1. Those wishing to start a Boarding Kennels or Cattery business or to Buy a Kennels
2. Those wishing to find more pet owners  to direct to their established kennels via our Directory
3. Those  wishing to find the best local boarding kennels for their cat or dog.

We shall start for those interested in starting a boarding kennels in the U.K for example. The application process is almost the same from council to council and it is most probably of interest to some pet owners who wish to know more about the steps a boarding kennel business has to take to set up. After all, it is where their beloved pet will be staying.

Animal Boarding Establishments Licence:

Anybody that is interested in starting an Animal Boarding business that looks after other people’s cats or dogs has to get an Animal Boarding Establishments Licence from the local District Council.

The first step is the application for a licence in the United Kingdom. Most other western countries follow a similar procedure.

To apply, you need to be eligible, therefore licence applicants must not be disqualified from any of the following at the time of the application:

1. Keeping an animal boarding establishment.
2. Keeping a pet shop under the Pet Animals Act 1951
3. Keeping animals under the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
4. 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.
5. Owning, keeping, dealing in or transporting animals under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

When applying, you will need to enclose a fee, this varies according to which local authority you live in, in the United Kingdom.

Application Evaluation Process:

Councils and Local Authorities will take into account the following points when evaluating whether a Boarding Kennels establishment will be granted a licence:

• 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 and adequate food, drink and bedding materials will be provided to the animals and that animals will be 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 local authority officer, veterinary surgeon, or practitioner.

Normally, a council would get back inside 28 days to let applicants know whether they were unsuccessful in their application for a Animal Boarding Licence.
Therefore, tacit consent would apply, meaning 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.

We hope the above information is useful as a guide for those interested in starting a boarding kennels or animal boarding establishment.

For dog and cat owners, you can see from the evaluation criteria above, that the local authorities take great care in issuing licences, and if any doubt feel free to ask your chosen Boarding Kennels representative if they have an official licence. Their licence will be displayed in a prominent position within their establishment or outside of the said establishment.

Here is some useful information for Kennel operators and pet owners to know. For the most part, boarding kennel owners will know all of this, but it is a healthy refresher. For pet owners, we feel this information is very reassuring and good to know and have in mind when viewing kennels in preparation for their beloved pet’s stay:

Licence Display

The Animal Boarding Establishments Act covers animal boarding places. It deals with the areas to be covered by the licence relating to animal welfare and management.

Both customers and anyone responsible for managing the premises must be aware of the licence conditions.

Establishments must display a copy of the licence and its conditions in a position where they are easy to see on or about your premises.  If they are displayed outside, you must protect the licence and its conditions from the weather. It is best if the licence is displayed in the reception area.

The licence must say:

• the number of dogs the premises is licensed for, and….
• the number of isolation and holding kennels they are allowed.

Insurance

The operator must arrange adequate insurance indemnity, covering the maximum number of dogs boarded.

Several companies offer policies specific to animal boarding premises. Their details are often advertised in pet publications.

If you are an owner of an animal boarding premises you are able to insure just the liability aspect, by taking out third party liability cover.

Boarding kennels and Animal Boarding Establishments must insure against:

• veterinary fees for accident and illness;
• death from accidents;
• death from illness; and
• loss from theft and straying.

Boarding Kennels must:

• insure against public liability.
• have Employers Liability Insurance if you employ staff.
• display certificates of insurance prominently.

Staffing issues

Proviision of staff toilets and washing facilities that meet health and safety requirements.

An adequate first aid kit must be available for staff use. Staff should be adequately trained in:

• the safe handling of dogs;
• emergency procedures to be followed
• all other aspects of the licence conditions relating to their work.

Staff should also be regularly vaccinated against Tetanus.

Kennels that board both dogs and cats

Do not keep cats and dogs within sight of each other, unless you have a good reason to.

General information:

• Where wood has been used in an existing construction it must be smooth and treated to make it waterproof.
• Wood should not be used in exposed construction of walls, floors, partitions, door frames or doors in the dog kennelling area.
• There must be nothing sticking out or any rough edges which could cause injury.
• Fencing material must be secure and safe.
• Sleeping areas of kennels must be insulated to prevent extremes of temperature.
• The construction must be such that the security of the dog is ensured.
• All exterior wood must be properly treated against wood rot, for example ‘Tanalised’.
• Only products which are not toxic to cats may be used.
• All internal surfaces used in the construction of walls, floors, partitions, doors and door frames must be durable(hard wearing), smooth and impervious (waterproof).

Identifying and controling dogs on site

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 means that all dogs, when in a public area, must wear a collar and tag stating the name and address of the owner.

It is recommended that all dogs boarded at the premises should wear a collar and tag identifying the name of the owner, or have the collar and tag secured immediately outside the kennel.

This will help to identify the dog and will help staff with dog control in the event of escape, or if there is a fire or other emergency. When dogs share a kennel, take off their collars and hang them outside.

Management – Training

You must provide a written training policy, which you can use to prove that permanent, part time staff and seasonal workers have been trained.

The following topics must be covered in the programme:

• Animal Welfare.
• Cleanliness and Hygiene.
• Feeding and Preparing Food.
• Disease Control.
• Recognition and Treatment of Sick Animals.
• Health and Safety.
• Emergency Procedures.
• Transporting Animals.

All vehicles used by the kennels for transporting dogs must be regularly serviced, kept clean and adequately ventilated.

They must be fitted with cages of adequate size for safely transporting dogs. Vehicles must be secure and should never be left unattended when transporting a dog.