Licensing & Registration

To run a boarding kennel or cattery, you need a licence from the local authority. In deciding whether to grant a licence the council, as well as being able to withhold it for other reasons, must pay regard particularly to the need to secure that the animals will be suitably accommodated, fed, exercised and protected from disease and fire, and that a proper register of animals is kept with their dates of arrival and departure and their owners' names and addresses. The number of dogs and cats that may be accommodated will be specified on the licence. A licence will contain standard conditions and the council may add other conditions:

• boarding conditions for cats (PDF 120.9kB)
• boarding conditions for dogs (PDF 142.6kB)
• additional conditions may apply, check with issuing department.

Details of fees for this licence can be found within the fees schedule for animal-related licences (PDF 19.5kB).

All licences expire annually on 31 December.

The council may authorise an officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner to inspect licensed premises.

An applicant must not be disqualified from any of the following at the time of the application:

• keeping an animal boarding establishment
• keeping a pet shop under the Pet Animals Act 1951
• keeping animals under the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
• 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
• owning, keeping, dealing in or transporting animals under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. In Scotland an applicant must also not be disqualified from working with, using, driving or riding animals, providing services to animals that would involve taking possession of them, taking possession of an animal to carry out any of the activities listed or taking charge of animals for any other purpose

Fees will be payable for applications and conditions may be attached.

The following criteria will be considered when the application is being evaluated:

• 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 food, drink and bedding materials will be provided and that the animals are 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.

• Apply to run an animal boarding establishment
• Renew your licence to run an animal boarding licence
• Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances

• Licensing
• Thurrock Council
• Civic Offices, New Road
• Grays
• Essex
• RM17 6SL

• Tel: 01375 652187 or 01375 652879
• Fax: 01375 652277
• Email: licensing@thurrock.gov.uk

• Pet Care Trust (PCT)
• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Please contact the council in the first instance.

Any applicant who is refused a licence can appeal to the local Magistrates' court.

Please contact the council in the first instance.

Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to their licence can appeal to the local Magistrates' court.

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.