Animal licensing

Apply for a licence to provide boarding for cats

Under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, a licence is required to board cats as part of a business.

When is a licence needed?

A licence will be required if you are:

  • providing boarding of cats as part of a business, if you earn a commission or any fee (even if small)
  • arranging boarding of cats as part of a business and earning commission or fee

Are there any exceptions?

The following examples are considered out of scope and do not require a licence:

  • If the cat remains in its own home, for example, cat sitting
  • If the primary purpose of the cat being boarded is something else, for example a veterinary practice where the cat is being boarded as part of its medical treatment

What should I consider?

Cats cannot be boarded in a home boarding environment, they must be kept in appropriate pens as detailed in the guidance.

Full details are available to read below: 

How to apply

Complete the following online form:

Apply for an animal activity licence

How to pay

The application fee is payable when you have completed the online form. Only the application fee needs to be paid at this time. The grant fee for the issue of the licence is payable following inspection.

Fees

Boarding cats

Up to six animals:
  • Application fee including renewals - £170.00
  • Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
  • Licence grant fee for one year - £250.00
  • Licence grant fee for two years - £330.00
  • Licence grant fee for three years - £410.00
Seven to ten animals: 
  • Application fee including renewals - £190.00
  • Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
  • Licence grant fee for one year - £270.00
  • Licence grant fee for two years - £360.00
  • Licence grant fee for three years - £440.00
11+ animals: 
  • 11 to 30 animals - application fee including renewals - £205.00
  • 31 to 60 animals – application fee including renewals - £240.00
  • 61 to 99 animals – application fee including renewals - £280.00
  • 100+ animals – application fee including renewals - £320.00 
  • Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
  • Licence grant fee for one year - £320.00
  • Licence grant fee for two years - £440.00
  • Licence grant fee for three years - £520.00

Variation of licence

  • Application fee - £80.00
  • Vets fees where applicable and recharged at cost plus £85 inspection fee if required.

Minor variation

  • Minor administrative change (for example, name change or additional carer name) - £20.00

Transfer due to death of licensee

  • Application fee - £80.00

Re-evaluation of star rating

  • Application fee - £49.60
  • Inspection fee - £93.70

Copy of licence

  • Application fee - £11.60

Combination of licensable activities

  • Application fee - Highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee.
  • Additional costs - Vets fees as required recharged at cost.
  • Licence grant fee for one year - Highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee.
  • Licence grant fee for two years - Highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee.
  • Licence grant fee for three years - Highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee.

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