Boarding for cats and dogs

Check if you need a licence

You’ll need a licence if you provide facilities for cats and dogs as part of a business including:

• overnight accommodation for dogs in a home environment
• daytime accommodation for dogs
• overnight accommodation on a business premises including purpose-built cattery units and kennels

You do not need a licence if:

• your business provides accommodation but it's not the purpose of the business, for example a veterinary practice where accommodation is part of the treatment
• you provide accommodation for cats in a domestic setting
• your business looks after a dog or a cat in their normal place of residence, for example dog or cat sitting

Find out more about the conditions for cat boarding on GOV.UK
Find out more about the conditions for providing day care for dogs on GOV.UK 
Find out more about the conditions for home boarding for dogs on GOV.UK
Find out more about the conditions for dog kennel boarding on GOV.UK

Apply for a licence

For a new licence or to renew a licence, complete the relevant application form. Send it to us using the details at the bottom of this page, along with any supporting documentation.

Boarding for cats application form (ODT, 41KB)
Day care for dogs application form (ODT, 40KB)
Home boarding for dogs application form (ODT, 41KB)
Kennel boarding of dogs application form (ODT, 41KB)

You must submit a renewal application at least 12 weeks before the licence expires. This is so we can access your application and carry out any inspections in time for the licenced activity to continue without a break.

We also recommend you check if you need planning permission for your business. 

Fees

Barrow area

For both new applications and renewals the total fee is £278 plus vet fees. This is made up of a
£166 application fee and a £112 grant fee.

In the Barrow area, you can pay for your application online.

Eden area

The application fee for a new licence is £52 and £45.50 for a licence renewal, which you must pay when you apply. Before we issue your licence we'll send you an invoice for an additional fee for the initial inspection, interim inspection and risk assessment. This fee is determined from the inspecting officer’s admin and inspection time at a rate of £48 per hour. There may also be an additional vet inspection fee, if appropriate.

You can pay the fee by calling 0300 373 3300 using payment code: E03042 E8001 and your name and business name as the reference. Alternatively, you can send a cheque by post using the details at the bottom of this page or at the reception at Voreda House.

South Lakeland area

New applications are £260 and renewals are £223.52 plus vet fees.

When we get your application, we’ll either contact you to take the payment by card or send you an email with the details you need to make a payment.

Visit to your premises

Before we issue a licence, an officer will arrange to visit your premises to inspect your business. This is to see how you look after the animals in your care. We’ll establish if your business can comply with the conditions attached to the licence and assess you to ensure you’re a fit and proper person to carry out the licensable activities. For example, you need a good understanding of the risks involved in the care of the animals and will have to show extensive risk assessments, written policies and procedures during the inspection.

A veterinary inspection may also be carried out for which you'll need to pay an additional fee.

Following these visits a risk assessment will be completed and if your licence is granted, we’ll issue a star rating ranging from one to five stars. Depending on the star rating the licence will be issued for one, two or three years.

Contact our Licensing Team