Ashfield District Council: Boarding Animals

Boarding Animals

The Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963 requires any person who keeps a boarding establishment for cats and/or dogs to be licensed by the Local Authority.

Select to download model licence conditions and guidance for dog boarding establishments.

Select to download model licence conditions and guidance for cat boarding establishments.

Copies of the Act can be viewed at all council offices. If you require further assistance under the requirements of the Act please contact us

An Animal Boarding establishment must be licensed where; at premises of any nature (including a private dwelling) a business provides accommodation for other peoples animals.

Therefore, if you intend to open a cattery or kennels within the district, then it will be necessary for you to obtain a licence under the above act.

How to apply

To apply for an Animal Boarding Establishment Licence you must complete an application form and send the form with a plan of the premises and the appropriate fee to the council offices.

Application forms can be obtained by selecting the links below:

Select this link to download an Animal Boarding Establishment Licence in MS-Word format.

Select this link to download an Animal Boarding Establishment Licence in PDF format.

An application form can be obtained from the licensing section of Ashfield District Council.

Online Application

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

No. It is in the public interest and the Animals Welfare that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from Ashfield District Council within a reasonable period, please contact the licensing section of Ashfield District Council.

Apply to run an animal boarding establishment

Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances

Renew your licence to run an animal boarding licence

Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance.

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.

Trade Associations

Pet Care Trust (PCT)

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

What happens next?

Once your application has been received and the fees have been paid, the Licensing Section will arrange for an inspection to be carried out. On new applications the inspection will be carried out by an authorised Veterinary Surgeon and an Environmental Health Officer; for renewals the inspection is normally carried out by an Environmental Health Officer. Once the inspection has been carried out and any necessary works completed, the licence is issued.

Appeal against refusal

Any person aggrieved by a local authority refusing to grant a licence, or by any conditions to be satisfied before a licence is granted, may appeal through the Magistrates Court. On appeal the court may request the issue of a licence or alter/withdraw licence conditions .

We look forward to receiving your application and if you have any difficulty with any of the forms or have any questions, please contact the licensing section.

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