Animal Boarding
Page last updated 14 May 2007
Any premises (including a private dwelling) which is used for the business of providing accommodation for other people’s cats or dogs is described as an Animal Boarding Establishment. Any person who runs such an establishment requires a licence under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.
Boarding establishments are inspected by authorised Council Officers or Veterinary Surgeons. Licences have a number of conditions attached to them covering the accommodation in which animals are kept, the adequacy of food, drink and exercise, control of disease spread, protection of animals from fire or other emergency, and a register of animals. Licences normally run for one year, but always expire on 31 December.
Dangerous Wild Animals
Dangerous Wild Animal Act licences are issued under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. The Act does not apply to Zoos, Circuses, Pet Shops or to establishments registered for carrying out animal experiments. There is a schedule attached to the Act which states which animals fall within the term "dangerous wild animal".
Breckland Council has a power of entry and inspection of premises which hold a Licence. We may seize any dangerous wild animals which is being kept on the premises if the animal is unlicensed, or where any condition of the Licence is not being complied with.
Areas considered in respect of issuing a Licence include the accommodation, which should be secure, and suitable in respect of its construction size, temperature, lighting, ventilation, draining and cleanliness. The accommodation must be supplied with adequate and suitable food, drink and bedding material and must be visited at suitable intervals. There must also be emergency provisions, such as in respect of fire or in cases of infectious disease. Further information can be found on the DEFRA web site.
Dog Breeding
Anyone who breeds dogs as a business or produces, for sale, 5 or more litters of puppies per year needs to be licensed under the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 amended by the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999. Hobby breeders are therefore normally exempt.
On receipt of an application, the information provided will be assessed, and if satisfied an officer and, either a veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner will arrange to inspect the premises and prepare a report on the premises and applicant. This report will be taken into consideration before granting a licence. Conditions are imposed which restrict the number of litters that each bitch can have, require identification of puppies and specify the records that must be kept.
Once granted, a licence is valid for one year and is renewable annually.
Pet Shops
The sale of animals as pets needs to be licensed under the Pet Animals Act 1951. Invertebrates are not included. Conditions, attached to licences, control the accommodation in which animals are kept, the adequacy of food and drink, prevention of disease spread, fire precautions and the age at which animals can be sold. Pets must not be sold in streets or to children under 12. Sale of animals at Bird or Reptile fairs or similar is normally illegal.
Licences normally run for one year, but always expire on 31 December. Officers inspect Pet Shops, if necessary with a Vet, to ensure compliance with conditions
Riding Establishments
Stables which hire out horses or ponies for riding or instruction must be licensed under the Riding Establishments Act 1964, as amended. Livery stables are not included.
A riding establishment will be inspected regularly to ensure that the accommodation is suitable in size and design and well maintained. The horses/ponies will undergo a veterinary inspection to ensure that they are in good health and physically fit for the purpose.
Once granted, a licence is valid for one year from the day on which it comes into force. Conditions are attached to licences, to ensure animal welfare and also to help secure the safety of riders. Public Liability Insurance is required.
Zoos
The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 applies to any establishment, other than a Circus or Pet Shop, where wild animals are kept for public exhibition on more than seven days in any consecutive twelve months.
Licences are granted initially for four years and thereafter are normally renewable every six years. The Secretary of State for the Environment has specified standards of modern Zoo practice to which Local Authorities must have regard. These can be found on the DEFRA web site. Inspections of zoos are required under the Act and Local Authorities carry them out with two inspectors nominated by the Secretary of State and up to three appointed by the Local Authority, at least one of whom will be a Veterinary Surgeon or Practitioner.
Breckland Council has two Zoos in the district; one is Banham Zoo in Banham, and the other is Kensington Lodge Farm in Mattishall.
Other Links
For details about application forms for animal licensing, please follow the link.
Link to the animal licences
For further infomration on other licences please follow the link.
Link to Licensing page
Link to current licence fees 2007/8 (pdf doc, 23kb)
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