The keeping and running of animal boarding establishments (Catteries and Kennels) is controlled by the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 
Who can apply?
No person may keep a boarding establishment for animals in Torbay without first obtaining a licence from Torbay Council.
An applicant must not be disqualified from any of the following at the time of the application:
- ·keeping an animal boarding establishment under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
- ·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.
Regulation Summary
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 £5000 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 £5000 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 £5000.
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.
Application Evaluation Process
There is an application fee which must be paid at the time an application is made.
| Type of Registration | Fee |
|---|---|
| New Home Boarding Licence | £190.00** |
| Home Boarding Licence - Renewal | £100.00** |
**Plus costs of vets fees as required
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 Online
You are able to apply online, using a template form and making payment through our secure online provider
Before starting your application, please download and read our guide to the application process.
Where a licence is granted, that licence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31st December of the year to which the licence relates and must be renewed before that date if the premises is to continue as an animal boarding establishment.
Is the Licence Granted Automatically?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from Torbay Council within 28 days, please contact us.
Council Duties
Before being granted a licence the applicant must be able to demonstrate to the Council's Licensing Inspector:
- 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 the Council.
- 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 the Council.
- In addition to the standard conditions a licence may also contain special conditions that are only applicable to your premises.
If you have not had a response to your application within 28 days, please contact the Licensing and Public Protection Team
Failed Application Redress
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.
Consumer Complaint
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.
will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.Trade Associations
Contact Licensing & Public Protection
- Tel: 01803 208025
- Email: licensing@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax: 01803 208854
