Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

A Report based on the work of the CIEH Animal Boarding Establishments Working Party

published in 1993, as amended by discussions with the British Veterinary Association

(BVA), British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), Feline Advisory Bureau

(FAB), Pet Trade and Industry Association (PTIA) and the Association of District Councils

(ADC).

This document has been prepared in the best interests of animal welfare and to improve

kennel management. No liability rests with the contributing bodies for circumstances arising

out of the application of conditions contained within.

Founded in 1883, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is a professional

and educational body, dedicated to the promotion of environmental health and to encouraging

the highest possible standards in the training and the work of environmental health officers.

The Institute has over 9,000 members, most of whom work for local authorities in England,

Wales and Northern Ireland. Apart from providing services and information to members, the

Institute also advises government departments on environmental health and is consulted by

them on any proposed legislation relevant to the wok of environmental health officers.

The Institute received its Royal Charter in 1984.

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

Following the passing of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963, the BVA published

licensing of animal boarding establishments. The comments in their 1985 document are still

relevant:

“Historically local authorities were recommended to grant licences to premises of substandard

nature conditional upon the recommended standards being met by a specified date

but not later than 1 January 1980. In practice in many instances it has proved impossible to

raise the standards of such premises after the initial issue of licences. Concurrently a greater

number of premises are now being offered for inspection prior to the granting of licences for

the boarding of cats and dogs and no reason can be seen for granting licences to any premises

which fail to meet current standards in any major respect.”

Animal boarding establishments fulfil a public need. The public have a right to expect that

all premises satisfy basic standards relating to the health, welfare and safety of the animals

boarded. Establishment owners should know the minimum standards they must attain. The

licensing authority should apply the standards sensibly and appropriately.

The continuing task for local authorities, veterinary professionals and the trade is to raise

standards of health, safety and welfare in such establishments. The conditions contained in

this booklet have been agreed by relevant bodies involved in the provision and control of

such establishments. The contents represent the minimum standards to be applied in order to

achieve that goal.

Chairman

______________________________________________________________________

Veterinary Inspectors, BVA 1985

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

This booklet is based on the original work of the Institution of Environmental Health Officers

(IEHO), now The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Animal Boarding

Establishments Working Part, which reported in 1993.

The original Members of the CIEH Animal Boarding Establishments Working Party were:

Graham Bell (Corresponding member) Wigan Metropolitan District Council

Chris Evans North Hertfordshire District Council

Tina Garrity CIEH

Lou Leather (Chairman) Wood Green Animal Shelters

Cathy McKenzie CIEH

Andy Piper Borough Council of King’s Lynn and

West Norfolk

Mike Reed Eastleigh Borough Council

In the former publication acknowledgements were given to the following organisation for

their assistance in its production:

British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA)

British Veterinary Association (BVA)

Department of the Environment (DoE)

Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB)

Home Office (HO)

National Dog Warden Association (NDWA)

Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)

This revised booklet is the result of further discussions and deliberations by the following:

Deborah Wood Association of District Councils (ADC)

John Dalton (BSAVA)

Paul DeVille (BVA)

Graham Jukes (CIEH) (Chairman)

Lou Leather (CIEH)

Andy Piper (CIEH)

Caryl Cruickshank (FAB)

Diana Cruickshank (FAB)

David Cavill Pet Trade and Industry Association (PTIA)

Barry Huckle (PTIA)

The Chartered Institute is grateful to the following sponsors whose generous financial

contribution has enabled the publication to be distributed initially without charge.

Firmfix (Manufacture) Ltd

Wood Green Animal Shelters

Parasol Animal Housing Ltd

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

Feline Advisory Bureau (Sophie Hamilton-Moore Trust)

Pet Trade and Industry Association

Pedigree Petfoods

Spillers Foods

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

3.1 GENERAL 5

3.2 WALLS AND PARTITIONS 6

3.3 FLOORS 6

3.4 CEILINGS 6

3.5 DOORS 7

3.6 WINDOWS 7

3.7 DRAINAGE 8

3.8 LIGHTING 8

3.9 VENTILATION 8

3.10 MAINTENANCE 8

4.1 NUMBERS OF DOGS PERMITTED 9

4.2 KENNEL SIZE, LAYOUT AND EXERCISE FACILITIES 9

5.1 TRAINING 11

5.2 TEMPERATURE IN KENNELS 11

5.3 CLEANLINESS 12

5.4 FOOD AND WATER SUPLIES 13

5.5 KITCHEN FACILITIES 13

5.6 DISEASE CONTROL AND VACCINATION 14

5.7 ISOLATION 15

5.8 REGISTER 15

5.9 IDENTIFICATION OF KENNELS 16

5.10 SUPERVISION 16

5.11 FIRE PRECAUTIONS 17

HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC ACT 1974 19

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT 1990 19

ELECTRICITY AT WORK REGULATIONS 1989 20

CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH

REGULATIONS 1988 20

CONTROLLED WASTE REGULATIONS 1992 21

THE CONTROL OF DOGS ORDER 1992 21

DANGEROUS DOGS ACT 1991 21

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

Page 1

Local Authorities issue licences to proprietors of boarding kennels under the

provision of The Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963. The licence can

stipulate a number of conditions to secure the following objectives:

i) that dogs are kept in accommodation suitable in respect of construction, size,

temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness;

ii) that dogs are adequately supplied with suitable food and drink, and are visited

at suitable intervals;

iii) that dogs are kept secure;

iv) that reasonable precautions are taken to prevent the spread of infectious

diseases;

v) that appropriate steps be taken in the event of an emergency;

vi) that a suitable consistent level of management is maintained.

In 1993 The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) published

comprehensive guidance and model licence conditions to ensure that a consistent

approach was maintained in the issuing of licences and the enforcement of the

legislation by local authorities.

Following the publication of the guidance and model conditions it became apparent

that the conditions were being applied by some local authorities too rigidly and

without due regard to the detailed guidance notes, which in the original document,

were separated from the model conditions. The Guidance Notes provided a detailed

explanation for the conditions and provided a framework for a consistent approach

while allowing freedom of interpretation and flexibility to be applied by the licensing

authorities in accordance with local circumstances.

A working group consisting of CIEH, Association of District Councils (ADC), British

Veterinary Association (BVA), British Small Animal Veterinary Association

(BSAVA), Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) and the Pet Trade and Industry Association

(PTIA) met to consider changes in the format of the guidance and model conditions

based on the CIEH’s original work in order to improve the readability, interpretation

and consistent application of the document. This booklet and its companion volume

dealing with cat boarding establishments contains the model conditions and guidance

together with additional information will be of considerable value to both the industry

and enforcement officers.

It should be stressed that the aim of licence conditions is to ensure high standards of

animal care and health and safety are maintained in animal boarding establishments.

If variations to the model conditions are made local authorities should bear in mind

that the principal aim must still be met.

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

Page 2

In new establishments there is an expectation that all appropriate conditions should be

met as a basic minimum standard. In existing establishments it is accepted that some

of the conditions may need to be phased in over a period of time by agreement

between the establishment owner and the local authority in which case a licence,

subject to an agreed scheme of works and a suitable realistic timescale for

implementation should be issued.

Where appropriate and as necessary the local authority should seek the advice and

assistance of a veterinary surgeon.

For ease of reference and application the model conditions have been set out in the

text in bold type with notes appended adjacent in italics giving additional information.

Throughout the text and as a licence condition the following applies:

1.1 Unless otherwise stated, these conditions shall apply to all the buildings and

areas to which dogs have access and/or are used in association with the

boarding of dogs.

Use of the term ‘kennel’ refers to combined sleeping and individual exercise areas.

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

Page 3

The principal legislation dealing with Animal Boarding Establishments is the Animal

Boarding Establishments Act 1963 which addresses the areas to be covered by the

licence relating to animal welfare and management. It is essential that consumers and

those responsible for premises management are aware of the licence conditions:

LICENCE DISPLAY

2.1 A copy of the licence and its

conditions must be suitably

displayed to the public in a

prominent position in, on

or about the boarding

establishment.

Other legislation and issues to be taken into consideration by kennel owners are:

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

Page 4

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

Page 5

3.1 GENERAL

3.1.1 The establishment must , at all

times, be laid out and operated

in accordance with an

approved plan, to be attached

to the licence, Before carrying

out any alterations, plans must

be submitted to and approved

by the licensing officer of the

local authority.

3.1.2 Where wood has been used in

existing construction it must

be smooth and treated to

render it impervious. Wood

should not be used in exposed

construction of walls, floors,

partitions, doorframes or doors

in the dog kennelling area.

There must be no projections

liable to cause injury

3.1.3 Fencing material must be

secure and safe.

3.1.4 Sleeping areas of kennels

must be so insulated as to

prevent extremes of

temperature.

3.1.5 The construction must be such

that the security of the dog is

ensured.

3.1.6 All exterior wood must be

properly treated against wood

rot, e.g. Tanalised. Only

products which are not toxic

to cats may be used.

3.1.7 All internal surfaces used in

the construction of walls,

floors, partitions, doors and

door frames to be durable,

smooth and impervious.

There must be no projections

or rough edges liable to cause

injury.

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

Page 6

3.2 WALLS AND PARTITIONS

3.2.1 Walls with which dogs may

come into contact must be of

smooth impervious materials,

capable of being easily

cleansed. Where concrete or

other building blocks or bricks

are used in such walls, they

must be sealed so as to be

smooth and impervious, and

resealed as necessary.

3.2.2 Junctions between vertical and

horizontal sections should be

coved. If impractical in

existing premises, all joints

must be sealed.

3.2.3 Partition walls between

kennels must be of solid

construction to a minimum

height of 1.2m (4ft).

3.2.4 In new construction, in

exercise runs the lower section

of partitions in adjoining runs

must be of solid construction.

3.3 FLOORS

3.3.1 Floors of all buildings,

individual exercise areas and

kennels, must be of smooth,

impervious materials, capable

of being easily cleansed and in

new kennels must incorporate

a damp proof membrane.

3.3.2 All floors of kennels and

individual exercise areas must

be constructed and maintained

in such a condition as to

prevent ponding of liquids.

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

Page 7

3.3.3 In new construction floors

must be laid to a minimum fall

of 1 in 80 leading to a shallow

drainage channel or

effectively covered deep

drainage channel.

3.3.4 Communal exercise areas

must be suitably drained but

need not comply with

conditions 3.3.1 and 3.3.2.

3.4 CEILINGS

3.4.1 Ceilings must be capable of

being easily cleansed and

disinfected.

3.5 DOORS

3.5.1 Kennel doors must be strong

enough to resist impact and

scratching and must be fitted

to be capable of being

effectively secured.

3.5.2 Where metal bars and frames

are used, they must be of

suitable gauge (approximately

10-14) with spacing adequate

to prevent dogs escaping or

becoming entrapped. Where

metal edging is used, this must

not present a risk of injury to

the dog.

3.5.3 Door openings must be

constructed such that the

passage of water/waste is not

impeded, or allowed to gather

due to inaccessibility.

3.6 WINDOWS

3.6.1 All windows which pose a

security risk must be escape

proof at all times.

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

Page 8

3.7 DRAINAGE

3.7.1 The establishment must be

connected to mains drainage

or an approved, localised

sewage disposal system.

3.8 LIGHTING

3.8.1 During daylight hours light

must be provided to exercise

and sleeping areas so that all

parts are clearly visible.

Where practicable this must

be natural light.

3.8.2 Adequate supplementary

lighting must be provided

throughout the establishment.

3.9 VENTILATION

3.9.1 Ventilation must be provided

to all interior areas without the

creation of excessive,

localised draughts in the

bedding area.

3.10 MAINTENANCE

3.10 Maintenance and repair of the

whole establishment must be

carried out regularly.

Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog Boarding Establishments

Page 9

4.1 NUMBER OF DOGS PERMITTED

4.1.1 The maximum number of dogs

to be kept at any one time is

…………………… [TO BE

DETERMINED BY THE

LOCAL AUTHORITY].

4.1.2 Each dog must be provided

with a separate kennel except

that dogs from the same

household may share a kennel

of adequate size with the

written consent of the dogs’

owner.

4.1.3 Holding kennels may be

provided for temporarily

kennelling a dog for not more

than 24 hours. Holding

kennels, if provided, must

comply with conditions as

required for main kennels.

Holding kennels must be a

minimum area of 2.3 sq m (25

sq ft).

4.1.4 No animals other than dogs

are to be boarded within the

licensed facilities without the

written approval of the local

authority.

4.1.5 Where stray dogs are accepted

by the kennels they must be

kept in a separate area away

from boarded dogs.