised Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinary Practitioner in the exercising of their powers of entry may be subject to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

Authorised officers of the Council and/or authorised veterinary surgeons/practitioners may enter and inspect a boarding premises at any reasonable time.

If found guilty under the Animal Boarding Establishments 1963, the Protection of Animals Act 1911, Pet Animals Act 1951, or any offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, sections 4,5,6(1) and (2), 7 to 9 and 11 the defendant's licence may be cancelled and they may be disqualified from keeping an animal boarding establishment for such length of time as the Court thinks fit.

Complaint and Other Redress

• Failed Application Redress

  Please contact the Licensing Team in the first instance:

  Tel: 0300 123 6696

  Email: licensing@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

   

  Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence may appeal to the Magistrates Courts who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.

• Licence Holder Redress

  Please contact the Licensing Team in the first instance:

  Tel: 0300 123 6696

  Email: licensing@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

   

  Any person aggrieved by any conditions to which a licence is subject may appeal to the Magistrates Courts who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.

• 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 of a letter with proof of delivery. 

   

  If that has not worked and you are located in the UK Consumer Direct will be able to give you advice.    

   

   

Regulations and Guidance

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)   DEFRA