Animal Boarding Licence

Applying for an Animal Boarding Licence

Applicants are advised to read the appropriate guidance notes before applying. If you wish to apply for a licence to home board animals, please consult the page on Home Boarding Licences. This can include caring for dogs solely during the day time and does not necessarily have to be overnight accomodation.

If your establishment is a kennels and/or cattery, please read West Lothian Council's guidance on the licence conditions for dog boarding establishments (PDF, 314 KB)(opens new window) and/ or cat boarding establishments (PDF, 589 KB)(opens new window)

Please note, separate applications are required and fees payable if you are operating both a kennels and cattery at the same premises.

Anyone wishing to apply must:

• complete a dog boarding licence application form (Word doc, 183 KB)(opens new window) and / or cat boarding application form (Word doc, 546 KB)(opens new window);
• return it via email or to the address on the application form; and
• pay the appropriate fee (PDF, 107 KB)(opens new window) online at 'Pay for it' - select 'Trading Standards' then 'Animal Welfare Licence'. Please contact us to obtain your reference number.

Upon application for a licence, which has not previously been granted, the premises must be inspected by a veterinary surgeon and a local authority officer.  For subsequent applications the local authority has discretion as to whether the inspection is carried out by a veterinary surgeon or a local authority officer or both.  A report following inspection shall be considered by the local authority before determining whether or not to grant a licence.

A separate invoice will be issued to cover the costs for the vet once the inspection has taken place.  On receipt of this being paid and the licence conditions being met your new licence will be sent out. 

Once issued, licences will run until the 31^st December of that year.  Licences run from 1^st January - 31^st December of any one year.

Licence renewal applications should be submitted as soon as possible after receiving a renewal reminder.

Eligibility Criteria

An applicant must not be disqualified from any of the following at the time of the application:

• Keeping an animal boarding establishment
• Keeping a pet shop under the Pet Animals Act 1951
• Keeping animals under the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
• Owning, keeping, being involved in the keeping or being entitled to control or influence the keeping of animals, dealing in animals or transporting or being involved in the transportation of animals under the Animals Welfare Act 2006

Waste Management at Animal Welfare Licensed Premises

Please see Expected standards for waste management at licensed animal welfare premises.