www.wakefield.gov.uk: Animal boarding

Friday, February 10 2012

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Wakefield Council
Town Hall
Wood Street
Wakefield
WF1 2HQ

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You are here: www.wakefield.gov.uk > Environment > Animal health and welfare > Animal licences

Animal boarding

To run a boarding kennel or cattery, you need a licence from the council. The number of dogs and cats that may be accommodated will be specified on the licence along with other specific conditions. The licence is valid for one year which will need renewing at the end of this time.

The council may authorise an officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner to inspect licensed premises at any time should this be required. In these circumstances an additional charge to cover these costs may be payable.

Eligibility criteria

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
owning, keeping, dealing in or transporting animals under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

Apply for an animal boarding licence

Apply online via the UK Welcomes website:

Application evaluation process

The following criteria will be considered when the application is being evaluated:

That the animals will be kept in suitable accommodation at all times. Suitable accommodation takes into account the construction and size of the accommodation, the number of animals to be housed in it, facilities for exercising the animals, cleanliness and temperature, lighting and ventilation provisions.
That suitable food, drink and bedding materials will be provided and that the animals are exercised and visited regularly.
That steps are taken to prevent and control the spread of disease among the animals and that isolation facilities are in place.
That adequate protection is provided to the animals in the case of fire and other emergencies.
That a register is kept. The register should contain a description of all animals received, their arrival and departure date and the name and address of the owner.
The register should be available to be inspected at any time by a council officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner.

Fees

The fee for a licence to:

commercially board 1-20 animals is £131.10
commercially boarding 20+ animals is £168.30
to board a maximum of 2 dogs depending on breed/size at your home is £93.80

The fee to renew or make a change to your licence to:

commercially board 1-20 animals is £112.20
commercially board 20+ animals is £149.90
board a maximum of 2 dogs depending on breed/size at your home is £75.00

Target

The target for completing the licence is 28 days.

Tacit consent

No. This means that the licence cannot automatically be granted within the target period. The Council will notify you of the reasons why the licence cannot be granted within the target time.

Failed Application Redress

Please contact the council in the first instance.

Any applicant who is refused a licence can appeal to their local Magistrates' court.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact the council in the first instance.

Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to their licence can appeal to their local 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. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.