Animal licensing

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

When is a licence needed?

A licence will be required if you are:

• providing boarding for dogs as part of a business and earning a commission or any fee (even if small)
• arranging boarding for dogs as part of a business and earning a commission or fee

Are there any exceptions?

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

• If no payment is made to the boarder you are not required to have a licence. However, if you are boarding on behalf of a business who earns a fee for arranging the board, you would have to be inspected in order for the business’ licence to be granted. There will be a charge for this inspection.
• If the dog remains in its own home, for example, dog sitting
• If the primary purpose of the dog being boarded is something else, for example, a veterinary practice where the dog is being boarded as part of its medical treatment

What should I consider?

Full details are available in the guidance notes below: 

• Guidance notes for providing home boarding for dogs

The following may also be of special interest:

• Home boarding includes both overnight stays as well as daycare (or both) and is classed as one licensable activity even if both are carried out
• Dogs must be boarded fully within the home. Additional kennels or outside buildings cannot be used. There are separate requirements for day care centres and kennels set in the legislation and details can be found in the enclosed links.
• The maximum number of dogs allowed is based on the number of rooms available in the home
• Details of the rooms that can be used are listed under 3.2 in the guidance along with those that are not allowed. A room each must be allocated for your own dog(s) or cat where applicable. 
• The number of dogs permitted on your premises is as stated on your licence. No further dogs may be allowed onto the premises for any period of time. This includes dogs that are not being boarded such as those being walked only.

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

Home boarding for dogs

Up to six dogs:

• Application fee including renewals - £137.80
• Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
• Licence grant fee for one year - £198.50
• Licence grant fee for two years - £270.10
• Licence grant fee for three years - £336.30

Seven to ten dogs: 

• Application fee including renewals - £154.40
• Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
• Licence grant fee for one year - £198.50
• Licence grant fee for two years - £270.10
• Licence grant fee for three years - £336.30

11+ dogs:

•  Application fee including renewals - £170.90
• Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost.
• Licence grant fee for one year - £198.50
• Licence grant fee for two years - £270.10
• Licence grant fee for three years - £336.30

Arranger - main person:

• Application fee including renewals - £88.70
• Licence grant fee for one year - £198.50
• Licence grant fee for two years - £270.10
• Licence grant fee for three years - £336.30

In scope carer:

• Application fee including renewals - £88.20
• Additional costs - Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost
• Licence grant fee for one year - £198.50
• Licence grant fee for two years - £270.10
• Licence grant fee for three years - £336.30

Out of scope carer:

• Application fee including renewals - £88.20

Variation of licence

• Application fee - £60.60
• 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) - £16.50

Transfer due to death of licensee

• Application fee - £60.60

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.