Animal boarding (including home boarding and day care)
Licence summary
To run a boarding kennel, day care facility or cattery, you need a licence from the local authority. The number of dogs and cats that may be accommodated will be specified on the licence along with other specific conditions.
This includes home boarding which is defined as the boarding of dogs or cats that are not your own, in your home in exchange for any form of payment.
Falkirk Council may authorise an officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner to inspect licensed premises.
Eligibility criteria
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
- selling animals as pets under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021
- 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 Animal 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
The basic conditions for home boarding should be considered before applying:
Regulation summary
Application evaluation process
Non-refundable fees will be payable for applications and conditions may be attached.
| Fee type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Animal Boarding Establishments Licence | £320.30 |
| Animal Boarding Establishments Licence (Renewal) | £152.30 (plus Vet's fee if required) |
| Home Boarding Establishments Licence | £210.00 |
| Home Boarding Establishments Licence (Renewal) | £105 (plus Vet's fee if required) |
The following criteria will be considered when evaluating an application:
- That animals will always be kept in suitable accommodation. Suitable accommodation will take account of the construction and size of the accommodation, the number of animals housed, facilities for exercising the animals, standards of cleanliness, temperature control, lighting, and ventilation.
- That suitable food, drink and bedding materials will be provided, and that the animals are exercised and visited regularly.
- That appropriate steps are taken to prevent and control the spread of disease among the animals, and that suitable isolation facilities are provided.
- That adequate measures are in place to protect animals in the event of fire or other emergencies.
- That a register is kept. The register must contain a description of all animals received, their dates of arrival and departure and the name and address of the owner. The register must be available for inspection at any reasonable time by an authorised local authority officer or a veterinary surgeon or practitioner.
Will tacit consent apply?
No. It is in the public interest that we must process your application before it can be granted.
If you have not heard from us within 28 days, please contact us.
How to apply
To apply, change or renew a licence to run an animal boarding establishment or day care facility, you can complete the form below and return it to us by email:
To apply, change or renew a licence to run a home boarding establishment, you can complete the form below and return it to us by email:
Please also include the following with your application:
- Site plan and layout of facilities
- Public liability insurance certificate
- Any other supporting documentation with your application.
Failed application and licence holder redress
Please contact us in the first instance.
Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to their licence can appeal to their local Sheriff in Scotland.
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 licence 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.