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Boarding Kennels/Catteries/Riding Establishments
Our service
The Environmental Health team will be able to
give impartial advice regarding these establishments. They carry
out inspections on a regular basis.
Who can keep a boarding
establishment? >>
How can I obtain a licence to
board animals and how much will it cost? >>
Where can
I download and print an application form for a Boarding
Kennels or Cattery? (36kb) >>
What are the Council's duties?
>>
If my application is refused, how can I
appeal? >>
Offences and Penalties >>
Further information about Boarding
Establishments >>
Riding Establishments
>>
Telephone: (023) 9244 6667
Email: ehenvironment@havant.gov.uk
Visit: Civic Offices, Civic Centre Road,
Havant PO9 2AX
Boarding Kennels and Catteries (Boarding Establishments)
Who can keep a boarding establishment?
No person may keep a boarding establishment
for animals without first obtaining a licence from their Local
Authority. Prior to making an application you are advised to
consult the Council's Planning Office where you will receive advice
on whether you need to obtain consent for any development
involved.
How do I obtain a licence to board animals?
Application for a licence must be made to the
Local Authority and a licence may be issued if the applicant is not
disqualified under any of the following Acts:
a) The Animal Boarding Establishment Act
1963.
b) The Pet Animals Act 1951.
c) The Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954.
d) The Animal Welfare Act 2006.
There is an application fee which must be paid
at the time the application is made. Follow this link to find
current
licence fees >>.
If you wish to apply for a licence you
can:
Where a licence is granted, that licence and
any subsequent licence will expire on the 31st December of the year
to which the licence relates and must be renewed before that date
if the premises are to continue as an animal boarding
establishment.
Council Duties
Before being granted a licence the applicant
must be able to demonstrate to the Council's Licensing
Inspector:
That the animals will at all times be kept in
accommodation suitable in respect of construction, size of
quarters, number of occupants, exercising facilities, temperatures,
lighting, ventilation and cleanliness.
That animals will be adequately supplied with
suitable food, drink and bedding materials, adequately exercised,
and (so far as is necessary) visited at suitable intervals.
That all reasonable precautions will be taken
to prevent and control the spread of infectious or contagious
diseases, including the provision of adequate isolation
facilities.
That appropriate measures will be taken to
protect the animals in case of fire or other emergency, including
the provision of suitable fire fighting equipment.
That a register containing a description of
any animal received into the establishment, the date of arrival and
departure, and the name and address of the owner will be kept, and
that the register will be available for inspection at all times by
a Licensing inspector or by a Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinary
Practitioner authorised by the Council.
A licence may be refused or withheld on other
grounds if those grounds are such that conditions were not suitable
for the boarding of animals.
Each licence issued is subject to standard
conditions that are imposed on all animal boarding establishments
licensed by the Council.
In addition to the standard conditions a
licence may also contain special conditions that are only
applicable to your premises.
Appealing, Offences and Penalties
Your Right of Appeal
Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence or by
any conditions to which a licence is subject may appeal to the
Magistrates Courts who may give such directions regarding the
licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.
Offences and Penalties
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 licences 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 as the Court thinks
fit.
Further Information about Boarding Establishments
Copies of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 and other
legislation mentioned in this information sheet can be purchased
from The Stationery Office.
A copy of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 can be
inspected at the Council Offices where you may also obtain a copy
of the Council's standard licensing conditions, an application form
and further help or advice
Riding Establishments
The term 'riding establishment' refers to any business of
keeping horses to let them out on hire for riding, or for use in
providing instruction in riding for payment, or both. Premises
where the horses are kept by the Secretary of Defence, Police,
Zoological Society of London, or a university providing a
veterinary course, are exempt. A report must be received from a
listed veterinary surgeon or practitioner before a license can be
issued.
The Council must also consider the following matters:
- Whether the applicant appears to be suitable and qualified
(i.e. holder of an approved certificate, experienced in managing
horses, etc).
- That consideration will be given to the condition of the
horses, that they will be maintained in good health and their feet
properly looked after.
- Adequate pasture, shelter, water, exercise, rest and grooming
is provided.
- The horses shall be suitable for the purposes for which they
are kept.
- Whether a current insurance policy is held insuring the holder
against liability for any injury sustained from using those
horses.
Licences are issued annually to persons over the age of 18. A 3
month provisional license may be issued to enable compliance.
Inspections are always done by a vet who must be approved by the
RCVS and BVA. It is also essential that inspectors have a special
knowledge of horses and horse management.
Establishment proprietors must have a current certificate of
insurance which indemnifies them against public liability for a
minimum of £2 million.
There is an application fee which must be paid at the time an
application is made, plus the vets inspection fee, which is
invoiced separately later. Follow this link to find current
licence fees >>.
If you wish to apply for a licence you can:
For further information and advice contact
the:-