GuideAnimal boarding

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4. Apply and renew licences for a cat boarding establishment

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018

Licence applications

If you want to run a cattery you will need to apply for a licence.  

You will need to complete a Cat Boarding application form.

Alternatively you can download our application form here and return this to us via email at environmentalhealth@eastdevon.gov.uk 

See running a dog or cat boarding business for more information.

What you will need

You will need to provide us with information about the business such as your operating procedures outlining how you meet and comply with each of the conditions of the licence.

The following documents will need to be available for inspection during your visit:

  • Preventative Healthcare Plan/ Biosecurity Risk Assessment (signed by applicant’s registered veterinarian).

  • Staff Training Policy

  • Cleaning and Hygiene Procedure

  • Feeding Procedure

  • Disease Control and Prevention Procedure

  • Transport Procedure

  • Monitoring and Ensuring Health and Welfare of Animals Procedure

  • Death and Escape of Animals Procedure

  • Written Emergency Plan

  • Site Plan of Premises

  • Plan of Animal Accommodation for each enclosure with dimensions

  • Public Liability Insurance Certificate

  • List of Staff Qualifications

  • Staff training records for each member of staff (including volunteers)

  • DBS Certificate

  • Enrichment Procedure/ Plan for cats during their stay

For a full checklist of documents, click here

You can find further guidance available at Cat Boarding

Licence renewals

Licences can be valid for one to three years, depending on the standard.  You will need to apply to renew your licence at least 3 months before expiry if you want to keep running the business.

Data Protection

Find out about our Privacy Notices and how we will use information about you.

Start the journey

Start

More info about the journey

Payments

    • You will need to pay a fee for your licence. Please make sure you are aware of how much this will cost
    • You will need a credit or debit card to pay by phone
    • You will need to provide details of your current insurance for the business