Animal boarding

Catteries and Kennels in Derbyshire Dales are licensed by the district council.

Application for a licence must be made to us and a licence may be issued if the applicant is not disqualified under any of the following acts:

• The Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963
• The Pet Animals Act 1951
• The Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
• The Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) (Scotland) Act 1934.

There is an application fee, which must be paid at the time an application is made. Currently the fee is £80.00 plus any veterinary inspection fees and an administration fee of £11.50.

Licences must be renewed by 31 December each year.

Our duties

Before being granted a licence the applicant must be able to demonstrate to us:

• That the animals will at all times be kept in accommodation suitable in respect of construction, size of quarters, number of occupants, exercising facilities, temperatures, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness
• That animals will be adequately supplied with suitable food, drink and bedding materials, adequately exercised, and (so far as is necessary) visited at suitable intervals
• That all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent and control the spread of infectious or contagious diseases, including the provision of adequate isolation facilities
• That appropriate measures will be taken to protect the animals in case of fire or other emergency, including the provision of suitable fire fighting equipment
• That a register containing a description of any animal received into the establishment, the date of arrival and departure, and the name and address of the owner will be kept, and that the register will be available for inspection at all times by a licensing inspector or by a veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner authorised by us.

A licence may be refused or withheld on other grounds if those grounds are such that conditions were not suitable for the boarding of animals. Each licence issued is subject to standard conditions that are imposed on all animal boarding establishments licensed by us.

In addition to the standard conditions a licence may also contain special conditions that are only applicable to your premises.

Your right of appeal

Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence or by any conditions to which a licence is subject may appeal to the Magistrates Courts who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.

Offences and penalties

The following offences and penalties apply to the keeping of animal boarding establishment.

• Anybody found guilty of keeping an animal boarding establishment without a licence may be subject to a fine not exceeding £500 or to three months imprisonment or both;
  
• Anybody found guilty of failing to comply with the conditions of their licences may be subject to a fine not exceeding £500 or to three months imprisonment or both
  
• Anybody found guilty of obstructing or delaying an inspector, or authorised veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner in the exercising of their powers of entry may be fined up to a maximum of £500.
  

If found guilty under this act, the defendant's licence may be cancelled and they may be disqualified from keeping an animal boarding establishment for such length of time the court thinks fit.

A copy of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 can be inspected at the district council offices where you may also obtain a copy of our standard licensing conditions, an application form and further help or advice.

Copies of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 and other legislation mentioned in this information sheet can be purchased from:

The Stationery Office,
PO Box 29,
Norwich,
NR3 1GN
Tel: 0870 600 5522
Fax: 0870 600 5533

Paying online 

Have you received a Licensing Invoice and want to Pay Online? You will need the invoice number to make a payment.

Contact Details

Licensing
Town Hall
Bank Road
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3NN

Tel: 01629 761 313
Fax: 01629 761 165
Email: licensing@derbyshiredales.gov.uk