Animal boarding
If you wish to provide boarding accommodation for other people’s dogs and cats, then you must obtain a licence issued under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.
To apply for an Animal Boarding Establishment licence, applicants must submit an application form and relevant fee.
When determining the application for an Animal Boarding Establishment licence, the Vale of Glamorgan Council will ensure that the Standard Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Kennels and/or for Catteries can be met.
A Licensing Officer from the council will visit the premises to ensure that it complies with the above. In certain circumstances a veterinary inspection may also be undertaken.
You will need to contact the council's Planning service before you start building and you will also need to consider arrangements for the disposal of waste.
A licence is valid for one year, and operates from 1 January to 31 December, however you can apply at any time during that period. An applicant can also apply for a licence to be granted to the next following year.
On successful completion of an application, the applicant will be granted an Animal Boarding Establishment Licence, which will expire on the 31 December.
In the event of the death of a person who is keeping a boarding establishment, the licence shall be deemed to have been granted to his personal representatives and shall remain in force until the end of the period of three months beginning with the death and shall then expire.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council may extend this period on application if satisfied that the extension is necessary for the purpose of winding up the deceased’s estate and that no other circumstances make it undesirable.
Tacit Consent
Yes. This means that 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.
The target time is 60 calendar days.
Background and Eligibility Criteria
Private dwellings are included however, you do not need a licence if the provision of boarding accommodation is in relation to another main activity or if the animals are kept because of the requirements of the Animal Health Act 1981.
Anyone can apply unless they are now, or have ever been:
- Disqualified from keeping a riding establishment
- Disqualified from keeping a dog
- Disqualified from keeping a pet shop
- Disqualified from having custody of a dog
- Disqualified from keeping a boarding establishment for dogs
- Subject to a prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006
The Animal Welfare Act 2006, places responsibilities for care and welfare of an animal, on persons who are in charge of or are responsible for the animal, whether on a permanent or temporary basis