Providing boarding for cats and dogs

Kennels, Catteries, Home boarding of dogs and Day care for dogs

Guidance notes for boarding cats

Guidance notes - new cattery application

Guidance notes for boarding dogs in Kennels

Guidance notes for Dog Day Care

Guidance notes for home boarding dogs

New home boarder application - guidance notes

Application form - Animal Boarding

Providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats or dogs is defined in Schedule 1 of the regulations as follows:

Providing or arranging for the provision of accommodation for other people’s cats or dogs in the course of a business on any premises where the provision of that accommodation is a purpose of the business.

A licence is required for any premises where a person charges for providing temporary accommodation to other people's cats or dogs. Businesses that arrange for the provision of animal boarding, even if they do not board animals themselves, also require a licence, for example franchise holders.

There are four categories of licence for animal boarding:

1. Boarding Kennels - commercial premises boarding dogs overnight in specific units designed for such purpose.
2. Catteries - commercial premises boarding cats overnight in specific units designed for such purpose.
3. Dog Day Care Centres - commercial premises where dogs are looked after during the day and are not boarded overnight.
4. Home Boarding (Dogs) - dogs are kept in the domestic home of an individual(s) who charge for the service, which includes day and overnight care

Third parties, such as franchise holders who arrange for any of the above activities for a fee or commission will also require a licence. They will need to contact us so that their licence fees and inspection regime can be worked out.

A boarding licence is not required for the boarding of any other types of animal.

Businesses that look after dogs within its normal place of residence, such as pet sitters are not subject to licensing, neither is the provision of dog walking services.

Looking for a licensed home boarder, kennel, cattery or day care?

Please select the button below to view licensed establishments offering boarding for cats or dogs. Please note that not all licence holders have chosen to advertise their services on these pages.

Licensed home boarding establishments

Licensed kennel establishments

Licensed day care establishments for dogs

Licensed cattery establishments