Applicant
Applicants Name
Address
Main Telephone Number
Other Telephone Number
E-mail Address
Is the applicant over 18
Business Name
Website Address
- Keeping a pet shop
- Keeping a dog
- Keeping an animal boarding establishment
- Keeping a riding establishment
- Having custody of animals
- None of the above
Has the applicant, or any person who will have control or management of the establishment, been convicted of any offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006
Has the applicant, or any person who will have control or management of the establishment, ever had a licence refused, revoked or cancelled
For information about how and why we may process your personal data protection rights or how to contact our data protection officer, please view our Privacy Notice.
http://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/privacynotice
Premises
Address of premises to be licenced
Telephone Number
E-mail Address
Have they obtained the appropriate planning permission for this business use
Is there a Head Office Address
Additional Details
Name of usual veterinary surgeon
Name of veterinary practice
Address
Telephone number
E-mail Address
Name
Address
Telephone Number
Alternative Number
E-mail Address
Do they have public liability insurance to cover the business activities
Is the business certified by a UKAS accredited body
There are two fees associated with this application, the application fee which should have been paid at the time of the application and also then a licence fee which needs to be paid once the decision to grant the licence has been made.
Has the application fee been received
Has the licence fee been received
Specific Details
The maximum number of cats to be boarded at any one time is
How many units are used for the business of cat boarding
Are there any employees associated with this business activity
Is there any one else who assists in this business activity
General Conditions
This section details the general licence conditions from Schedule 2 of the Regulations that you need to comply with and the Licensing Officer will indicate for each licence condition the following;
Yes (Green) - You have complied with this licence condition.
Yes but review (Amber) - You just need to look at this a little bit further to be considered fully compliant.
Yes will be (new) (Amber) - this will be in place once the licence is issued.
No (Red) - you have not complied with this licence condition.
If Yes, is not selected then the Licensing Officer may also select all or part of the guidance from that particular licence condition for your information and to assist you in complying with the licence condition. Further text may also be provided.
1.1 A copy of the licence must be clearly and prominently displayed on any premises used for the licensable activity.
1.2 The name of the licence holder followed by the number of the licence holder’s licence must be clearly and prominently displayed on any website used in respect of the licensable activity
2.1 The licence holder must ensure that at any time all the records that the licence holder is required to keep as a condition of the licence are available for inspection by an inspector in a visible and legible form or, where any such records are stored in electronic form, in a form from which they can readily be produced in a visible and legible form.
2.2 The licence holder must keep all such records for at least three years beginning with the date on which the record was created.
3.1 No animals or types of animal other than those animals and types of animal specified in the licence may be used in relation to the relevant licensable activity.
3.2 The number of animals kept on any premises at any time must not exceed the maximum that is reasonable taking into account the facilities and staffing.
4.1 Sufficient numbers of people who are competent for the purpose must be available to provide a level of care that ensures that the welfare needs of all the animals are met.
4.2 The licence holder or a designated manager and any staff employed to care for the animals must have competence to identify the normal behaviour of the species for which they are caring and to recognise signs of, and take appropriate measures to mitigate or prevent, pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour.
4.3 The licence holder must provide and ensure the implementation of a written training policy for all staff.
5.1 All areas, equipment and appliances to which the animals have access must present minimal risks of injury, illness and escape. They must be constructed in materials that are robust, safe and durable, in a good state of repair and well maintained.
5.2 Animals must be kept at all times in an environment suitable to their species and condition (including health status and age) with respect to—
(a) their behavioural needs,
(b) its situation, space, air quality, cleanliness and temperature,
(c) the water quality (where relevant),
(d) noise levels,
(e) light levels,
(f) ventilation.
5.3 Staff must ensure that the animals are kept clean and comfortable
5.4 Where appropriate for the species, a toileting area and opportunities for toileting must be provided.
5.5 Procedures must be in place to ensure accommodation and any equipment within it is cleaned as often as necessary and good hygiene standards are maintained. The accommodation must be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
5.6 The animals must be transported and handled in a manner (including for example in relation to housing, temperature, ventilation and frequency) that protects them from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
5.7 All the animals must be easily accessible to staff and for inspection. There must be sufficient light for the staff to work effectively and observe the animals.
5.8 All resources must be provided in a way (for example as regards. frequency, location and access points) that minimises competitive behaviour or the dominance of individual animals.
5.9 The animals must not be left unattended in any situation or for any period likely to cause them distress.
6.1 The animals must be provided with a suitable diet in terms of quality, quantity and frequency. Any new feeds must be introduced gradually to allow the animals to adjust to them.
6.2 Feed and (where appropriate) water intake must be monitored, and any problems recorded and addressed.
6.3 Feed and drinking water provided to the animals must be unspoilt and free from contamination.
6.4 Feed and drinking receptacles must be capable of being cleaned and disinfected, or disposable.
6.5 Constant access to fresh, clean drinking water must be provided in a suitable receptacle for the species that requires it.
6.6 Where feed is prepared on the premises, there must be hygienic facilities for its preparation, including a working surface, hot and cold running water and storage.
7.1 Active and effective environmental enrichment must be provided to the animals in inside and any outside environments.
7.2 For species whose welfare depends partly on exercise, opportunities to exercise which benefit the animals’ physical and mental health must be provided, unless advice from a veterinarian suggests otherwise.
7.3 The animals’ behaviour and any changes of behaviour must be monitored.
7.4 Where used, training methods or equipment must not cause pain, suffering or injury.
7.5 All immature animals must be given suitable and adequate opportunities to—
(a) learn how to interact with people, their own species and other animals where such interaction benefits their welfare, and
(b) become habituated to noises, objects and activities in their environment.
8.1 All people responsible for the care of the animals must be competent in the appropriate handling of each animal to protect it from pain, suffering, injury or disease.
8.2 The animals must be kept separately or in suitable compatible social groups appropriate to the species and individual animals. No animals from a social species may be isolated or separated from others of their species for any longer than is necessary.
8.3 The animals must have at least daily opportunities to interact with people where such interaction benefits their welfare.
9.1 Written procedures must—(a) be in place and implemented covering—
(i) feeding regimes,
(ii) cleaning regimes,
(iii)transportation,
(iv)the prevention of, and control of the spread of, disease,
(v) monitoring and ensuring the health and welfare of all the animals,
(vi)the death or escape of an animal (including the storage of carcasses);
(b) be in place covering the care of the animals following the suspension or revocation of the licence or during and following an emergency.
9.2 All people responsible for the care of the animals must be made fully aware of these procedures.
9.3 Appropriate isolation, in separate self-contained facilities, must be available for the care of sick, injured or potentially infectious animals.
9.4 All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent and control the spread among the animals and people of infectious diseases, pathogens and parasites.
9.5 All excreta and soiled bedding for disposal must be stored and disposed of in a hygienic manner and in accordance with any relevant legislation.
9.6 Sick or injured animals must receive prompt attention from a veterinarian or, in the case of fish, an appropriately competent person and the advice of that veterinarian or, in the case of fish, that competent person must be followed.
9.7 Where necessary, animals must receive preventative treatment by an appropriately competent person.
9.8 The licence holder must register with a veterinarian with an appropriate level of experience in the health and welfare requirements of any animals specified in the licence and the contact details of that veterinarian must be readily available to all staff on the premises used for the licensable activity.
9.9 Prescribed medicines must be stored safely and securely to safeguard against unauthorised access, at the correct temperature, and used in accordance with the instructions of the veterinarian.
9.10 Medicines other than prescribed medicines must be stored, used and disposed of in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer or veterinarian.
9.11 Cleaning products must be suitable, safe and effective against pathogens that pose a risk to the animals. They must be used, stored and disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and used in a way which prevents distress or suffering of the animals.
9.12 No person may euthanase an animal except a veterinarian or a person who has been authorised by a veterinarian as competent for such purpose.
9.13 All animals must be checked at least once daily or more regularly as necessary to check for any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour. Vulnerable animals must be checked more frequently. Any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour must be recorded and the advice and further advice (if necessary) of a veterinarian (or in the case of fish, of an appropriately competent person) must be sought and followed.
10.1 A written emergency plan, acceptable to the local authority, must be in place, known and available to all the people on the premises used for the licensable activity, and followed where necessary to ensure appropriate steps are taken to protect all the people and animals on the premises in case of fire or in case of breakdowns for essential heating, ventilation and aeration or filtration systems or other emergencies.
10.2 The plan must include details of the emergency measures to be taken for the extrication of the animals should the premises become uninhabitable and an emergency telephone list that includes the fire service and police.
10.3 External doors and gates must be lockable.
10.4 A designated key holder with access to all animal areas must at all times be within reasonable travel distance of the premises and available to attend in an emergency.
Specific Conditions
This section details the SPECIFIC licence conditions from Schedule 4 - Part 1 of the Regulations that you need to comply with and the Licensing Officer will indicate for each licence condition the following;
Yes (Green) - You have complied with this licence condition.
Yes but review (Amber) - You just need to look at this a little bit further to be considered fully compliant.
Yes will be (new) (Amber) - this will be in place once the licence is issued.
No (Red) - you have not complied with this licence condition.
If Yes, is not selected then the Licensing Officer may also select all or part of the guidance from that particular licence condition for your information and to assist you in complying with the licence condition. Further text may also be provided.
2.1 Cats within the premises to which the licence relates must be prevented from coming into direct contact with other animals from outside the premises.
2.2 There must be a safe, secure, waterproof roof over the entire cat unit.
2.3 A cat unit may only be shared by cats from the same household.
2.4 Communal exercise areas are not permitted.
2.5 Each cat unit must be clearly numbered and there must be a system in place which ensures that information about the cat or cats in each cat unit is available to all staff and any inspector.
2.6 Each cat unit must provide the cat with sufficient space to—
(a) walk,
(b) turn around,
(c) stand on its hind legs,
(d) hold its tail erect,
(e) climb,
(f) rest on the elevated area; and
(g) lie down fully stretched outwithout touching another cat or its walls.
2.7 Each cat unit must have sufficient space for each cat to sit, rest, eat and drink away from the area where it urinates and defecates.
2.8 Cats must have constant access to their sleeping area.
2.9 A litter tray must be provided at all times in each cat unit. A safe and absorbent litter material must be provided. Litter trays must be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
2.10 Each cat unit must include an elevated area.
2.11 Adjoining cat units must have solid barriers covering the full height and full width of the adjoining wall.
2.12 Any gaps between cat units must be a minimum of 0.6 metres wide.
2.13 Any cat taken out of a cat unit must be secured in a suitable carrier.
2.14 The sleeping area must form part of the cat unit and be free from draughts.
3.1 There must be an area within the unit in which the cat can avoid seeing other cats and people if it so chooses.
3.2 Each cat unit must include a facility for scratching. Any surface within a cat unit available for scratching must either be disinfected between uses by different cats or disposed of.
3.3 All cats must be provided with toys or feeding enrichment (or both) unless advice from a veterinarian suggests otherwise.
3.4 All toys and other enrichment items must be checked daily to ensure they remain safe and must be cleaned and disinfected at least weekly.
4.1 A register must be kept of all the cats on the premises which must include—
(a) the dates of each cat’s arrival and departure,
(b) each cat’s name, age, sex, neuter status and a description of it or its breed,
(c) each cat’s microchip number, where applicable,
(d) the number of any cats from the same household,
(e) a record of which cats (if any) are from the same household,
(f) the name, postal address, telephone number and email address of the owner of each cat and emergency contact details,
(g) in relation to each cat, the name, postal address, telephone number and email address of a local contact in an emergency,
(h) the name and contact details of each cat’s normal veterinarian and details of any insurance relating to the cat,
(i) details of each cat’s relevant medical and behavioural history, including details of any treatment administered against parasites and restrictions on exercise,
(j) details of each cat’s diet and related requirements,
(k) any required consent forms,
(l) a record of the date or dates of each cat’s most recent vaccination, worming and flea treatments, and
(m) details of any medical treatment each cat is receiving.
5.1 A cat must remain in its assigned cat unit, except when it is moved to an isolation cat unit or to a holding cat unit.
5.2 Where any other activity involving animals is undertaken on the premises, it must be kept entirely separate from the area where the activity of providing boarding for cats takes place.
5.3 All equipment must be cleaned and disinfected before a cat is first introduced into a cat unit.
5.4 A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the veterinarian with whom the licence holder has registered under paragraph 9(8) of Schedule 2 must be implemented.
5.5 A holding cat unit must only be used in an emergency and must not be used for longer than is necessary and in any event for no longer than a total of 12 hours in any 24-hour period. A “holding cat unit” means a cat unit, separate from any other cat unit, in which a cat may be housed temporarily.
Higher Standards
A number of higher standards have been agreed. Meeting the higher standards is optional but is the only way to gain a higher star rating. The higher standards are classified in to two types: required (blue) and optional (red) and are outlined in the activity guidance document. To qualify as meeting the higher standards, the business needs to achieve all of the required higher standards as well as a minimum of 50% of the optional higher standards.
Staffing levels will be up to 1 full-time equivalent attendant per 20 cats kept or a higher ratio of qualified staff.
Cats must be provided with a design and layout that provides them with choice. This can be achieved by, for example, inclusion of raised platforms.
Temperature in the sleeping environment must be above 18°C.
All individual cats must be inspected at least once at an appropriate interval during the out of hours period (e.g. 1800-0800).
Where more than one cat share a unit daily behavioural observations are recorded– these should especially focus on any signs of stress/aggression.
A competent person must be on site at all times.
Units must be 1.5 times the minimum sizes stated. the calculation of the total area available can include raised areas.
Each cat must have access to at least two raised areas – one of which must be in the sleeping area and one must be in the exercise area.
There must be completely opaque sneeze barriers rather than translucent up to 600mm and behind any shelves.
Where applicable, there must be a completely separate unit for any other activities such as rescue or breeding.
A member of staff with an OFQUAL regulated Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject must be present during the working day.
Ventilation must be a managed, fixed or portable, air system to ensure appropriate temperatures are maintained in all weathers. This can be an air conditioning unit or use of removable fans.
Provision must include a choice of hiding places and different levels/shelves.
Behavioural observations must be recorded daily.
Designated on site isolation facilities must be available and must follow the same size and facility requirements as normal cattery unit.
Have they met all required higher standards (blue) and 50% of the optional higher standards (red)
Risk Rating
This licence application and visit is regarding
Licence
Is this application for one animal activity
Has this business met the minimum standards that are required for this business activity
The business activities wee classified as
The Scoring Matrix
Using the scoring matric from the DEFRA document 'Procedural guidance notes for local authorities' then the following length of licence and star rating has been granted by Charnwood Borough Council
At least one visit will be carried out to during the term of a licence.
Unannounced inspections can also be carried out and should be used in the case of complaints or other information that suggests licence conditions are not being complied with or that the welfare of the animals involved in a licensed activity is at risk.
During the course of an inspection the inspector may choose to take samples for laboratory testing from the animals on the premises occupied by an operator. The operator must comply with any reasonable request of an inspector to facilitate the identification, examination and sampling of an animal including ensuring that suitable restraints are provided if requested.
If you need to vary your licence for any reason then you need to discuss the variation and reasons why with the Licensing Officer. If the variation is an administration only change then there will be a charge of £17. If a visit is required to assess the variation then the charge will be £70. It will be the Licensing Officer that determines whether a visit is required.
If you need an additional copy of your licence then there will be a charge of £4.
A local authority may at any time vary a licence:
(a) On the application in writing of the licence holder, or
(b) On your own initiative, with the consent in writing of the licence holder.
(c) In addition to the above a local authority may suspend, vary or revoke a licence without the consent of the licence holder if:
i. The licence conditions are not being complied with, ii. There has been a breach of the Regulations,
iii. Information supplied by the licence holder is false or misleading, or iv. It is necessary to protect the welfare of an animal.
Such a suspension, variation or revocation of a licence will normally take effect 7 working days after the decision has been issued to the licence holder unless the reason is to protect the welfare of an animal in which case you may stipulate that the decision has immediate effect.
The decision to vary or suspend the licence must be notified to the licence holder in writing, explain the reasoning for the decision, and provide information regarding when the suspension, variation or revocation comes into effect and the rights of the licence holder, as well as any specific changes that you deem necessary in order to remedy the situation.
The decision to vary or suspend a licence should be dependent on the severity of the situation, if an operator fails to meet administrative conditions or provide information when requested then this could potentially lead to the suspension of a licence if it happens repeatedly. Revocation of a licence should occur in an instance where poor welfare conditions are discovered or it would otherwise benefit the welfare of the animals involved to be removed from the activity. Variations can occur if adjustments need to be made, whether that is to the licence itself or to the premises/animals referred to in the licence.
Under paragraph 16(2) of the Regulations if it is necessary to protect the welfare of an animal the local authority may specify in the notice of suspension, variation or revocation that it takes immediate effect.
A local authority notice must be delivered in one of three ways, in person; by leaving it at or sending it by post to the person’s current or last known postal address; or by emailing it to the person’s current or last known email address.
Following the issuing of the notice the licence holder will then have 7 working days to make written representation. Upon receipt of this you must decide whether to continue with the suspension, variation or revocation of the licence or cancel the decision to make changes to the licence. If the licence has been altered to protect the welfare of an animal then you must indicate that this is the reason and whether the change is still in effect.
The business will not be able to trade once the suspension of a licence has come into effect and cannot do so until the decision is overturned by either the local authority
upon being satisfied that licence conditions are being met or by the First-tier Tribunal
who may decide the local authority’s decision was incorrect.
If a licence is suspended for a significant period of time then the local authority should ensure that the animals are checked on regularly to ensure that the welfare of the animals is maintained.
As with applications the licence holder may appeal to a First-tier Tribunal if they do not agree with the decision made by the local authority. This must be done within 28 days of the decision.
Note that if representation is not responded to within 7 working days of receipt then the initial decision the local authority made is deemed to be overturned, this is also the case if a licence which is initially suspended has no further action taken on it within 28 days.
It is an offence to breach any licence condition. It is also an offence not to comply with an inspector’s request in the process of taking a sample from an animal. Samples should be as non-invasive as possible however inspectors may deem more invasive samples necessary if there are concerns over the welfare of the animals, the provision for sampling is primarily aimed at veterinarians carrying out inspections and it is not expected that samples be taken by those without the training to properly and safely do so.
It is also an offence to obstruct an inspector who has been appointed by a local authority to enforce the Regulations. Committing either of these offences could result in an unlimited fine.
Anyone who carries on any of the licensable activities without a licence is liable to imprisonment for a term of up to six months, a fine or both, section 30 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 allows for local authorities to prosecute for any offences under that Act.
An inspector may not enter any part of premises which is used as a private dwelling unless 24 hours' notice off the intended entry is given to the occupier, parts of the dwelling which are not a private dwelling may be entered by an inspector if the premises is specified in a licence as premises on which the carrying out of an activity is authorised or is a premises on which he reasonably believes an activity to which a licence relates is being carried on.
A justice of the peace can issue a warrant authorising an inspector or constable to enter a premises on the request of an inspector or constable using reasonable force if necessary in order to search for evidence of the commission of a relevant offence.
The justice will only issue a warrant if there are reasonable grounds for believing that a relevant offence has been committed on the premises, or that evidence of the commission of a relevant offence is to be found on the premise, and that section 52 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 is satisfied in relation to the premises
All other considerations from the Animal Welfare Act 2006 also apply.
Local authorities should advise each licence holder in writing 3 months before their licence expires that they will need to renew it.
The licence holder must apply for a renewed licence at least 10 weeks before their current licence expires if they wish to continue to operate the licensable activity without a break.
Local authorities must carry out an inspection of the premises before renewing the licence. The form of the inspection will depend on the licensable activity in question.
Consider the inspection report (and any response from the applicant) when deciding whether to renew the licence or not.
