What are the animal boarding licence requirements in England?
Under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, anyone who boards cats or dogs for reward in England must hold a licence granted by their local authority, meeting mandatory conditions on animal welfare, staffing, premises, and record keeping before they can legally operate.
How does the star rating system for kennels and catteries work?
Under the 2018 Regulations, all licensed boarding kennels and catteries in England are assessed against mandatory and higher welfare standards and awarded a star rating from one to five stars, with the rating tied directly to the duration of the licence: a rating of one or two stars gives a one year licence, three stars gives a two year licence, and four or five stars gives a three year licence.
What record keeping does a kennel or cattery licence require?
The 2018 Regulations require a licensed kennel or cattery to maintain a register of every animal boarded, including owner contact details, vaccination records, feeding and medication instructions, and a record of any veterinary treatment administered during the stay, retained for a minimum period after the animal's departure.
What does a local authority inspection of a boarding kennel involve?
A council inspector visits licensed kennels and catteries to assess compliance with mandatory licence conditions and the higher welfare standards under the 2018 Regulations, examining premises, animal care practices, documentation, and staff competence, with the outcome determining whether the licence is renewed and at what star rating.
What are the conditions of a dog boarding licence in England?
A dog boarding licence under the 2018 Regulations requires the operator to provide adequate space, socialisation, exercise, and veterinary access for every dog in their care, keep a full record of each animal and its stay, ensure staff are competent to handle dogs safely, and meet fire safety and hygiene standards on the premises.
How do you achieve a five star boarding licence in England?
A five star licence under the 2018 Regulations requires meeting all mandatory conditions plus demonstrating compliance with the higher welfare standards published by DEFRA, which cover enrichment, structured staff training, health monitoring, and documented welfare practices that go materially beyond the baseline.