The Legislation

Under the Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963, anyone who wishes to carry on the business of providing accommodation for other people’s cats and dogs must obtain a licence.

What we Check For

The aim of the licensing requirements is to achieve certain standards in the management of the accommodation and to ensure precautions against disease and fire.  This is done by attaching relevant conditions of licence to ensure that animals are kept in suitable accommodation.

Before the licence is issued, the Council must be satisfied that the premises are adequate in terms of:

• construction, size, number of occupants, exercise facilities, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness
• that animals will be adequately supplied with food and drink, bedding material, adequately exercised and visited at suitable intervals
• that adequate precautions are in place in case of infectious disease
• that adequate fire and emergency precautions are in place
• that a suitable register of animals boarded is maintained

For more information please read our Animal Boarding Advice webpage and the model licence conditions for boarding kennels and catteries. 

Applying for a Licence

Should you wish to apply for a licence then please complete an application form Application Form 42Kb PDF and return it with the appropriate fee to the Environmental Health Service.  We will arrange to inspect the premises before granting a licence.  All inspections are carried out in conjunction with a consultant veterinary surgeon.  Once a licence is granted annual inspections will be performed prior to the renewal of the licence.

Please be aware that in the event that your application is refused you will not be refunded the application fee or any part thereof under any circumstances.  Fees are also not refunded in the event of an application being withdrawn.

In addition, new applicants are advised to contact the planning department to ascertain whether it is necessary to obtain planning permission for their establishment.  This should be done before applying for a licence.  Should you be considering erecting new kennels and/or cattery accommodation or carrying out alterations to existing kennels and/or cattery accommodation, you are also advised to contact the building control department and/or the planning department.

Application Fees

The current fees are:

Home Boarding

It is becoming increasingly popular for individuals to carry out small-scale commercial boarding of dogs within their own home. This requires an animal boarding licence and compliance with the Council's specific model conditions for the Home Boarding of Dogs. In all other aspects, the application and licensing process is the same as any other animal boarding establishment. Reduced fees are applicable for home boarding. Please contact the Environmental Health Service for details.

Licensed Animal Boarding Establishment in Ashford

A list of licensed Animal Boarding Establishments is available on the Council’s Online Public Register of Licenses and Registrations.  View the licences issued by Ashford Borough Council.

Selecting an Animal Boarding Establishment

Before booking a cat or dog into boarding accommodation it may be worthwhile to visit more than one establishment as some catteries/kennels may suit the needs or temperament of your cat/dog better than others. All animals must be up to date in terms of vaccinations before being accepted at a boarding establishment and proof of such will need to be provided to the proprietor upon arrival.

Further Information

For further information contact:

Environmental Health Service, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford  TN23 1PL 

Telephone: 01233 330204

Email the Environmental Health Team

Fax: 01233 330469