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.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) consider that due to the free nature of cats they are not recommended for home boarding and that this practice should be discouraged.

Anyone can apply unless disqualified:

• from keeping a boarding establishment under Animal Boarding Act 1963
• from keeping a pet shop under the Pet Animals Act 1951
• from having the custody of animals under the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
• under section 34(2), (3) or (4) of 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